PSIwebware Blog

PSIwebware helps you run your buildings better.

Go Green with Paperless Facility Management

September 22nd, 2009

Reducing paper consumption has gained in priority for many facilities trying to improve their “Green” initiatives.  One effective way to “Go Green” in your facility operations is to go paperless.

Mobile technology, such as Blackberry cell phones or “Smart Phones”, can mean no more hand written inspection forms or work order “tickets”.  Mobile technology used by today’s Preventive Maintenance Software and Cleaning Business Software reduces the duplication of effort and improves work quality.  This provides more immediate access to information and helps your managers spend more time creating solutions instead of charts.

Tracking work performance can be updated in real time and Client Requests can be sent to supervisors in the field so clients can be taken care of immediately.  Failed inspections results also get sent to supervisors automatically.  This makes corrective action response time a lot faster, which makes clients a lot happier.

Why Use Preventive Maintenance Software?

September 18th, 2009

Preventive Maintenance Software packages are designed to help you manage the maintenance of your facilities, buildings assets and equipment.  Using preventive maintenance software allows you to improve daily and long-term maintenance operations.

Optimal ROI is achieved when your assets are running properly.  Preventive Maintenance Software programs increase productivity through work scheduling and performance monitoring.  This reduces repair costs and production downtime, providing consistent performance of critical assets.

Preventive Maintenance Software can help reveal potential breakdowns before they happen so they can be prevented and also helps to record all essential information such as purchase dates, service contracts and dates for equipment replacement.  Inventory Control tracks all tools and assets necessary to achieve high performance levels.

Basic functionality will include automated work orders, scheduling preventive maintenance, tracking assets and creating purchase orders. Other features include using hand-held pda devices as well as barcode scanning.

Preventive Maintenance Software will improve customer satisfaction and increase production capabilities within your organization.

Blackberry Inspections: The way to go!

September 3rd, 2009

Converting from paper-based janitorial inspections to electronic inspections is clearly a more efficient way to go.  With the popularity of the Blackberry and other Smart Phone devices, performing an inspection has never been easier.

With a blackberry, you only have to carry one device for phone, email, texting, organizing, and inspecting janitorial work.  As we know, Blackberrys are light, durable and readily available.

Information from the Blackberry is saved into Cleaning Business Software after completing an inspection.  The inspection can be customized based on building, room, room type, etc. and deficiencies are tracked with options to pass, fail, correct, and notify the manager.  Data is then sent instantly into a web-based software system for further analyzation and reporting.

The results are a time saving, cost effective, and efficient process for inspectors converting from a paper-based system to electronic via BlackBerry smartphones.

What is Green Cleaning?

September 3rd, 2009

As the buzz words ‘Green Cleaning’ are receiving more and more attention, we thought it would be beneficial to stop and see what all the hype is about.

What is Green Cleaning?  It is simply a growing trend, using methods and products that are environmentally friendly.  Chemicals and ingredients used in green cleaning help preserve the quality of human health and the environment, avoiding the use of chemically-reactive and toxic ingredients.   These products may have various toxic chemicals that emit volatile organic compounds that can cause respiratory and dermatological problems among other adverse effects.

As we learn more about the harmful effects of these toxic chemicals, the commercial green cleaning industry and need for LEED compliance and green-based buildings is growing rapidly.  Utilizing tools like Janitorial Management Software to track utilization and provide new work instructions, companies are providing efficient, eco-friendly products and services to their customers.

Green cleaning also describes the way cleaning products are manufactured, packaged and distributed.  When the manufacturing process is environmentally-friendly and the products are biodegradable, then the terms “green” or “eco-friendly” are used.

Maximizing recycling initiatives, while reducing water & electricity consumption through proven techniques helps save time, money and energy.  Green Cleaning is an exciting way we can help preserve the earth for future generations to come!

LEED Certification: Green Cleaning Products

September 3rd, 2009

Many companies working toward LEED certification are switching to Green Cleaning products and services to save thousands of dollars in costs and integrate environmental benefits for their facilities.  Green Seal Certified products help janitorial companies decrease pollutant spread and improve air quality.

Green Seal and EcoLogo certified product lines are made with 100% renewable ingredients for Earth Friendly Commercial Cleaning Solutions.  Using certified janitorial chemicals and equipment for general purpose cleaning benefits building operations and the indoor environment.

Paper products are also an important resource for Green Cleaning.  Recycled contents and paper products have major impacts on sustainable forest management and global certification programs.  Items like janitorial Paper Tissues and Towels(GS-1 , GS-9) are Green Seal products that are bleached without the use of chlorine or harmful materials.

Effective tracking and utilization of environmentally sound materials and procedures can be facilitated by Janitorial Software.  Using effective green programs and products in the commercial business promotes green communication within building occupants.  This allows members to be a part of the process to ensure a healthy cleaning environment.

CMMS Software Implementation

August 28th, 2009

Many corporations are looking to their software provider or consultants to handle the implementation process of their facility maintenance software.  This is the fastest way to get their software up and running.

It is important to select CMMS Software that is customizable or one that offers enhancement modules for program expansion once you get the system running.  This will allow flexibility for users to adapt and learn the software before expanding to a more complex version.

Implementation requires a naming system to be set up for your equipment and preventive maintenance tasks.  When setting up your equipment naming system, remember to make it simple and meaningful so everyone in your facility will be able to recognize it.

