The new reality of restroom cleaning
We’ve all had the same frightening experience at one time or another: you walk into an establishment having to use the restroom, only to discover it’s an unsightly mess that leaves you wondering if you were better off seeking the privacy of a back alley. Needless to say, your desire to ever re-visit the premises hits an all-time low.
An unattended dirty washroom. <Photo credit: arcurrent.com>
While in the past the worst-case scenario was leaving with a bad taste in your mouth, or perhaps even excluding the establishment as your go-to for food or any other goods or services offered, today is a much different playing field.
The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated that clean facilities are no longer a luxury, but rather a necessity. Setting aside the relevance of public perception for a moment, there are now more significant risks at stake to any facility manager.
First and foremost, there are cleaning standards that are expected to be met. Previously we relied upon paper-based forms to track who and when cleaned a restroom or a public area, and what activities were performed during the cleaning process. The same tired, forlorn, sheet of paper hung haphazardly on the inside of the restroom door awaiting an illegible signature to indicate the restroom was clean and up to the standards of the facility and the general public.
Today this approach is no longer acceptable. COVID-19 has affected the entire planet and proper cleaning is no longer just about perception, but personal safety and potential liability if cleaning standards are not met. The cruise line industry is already facing this reality, and winning customers back after the COVID-19 curve flattens out will be a tough proposition without convincing them that new measures are in place to ensure the highest of cleaning standards. Otherwise, the risk to public and personal safety is simply too high.
Technology is increasingly becoming the answer to the new reality we face in light of COVID-19. And specifically, IoT or Internet of Things technology which facilitates data collection on all aspects of cleaning and meeting high standards. Real-time information on what was cleaned, when, by whom, the resources used, and the amount of traffic observed is now available through products like Visionstate’s WANDA solution. It provides protection to both the customer and the facility.
Visionstate’s WANDA™ is installed at public spaces to help facility manager better control the effectiveness and efficiency of the building.
Of course, the movement toward IoT is also driven by public perception, which in most cases is the determining factor between success and failure. In the past we may have left a poorly maintained facility with a bad taste in our mouths; today we ask ourselves if perhaps we contracted a disease that will affect our well-being.
Clearly, the investment into IoT far outweighs the alternative. In fact, it’s a cheap price to pay considering it affects both lives and potential liability.
Visionstate Corp. Product Wins CSSA Innovation Award; Prestigious UK Cleaning Industry Award (WANDA)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA – Visionstate™ Corp. (TSX VENTURE:VIS) is pleased to share that it’s WANDA™ IoT smart touchscreen solution for managing public spaces has won a top award for innovation in the cleaning industry. The Visionstate technology beat out some of the cleaning industry’s most advanced technology that were competing for the top prize at the Cleaning & Support Services Association (CSSA) Innovation Showcase, an event celebrating the industry’s most innovative products, services and initiatives.
Prior to the Innovation Showcase event, top companies from across the UK presented their most innovative cleaning solutions to a “Dragons Den” panel of experts, vying to be part of the Innovation Showcase. The judging format gave each company 25 minutes to convince the experts from CSSA and CHSA (Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association) that they had the most innovative product.
Eight companies were selected to proceed to the final award round, including Bunzl, Rubbermaid, Unger, Ice, DorsaVi and others. Judging took place at the CSSA Innovation event on March 15, 2018 in London, England, where 140 cleaning industry professionals from 21 companies across the UK gathered.
Ultimately Visionstate’s WANDA technology was recognized with the 2018 Innovation Award. Visionstate’s partner and primary distributor of WANDA, Bunzl, was on hand to accept the award. Charlotte Parr, Account Director at Bunzl, said “WANDA is a very innovative product. It is an interactive washroom tablet that allows us to make informed and educated decisions on our cleaning processes based on real time data and client perception.”
The CSSA is dedicated to driving innovation in the cleaning industry and is the only organization that singularly represents the UK contract cleaning industry. The next CSSA Innovation Showcase is expected to take place in 2020.
Visionstate Corp. Announces Hiring of Director of Marketing and Communications
EDMONTON, Alberta, March 26, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Visionstate Corp. (TSX VENTURE:VIS) is pleased to announce the addition of Christine Beuchert to its executive team, in the newly created position of Director of Marketing and Communications.
Christine brings a wealth of communications, strategic planning, digital marketing and brand development expertise to the Visionstate team. Prior to this, she had budget responsibility overseeing advertising, marketing strategy and corporate communications as Senior Director of Marketing at Marcus Hotels. Her expertise in digital development and transformation for the hospitality industry will be a valuable asset as our hospitality targeted CINDI solution with integrated artificial intelligence becomes market ready.
Her experience includes developing corporate marketing strategies and launch campaigns for new products and solutions, cultivating strategic partnerships, and leading successful product development initiatives. Christine has managed corporate media relations and PR, which will be valuable in gaining media and industry attention focused on Visionstate’s solutions.
“As the organization grows rapidly in size and scope, we require senior marketing expertise to tell our brand story and market our solutions globally,” explained John Putters, CEO of Visionstate Corp. “Christine’s background and extensive industry expertise will be invaluable to us in developing and launching new solutions and generating overall awareness of Visionstate.”
The appointment reflects the growing need for clear and comprehensive marketing and communication strategies that will generate industry awareness and support sales efforts and partnerships as Visionstate continues to add new solutions, technologies and companies to its portfolio.
Visionstate Corp. Signs Letter of Intent to Invest in Exceed Solar
Visionstate™ Corp. (TSX VENTURE:VIS) Visionstate (or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a letter of intent with Edmonton-based Exceed Solar Inc. (“Exceed Solar”) to acquire 30% of the business in a cash and share transaction (the “Transaction”).
The transaction demonstrates Visionstate’s commitment to expanding and diversifying its technology portfolio. “We are pleased to be partnering with Exceed Solar,” said Visionstate Corp. CEO John Putters. “They are developing new products that have huge potential to transform the economics of residential housing. This investment brings new alternative energy technology and further diversification to our portfolio. I’m also excited for potential synergies in product development with Visionstate Inc.”
Exceed Solar specializes in alternative energy applications and is poised to be a disruptive force in the housing industry. They recently unveiled plans to create modular, prefabricated living spaces that use solar-powered technology and are net-zero energy capable. These modules, called “Sol Spaces”, are customizable, affordable and can be assembled by the owner. Pre-orders are currently available and product roll out is expected later this year. Additional information about Exceed Solar can be found at www.exceedsolar.com.
“We are thrilled that Visionstate Corp. will be investing in our company,” said Exceed Solar Co-Founder and Director of Sales and Marketing, Stanton Pawchuck. “Visionstate management understands our passion for the environment and supports our approach to developing sustainable and affordable housing. Their experience with startups will help us achieve our goal of disrupting the traditional housing industry.”
Visionstate Corp.’s objective is to diversify the Company’s product portfolio by investing in high growth and synergistic opportunities in areas including artificial intelligence, blockchain and sustainability-related technologies.
For instance, Exceed Solar’s modular and bio-friendly units could be enhanced with sensors for measurement of energy generation and usage, thereby leveraging Visionstate’s existing building monitoring technologies.