Category Archives: Transitioning into Digitalisation

Digitalisation in building services represents a paradigm shift, leveraging technology to optimise operations, enhance efficiency, and elevate service quality. It encompasses the integration of software tools, data-driven decision-making, and mobile applications to streamline service delivery and improve user experience.

Technology for Janitorial Services

Leave a reply

Integrating technology, a pervasive force in modern state-of-the-art buildings brings numerous benefits to janitorial services. In commercial and residential properties, these services are of paramount importance. High-rise buildings, designed with cutting-edge technologies to enhance the quality of life and business operations, rely heavily on the safety and well-being of all individuals within the premises. The janitorial services portfolio caters to these critical requirements. Conventional work methodologies have evolved to foster a safer and healthier environment. Adopting technology in cleaning equipment and appliances has not just advanced but has revolutionised the maintenance of building infrastructures. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has notably accelerated the transformative journey toward sustainability, and technology integration is a crucial driver of this progress.
This discourse not only delineates the common application domains suitable for embracing technology-driven transformations but also underscores the pivotal role of the Facility Manager. By judiciously selecting the appropriate technology for the facility, they are not just making a choice but actively shaping their buildings’ future. This approach empowers the Facility Manager and makes them feel responsible for the technological advancements in their respective buildings.

  • Robotic applications in typical challenge areas for cleaning –

Building façade cleaning
 Drainage network cleaning
 Air duct cleaning
 Confined spaces –
Underground and Overhead Water Tank Cleaning
Underground Fuel Storage Tank Cleaning
 Cleanroom sanitation

Exploring appropriate innovative cleaning regimes across various areas is crucial to achieving optimal results and controlling costs.
 Amenities (Swimming Pool, Theatre/Conference Hall, Sports facilities), Facility Occupancy
 Cafeteria (Refrigeration, Storage, Kitchen, Seat area), restrooms,
 Escalators, Stairwells
 Carpet extraction
 Floor cleaning – Vacuuming, Sweeping, Mopping, Scrubbing

Buyer’s Guide for a Facility Manager?
 Define needs statement
 Concerns
o Safety
Health and Hygiene
o Cyber Security
o Environmental impacts,
o Occupancy and Time management, Customer satisfaction
 Ease of access and use of new technology
 Janitorial management software providing
Predictive Analytics and activity scheduling
o Resource planning and mapping utilisation
o Information traceability
o Reporting dashboard
o Tracking compliances – SLA, Regulatory and Statutory guidelines
o Customer Feedback Analytics
o KPI monitoring
 Interoperability of IoT devices working with different systems and sub-systems
 Resource utilisation – Water, Energy, Person-hour, Costs

Information required from the site
 Surface area schedule
 Architectural measurements of the building
 Type of surfaces
 Facility purpose
 Occupancy
 Criticality and Priority areas
 Working hours

Advancements in technology have positively impacted the management of cleaning services, leading to improved service delivery and environmental sustainability, ultimately boosting business profitability. The challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic have also sparked new opportunities for multifaceted business growth.
Today, the challenge is to make intelligent choices about improvising the best purpose-built technology into conventional service regimes.

Business Sectors in SL Consulting

Case Study: Air-gapped network for Helpdesk and Job Order Management

Leave a reply

Challenge:

As construction of the Corporate Office facility transitioned to the entire operation, occupancy skyrocketed to 70%. With the Integrated Workplace Management System (IWMS) still in development, a surge in service requests, complaints, and inaccuracies overwhelmed manual processes. Data privacy concerns further limited third-party involvement in digitalisation efforts.

 Information and data boundaries:

  • Third-party collection of asset and employee-specific data was restricted due to privacy and security policies.

Solution:

 An air-gapped network, completely isolated from external connections, was designed to address these challenges. This ensured data security while enabling efficient service management.

 Approach to architecture framework and solutions:

  • Target data and service
    • Building asset and locational data
    • Criticality and SLA-based classification of assets and services
    • Response and resolution information
    • Key Performance Indicators
      • Job Requests per month
      • Resolved Job Requests within SLA-based timeframes
      • Deferred and unresolved/unattended job requests
      • Resources, person-hours and costs associated per job request
      • Customer Satisfaction
    • Management
      • Software selection
        • Helpdesk ticketing and workflow management
        • Asset Management
        • Mobile applications
        • Interoperability with BMS, IWMS
        • User-friendly and customisable
        • Future upgrades
        • Associated costs – day one implementation, annual support, future upgrades
      • Software application
        • Asset criticality
        • Compliance with SLA and KPI-based analytics
        • Analytics to classify and indicate the real-time status of Job request
        • Location-based service capabilities and Geographic information system
      • Communication network
        • Network selection
          • Network coverage and reliability
          • Network bandwidth and latency
          • Scalability
          • Customer Support
          • Costs associated
        • Wired and Wireless Cellular network – 5G
        • Unlimited end-user interfaces on desktop and mobile handset
      • Knowledge Management Framework
        • Historical data-based trend analysis
        • Real-time data trending
        • Real-time dynamic information management
        • Predictive analysis
        • Forecasting demand energy, footfall, service requests
      • Resources
        • On-site SERVER
        • Helpdesk Operator to provide 24/7 coverage
      • Security
        • Private Cloud – Deployment of a dedicated on-site server for employee and asset-specific information.
        • Personally Identifiable Information and building asset data encryption, identity management, and role-based access control to the network.
        • Geo-fenced, access-controlled mobile/tablet application for the Facility Operations Service team.
        • Compliance and alignment with Information Security and Management Systems (ISMS standards – ISO 27000 family of standards and guidelines).

Project Assessment:

  • Networking protocols:
    • Secure and standardised protocols minimised vulnerabilities.
  • On-site data storage:
    • The private cloud ensures complete data control and security.
  • Carrier choice:
    • Site-specific considerations like availability and latency informed carrier selection.
  • Benefits:
    • Significant improvements in service quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness were observed, along with enhanced customer satisfaction.
  • Challenges:
    • Execution complexities, Higher initial costs and ongoing management considerations exist.

Quantified Benefits:

  • 25% reduction in average service response time
  • 30% decrease in monthly service requests due to predictive maintenance
  • 15% improvement in customer satisfaction scores

Conclusion:

Despite initial challenges, this air-gapped network transformed service management within the facility. Data security was preserved while achieving significant operational efficiencies and cost savings, demonstrating the effectiveness of innovative solutions in overcoming complex problems.