The next step for implementation would include the entry of inventory data.  Facility Supervisors should take an active part while training users of their CMMS system and the maintenance department should understand the system well before switching entirely to the new system.

Everyone plays a vital role in making the system work.  To get the most from your new tool, it should be used on a daily basis and updated to increase efficiency and accountability.

What is CIMS and How Can It Help You?

August 19th, 2009

CIMS stands for the Cleaning Industry Management Standard, which was developed by ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association and the AICS – the American Institute for Cleaning Sciences.  It was created as a consensus-based process taking requirements from the cleaning, facilities management, and purchasing areas.

If a company is CIMS compliant, that means they are structured to deliver consistent quality cleaning services to their customer.  A CIMS compliant company has met comprehensive standards with their systems, processes, and documentation. There is no better measurement or benchmark of excellence with which to evaluate an organization today.

Preparing for CIMS helps companies become more organized, and gives them the opportunity to look at all of their business processes at once, seeing all of the connections perhaps for the first time.  The real benefit is higher levels of consistency in everything that is done within the organization, which leads to better service and lower costs.

One of the challenges of CIMS certification is having active systems in place to ensure everything goes as planned and that there is adequate documentation to prove it.  Companies turn to Janitorial Software to help them stay organized, even as staff changes, and provide the level of control they need to achieve their objectives.

Save Time and Money with Web-Based CMMS Software

August 19th, 2009

Everyone these days is expected to be everywhere all the time!  Using the internet, we can stay connected, which is why web-based software is so popular.

Save Time

One of the largest time savings for management staff is notifications.  They don’t have to chase after answers anymore, because their CMMS Software tells them about important issues they need to know.  This is accomplished by actively tracking work performance live, which can prove work was completed while understanding employee performance much better.

Since most employees are familiar with using the internet, they usually don’t require as much training.  You staff can even be trained over the Internet, saving them considerable time and saving you money.

Save Money

No additional hardware or software needs to be purchased or installed.  The only requirement is a web browser and internet connection, which is standard for most computers.

The technology is more universal and upgrades are available, usually as part of the service – which means Free!  Maintenance and development are also easier and cheaper as problems are identified and fixed remotely, speeding up the process.

Make Your Job Easier

Web-based software can be used from anywhere, whether you’re working from home, at a client’s office, or on the road using mobile technology such as your cell phone.

You can manage your operations without being in there, which saves you time and money.

Barcoding Saves Time & Money

August 18th, 2009

In today’s fast moving facilities, keeping track of Employees, Quality, and Inventory is a time consuming process.  Plus, there are significant challenges verifying the accuracy of that information.

Barcoding your facility can increase your organizational capabilities when combined with CMMS Software or Janitorial Business Software to help your team track performance and make smart decisions.

Employee

Using barcodes, you can easily verify work performed by your janitorial and maintenance staff.  You will know when a task begins and ends, plus who did the work.  You can also determine the travel time between tasks to better understand route schedules and employee efficiency.

Verifying work performance will help you provide better training procedures and cut down costs.  Many Facility Mangers are responsible for multiple buildings.  By knowing the time it takes for employees to get to different buildings, you can optimize route schedules by reducing travel time to cut labor and fuel costs.

Quality

Facility Managers are asked difficult quality questions.  Was the inspector actually there?  What exactly are you inspecting?  Was that the correct area to inspect?

If you use barcodes with CMMS Software or Janitorial Business Software, you can easily answer those questions.  Mobile devices will time stamp inspections and automatically display the exact location & inspection criteria for the Inspector. Whether it is an inspection based on cleanable items in a room or check points for a piece of equipment, mobile devices with barcode capabilities will save inspection time, provide more accurate inspections, and verify inspection performance.

Inventory

Many facilities are affected by limited space, supply shrinkage, and heavy consumption.  Inventory management systems that use barcodes will provide accurate and timely information to assist you in managing those issues.  You will be able to track consumption, understand usage patterns, and better control supply shrinkage problems.

You will have alerts when inventory falls below minimum set points, and be able to track equipment location accurately to stop guessing where it went.

All of this adds up to saving management and labor time, which gives your team time to focus on making money in your facility.

7 Steps to Providing Remarkable Customer Service

August 18th, 2009

Researchers say an unhappy customer will tell an average of ten people about their bad experience.  Usually twelve percent of them tell up to twenty people.

A satisfied customer will tell about five people about their positive experience.   This means bad news spreads a whole lot faster than good news.

Great service strengthens customer satisfaction and can turn ordinary clients into long-term clients.  Here are a few ways to increase your customer satisfaction:

  1. Be Accountable – effectively use good Maintenance Management Software or Cleaning Business Software to track work performance and client requests.
  2. Listen to your Customers – be knowledgeable and work to help them find solutions
  3. Be Dedicated – follow up consistently to meet their needs
  4. Be Respectful – even when they may frustrate you
  5. Go Above and Beyond – don’t just focus on immediate profit, give them more than they expect
  6. Be Genuine and Personalized – take time to customize all correspondence, whether they are notes, emails, or letters
  7. Show them you Care – Throw in something extra, whether its additional info on the use of a product or a genuine smile.  Make sure they feel appreciated.

The experience of a customer is affected every day you provide service.  A satisfied client will provide positive feedback, help you make more money, and even help you get new clients.