Last month, I travelled to Las Vegas to join thousands of other cleaning-geeks on our annual pilgrimage to the ISSA North America Trade Show. This event is held each fall and is an opportunity for thousands of professionals in the Cleaning Industry to get up close and personal with representatives & products from the world’s leading manufacturers of cleaning products, equipment and support systems.
For an industry in which innovation seems to mirror the Dark Ages for decades, things are suddenly getting exciting. Yes…I said it…things are getting EXCITING in the cleaning industry. And this is directly related to a shift in products and equipment that are becoming smarter, more user-friendly, and in some cases…even autonomous (not quite Jetsons…but close…more like a Roomba on steroids!)
With regard to “smarter” products, we are seeing everything from powered-equipment (floor scrubbers) to restroom dispensing systems becoming “smart-enabled” with the use of IOT (Internet of Things) that allow for real-time reporting and alerts. For example, a Day Porter or Site Supervisor could receive alerts to be informed that a specific soap-dispenser is less than 10% full. Or, an Operations Manager could track equipment activity and usage to ensure it’s being used properly at the job site.
In addition, more and more powered-equipment is going cordless via the use of advances with Lithium Batteries. Cordless = Higher Productivity, Elimination of Trip Hazards, and the freedom to clean the hard to reach spaces!
And lastly, robotics are coming to cleaning. Smart-technology enabled equipment with sensors and programmable routes are the first wave of truly autonomous equipment. We realize that this type of equipment is never going to truly replace the value and impact of a front-line cleaner. But, there will be some specific duties and functions that will be supported by robotic equipment.
For us cleaning-geeks, this is not only exciting…it is also important to surviving in a changing economy in which minimum wage is escalating towards $20 per hour over the next five years.
In our industry, Performance / Productivity / Safety are paramount to our survival and success.
I look forward to sharing more industry news and advancements in the coming years!
All the Best - Greg