The cleaning and thorough sanitation of facilities is an absolute must, according to Public Health England. As consumers have fully embraced convenient technology in the past year, businesses and facilities have also needed to adapt to the latest technologies to facilitate a better experience for clients. So what are the latest technological trends in sanitation and building management?
Predictive Technology
A proactive approach is a necessity to ensure that a business or building remains in working order. In the past, the norm was to have a set schedule of maintenance staff physically going on inspections. While this does help to keep things in shape, it also results in having certain services, like elevators, unusable while the inspections take place. This has changed with the advent of smart buildings that run predictive software. Instead of having teams of staff physically going to an inspection, they are sent a live-feed status on the wear and tear of different parts of a building. This provides building owners with an opportunity to cut on labour costs while keeping their facilities in the best condition possible.
Robots And UV Lights
Around 83% of UK workers want robots to take over hazardous work, according to the International Federation of Robotics. It seems that those involved with sanitation are listening well. Robotics now play an integral part in the deep cleaning and sanitation of buildings, offices and businesses. Some good examples are the use of Ultraviolet Light on robots that go on routes during set times to ensure surfaces are free of germs without coming into contact with humans. This technology is currently being used by hospitals, as it limits contact between individuals while cleaning rooms and hallways. Nanotechnology is also used to kill pathogens through nanocrystals on newly developed surfaces.
Remote Control And Access
The past year has highlighted the need for operations to be flexible in order for businesses to survive. Facility management is no different. The development of sensor technology now enables facility management tasks to be conducted remotely. Asset tagging, security, equipment monitoring, and inventory management can all be done remotely. This gives more freedom for building managers to get more tasks done, as they no longer need to physically be on the premises to do their rounds. It also gives a good opportunity to reduce operational costs, as relevant files are held on a cloud and no longer need to be printed out and held in secured storage. Ultimately, remote control and access also keep facility management safer, as it helps them to minimise their contact with others if they so choose.
Both sanitation and building management are stepping into the forefront when it comes to technological advances. With the public wanting to feel more secure in the coming months, it is smart for business and building owners to suitably invest in technologies to make it possible. The next few months will be a good predictor of what particular technological trends will stick and reign over sanitation and facility management.