Cleaning Service Apps Can Change Your Cleaning Procedures

See increased efficiency, better and more consistent service quality, and improved accountability and safety with mobile tech.

As mobile technology continues to have an impact on the future of the commercial cleaning industry, arming your cleaners with mobile applications can drive significant benefits. Some contractors may have hesitations when providing mobile devices to their cleaners or having them use their own. But an Oxford Economics study concluded that nearly 75 percent of business leaders say mobile devices are essential to employee workflows. Of that group, 31 percent allow employees to use their personal phones for work and the other 69 percent provide devices to workers. We expect these numbers are only likely to increase further as businesses realise the benefits of arming their workforce with mobile devices.

To show you the value in your workforce carrying mobile devices and using mobile applications, here’s a look at a day in the life of a facility cleaner using Lighthouse, a mobile app from TEAM Software that manages workforce efficiency and provides contractors a way to continuously monitor movement and work.

10:00 a.m. 

The cleaner arrives to work and collects a mobile device from the main office. They log in to the Lighthouse mobile app.

Benefits: The login process removes manual timesheet and payroll processes.

10:03 a.m.

The cleaner also grabs a set of keys and a two-way radio, then snaps a photo of their ID using the Lighthouse app and hits submit.

Benefits: The added accountability for hardware and keys provides better record keeping if items go missing.

10:06 a.m.

The cleaner opens the app and views their assigned daily tasks.

Benefits: Cleaners are accountable for completing required tasks, which they can create, view and modify from anywhere in real-time.

10:08 a.m.

The cleaner closes the app and begins their cleaning rounds.

Benefits: Even when closed, the app is using Bluetooth beacons to record how long the cleaner is spending in each area. It’s also recording compliance with agreed rotation times and triggering alerts for missed rotations. This provides valuable efficiency and compliance data that can be used for workforce optimisation.

10:15 a.m.

The cleaner completes the required cleaning tasks in the lobby, then uses the mobile app to check off the completed tasks. The cleaner notices a loose floor tile and uses the mobile app to capture and submit written details and a photo. The facility manager receives an instant notification informing them of the issue’s location and details.

Benefits: The process provides for accountability for completing tasks, accurate records for clients, and automates workflows to identify and resolve cleaning and maintenance issues.

12:51 p.m.

The cleaner receives an app notification and message from the supervisor alerting them of an overflowing trash can in the bathroom. An issue is created and assigned to the cleaner and they leave the rotation to address the issue. The cleaner empties the rubbish bin, picks up debris from the floor and closes out the issue as resolved. The supervisor then receives a notification the issue is resolved, and the entire issue workflow and associated data are captured in the Lighthouse reports feature.

Benefits: Real-time messaging and mobile issue management improves response times and provides an audit trail. Supervisors can better manage ad-hoc issues and the impact on daily cleaning tasks and rotations.

1:06 p.m.

The cleaner returns to their regular rotation and resumes working through daily tasks.

4:15 p.m.

The supervisor and the client conduct a weekly audit using the Lighthouse mobile app. Through scores, comments and photos recorded with the app, they’re able to review the quality of cleaning across the facility. A report is then generated, and the audit is shared in the Lighthouse activity feed.

Benefits: Regular auditing helps understand the quality of services delivered and helps supervisors understand where they need to improve. The reports generated help track quality over time and compare performance with other facilities.

6:00 p.m.

The cleaner returns to the cleaning office. They end their shift using the app, then log out and return the phone to the charging station.

Benefits: The entire shift, including visits to areas within the facility, are recorded in the reports. The supervisor can also access on-demand shift reports, task submissions, issue reports and audit reports.

Weekly Benefits: The supervisor reviews the Lighthouse Service Reports and has clear visibility of service activity, exceptions (missed rotations), audit scores, tasks completed, shift activity, service efficiency and hours worked. The supervisor uses this information to make decisions that improve service quality and efficiency over time. The transparency also improves customer satisfaction and retention.

As workplace reliance on mobile devices grows across all industries, it’s important to consider the value these advances can bring to your company, and which mobile applications provide the most benefit when it comes to your cleaning-specific needs.