Interview partner FacilityApps in Clean Totaal in preparation for Cleaning Golf Day
"A lot will change in the cleaning industry in the coming years"
Every year on the third Tuesday of September the Cleaning Golf Day is organised, where FacilityApps has been a partner for years. This edition Clean Totaal is involved as media partner. Together with the ambassadors and main sponsors we look ahead to the informal and sporty industry event and discuss the latest developments of the organisation. This is the first part with app developer FacilityApps.
If there is one word that describes FacilityApps, it is evolution. A lot is expected from an application developer; drive for innovation and performance where the pace is always high. "We try to continuously develop with monthly releases, new functionalities and improvements to the platform so that the cleaner will eventually have one app for everything instead of five different ones", says director Dirk Tuip who also switches through directly.
Cooperation and integration with Nocore
"Over the past year we have worked hard in cooperation with Nocore. This has made object data, person data and documents available in our app. The latest development in this is the work order app. So a work order can be created in the Nocore ERP, sent via FacilityApps to the object, and then, after completion, sent back to Nocore for invoicing. One system for the office and one app for the cleaner, made workable through invisible connections."
Developing the cleaning industry together
For FacilityApps this is the fifth year that the organisation is involved as ambassador at the National Cleaning Golf Day. According to Tuip a logical step, because "there are not really events where the cleaning industry comes together in a more informal atmosphere. It is a nice day to spar with each other in a different way than usual about how to move the industry forward."
He continues: "through meeting, conversations, conviviality and sparring you come further together. To encourage that, we always try to frame our participation with an innovative tool, we were the first in the industry to show the possibilities of Google Glass during the Golf Day. Sometimes we complain too much with each other. But if you want a better industry, you have to start with yourself and a bit with such a day. These are the moments to sound out your own unique voice within the industry. We must ultimately do it together."
FacilityApps at the basis of change in the cleaning process
For the coming years Tuip sees enough challenges and changes that are relevant for the industry. "A lot will change, if only in application use. Look at our cooperation with Nocore. App development and web development are two completely different disciplines. Nocore is now switching through with its own focus on web and our expertise on app. This is a golden combination, because it is the "best of both worlds."
Smart building and smart cleaning
For now cleaning is still too short-term focused according to Tuip. This stems from how our industry is shaped in relation to the assignment contracts. A lot will change in the coming years with contract changes. "In the new era a lot comes together", says Tuip who sees opportunities in abundance. "In the combination of building owner, user and facility services there are countless possibilities regarding the so-called Smart Building. The future is here, although it will take quite a while before there are concrete smart solutions on a large scale, with the exception of objects where prestige and hospitality play a prominent role. It is a interplay between multiple parties, a matter of trial and error and sometimes some luck."
For Tuip and associates the partnership with Nocore is just the beginning. From working groups there is great anticipation for new developments and therefore the implementation of the DKS app, real-time reports and the work order app will follow in the coming weeks. The Nocore Facility App will eventually contain all relevant capabilities desired on the work floor. "And we are not there yet. When facility partners start bundling their expertise and FacilityApps becomes the central point, then we will really make a difference", says Tuip who keeps his gaze constantly fixed on the future.