We are in the midst of a technological IT development that will also determine who gets which jobs in green and public space management. Dirk Tuip of FacilityApps looks into the crystal ball of technology.
Tuip predicts significant cost savings in the sector: from the 10-15% already possible to up to 50% in some areas in the coming years. Technology will determine who gets which jobs.
Apps in green and gardeners
Three years ago Tuip switched from software development to specialising in workforce management apps. "We already see this happening in the cleaning industry. Contracting authorities ask: what apps do you have?"
Drones for gardeners and smart landscaping
Registering hours, consumption, ordering materials, inspections – all things that will change in the next five years. "Drones can already see things the naked eye cannot. The first parties in green are already experimenting."
Smart gardens
Besides smart buildings we will get smart gardens. "There are already plants that tweet when they are thirsty. You tap your app and get all relevant current information."
Internet of Things for gardeners
Tuip: "We are already connected to LoRa with a pilot of 200 waste containers. Sensors measure the distance between waste and lid. You know when to make a round and which bins to skip."
Big data landscaping
"We have step 4 in mind: big data. Workspace data is the new gold. The system will help think about improvements."
Mindset
The green sector must not want too much at once. Step 1: away with paper and how can I better inform the customer? FacilityApps offers modules on demand. Native apps have higher performance and work offline.