Keeping UCalgary clean is not solely about ensuring a good impression. The values of innovation and research that shape the organization, also shape UCalgary’s caretaking program.

As an ISSA-certified, Cleaning Industry Management Standard – Green Building (CIMSGB)-accredited organization and a trusted industry leader, UCalgary seeks out and embraces new technologies, such as autonomous machinery for use in caretaking operations to enhance the services provided to the campus community.

The caretaking team approached the use of autonomous equipment as an opportunity to set UCalgary apart and realized the potential to provide opportunities for staff to grow their skillsets and stay ahead of the curve. Staff processes evolve with technology and early adoption of viable solutions ensures the development of a competent and a technically advanced workforce.

Ensuring a smooth implementation

Staff comfort, training, and the ability to use robotic equipment were all priorities for UCalgary, and the main drivers in selecting appropriate technology partners. Provider of autonomous cleaning solutions Nilfisk enabled successful integration of robotics into UCalgary’s caretaking program. The key to getting the most value out of Nilfisk’s autonomous scrubber-drier, the Nilfisk Liberty SC50, lay in focused onboarding efforts, which took caretaking staff and key stakeholders through an engaging process of developing a plan for how the Nilfisk Liberty SC50 would be utilized.

The evolution from traditional stand-on scrubbers to fully autonomous machinery has been smooth for UCalgary staff. The benefit of prior experience and similar control platform, shape and size helped ease the transition. NIlfisk Liberty SC50 is similar to existing scrubbers and extractors in UCalgary’s fleet in terms of its shape and size, so it fit readily with existing infrastructure and janitorial facilities.

A new professional standard

Staff leveraged their newfound understanding of Nilfisk Liberty SC50’s underlying technology to develop a standard service level across the entire organization, elevated their skill set and cleaning processes, and incorporated autonomous cleaning into the team’s culture.

The equipment’s flexibility also allows UCalgary to incorporate the robotic machinery into the existing caretaking program and optimizes resources. Running the machinery during the night shift ensures minimal interruption to activity on campus at peak times. Daily reports allow the team to evaluate cleaning effectiveness and improve service levels to customers. Further, customizable program options such as route mapping, changing settings to accommodate UCalgary’s unique and congested spaces, and adjusting the routine as needed according to the season allowed staff to fully manage tasks in-house.

Supporting future success

Performance is constantly improving through use of the system’s tracking app, which provides comprehensive analytics that operators can use to optimize their programs, troubleshoot issues, and increase the flexibility of cleaning services. The UCalgary team has developed a feedback process alongside Nilfisk, which incorporated learnings and insight from two caretaking teams.

The robotics program has raised the bar in terms of how UCalgary cleans. Manpower and resources are allocated more effectively and efficiently to improve service delivery.