Smart Laundry

A trusted solution for ANY organisation looking to improve risk management, increase innovationand make meaningful data-driven decisions.

Affectli for smart laundry

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Typically, a laundry operation will be measured on its success by measurement and monitoring and by input vs output.

The Challenge

Historically, operators and management would receive a stream of numbers and alerts after the fact, when boilers fail and machinery is not operational, or when deliveries are not fulfilled.  

Typically, smart devices or machinery would have alarms and alerts software, operating in silos, bombarding operators with disparate information, and no automation of contextual data. 

They would have to send out delivery delay notifications, and reactively submit requests for technicians to repair machinery and service boilers.  The result is that businesses often react to daily crisis management, as opposed to service delivery through a more effective, planned, proactive and controlled approach to their operational challenges.

The Solution

In the Industrial Laundry sector, AFFECTLI is an effective solution for an industrial laundry facility.  Revolutionising the operations of entire industries, smart devices, data and system integrations allows commercial laundries to engage in smart washing and service delivery for improved operations. 

By engaging in a digitisation process, a business can integrate AFFECTLI to interconnected computing devices and machines that will allow individuals to transfer and receive data across a network, without resorting to human contact.

THE AFFECTLI ORCHESTRATION

AFFECTLI captures real time data that every device is capable of sending data throughout the entire range of operational activities in one single command and control centre. The platform digests all that data and presents it into geographically and statistically organised dashboards that are developed according to the customer’s needs. It also processes that data in the background in a management instruction system grafted on the organisation’s standard operating procedures raising instantaneous alerts when procedures and normal patterns of behaviour are not met.

This voluminous data is presented in clear dashboard aggregates that will allow any business to assess the performance of its own operations against the targets it sets itself as well as compare relative performance of its partners against the partner’s own targets and against each other. It will also allow for the timely issue of instructions for reactions to emerging situations acting across the barriers between itself and its partners and between the partners themselves where it is to its benefit to do so.

An industrial concern will be able to ensure that its clients achieve their supply chain objectives, that they are able to monitor and manage customer satisfaction goals through analysis of customer behaviour, and finally, manage its HR/workforce and contracted employment complement in order to ensure that efficiency is primary out of the organisations and can be accounted for and losses prevented and bottom line affected positively.

To ensure proactive operational management, an industrial laundry digitisation would be able to improve its operational efficiencies and apply best business practices while minimising downtime to providing uninterrupted services and improved customer satisfaction.  The implementation of AFFECTLI will enable management to be more efficient in monitoring and managing temperatures of boilers, water usage and monitoring and further along the line, distribution management.

The client´s IoT endpoints and assets and all the required variables would be integrated and captured into the AFFECTLI platform to give an overview of the business in real-time using GIS and geo-reporting tools. 

Within the Situational Awareness feature of AFFECTLI, icons representing the client’s assets change colour when a fault occurs (such as overheating boilers, or tanks running low of water) or an alarm is triggered when lights are left off or drier doors are not closed properly) making it easier to identify and address problems as and when they arise. The status colour changes in real time, as the issues are resolved or escalated.

Pre-defined parameters enable processes to manually or automatically be started, when alarms are triggered.  These processes are in the form of a work card / or tickets which are generated and sent to the nearest and most qualified service agent for attention. The bi-directional communication between the platform and smart devices also allows for AFFECTLI to switch devices on or off or communicate a relevant command to automatically rectify alarms, without human intervention.  (This is, of course, device dependent.)  With AFFECTLI supporting an agile environment, this feature also provides for contextual collaboration on all tasks, ensuring that the right people get the right information at the right time, as well as provides historical data and a full audit trail.

Having applied calculations to historical data received from signals and alarms, we are able to establish a predictive pattern of when a tank or boiler would be empty based on the rate of consumption.  We would also be able to assign technicians prior to service dates of drying / washing or ironing equipment, in order to schedule these routine service and maintenance tasks according to load schedules.

AFFECLI can be configured so that parameters are applied to the intelligence, to notify operators minutes or hours ahead of time that the tanks would be reaching critically low levels, providing tools for a proactive approach to avoid unnecessary service interruptions and emergency shutdowns.  Regular reports of water levels of tanks, temperatures and meter readings can be provided as and when required.  Published at incremental intervals that are relevant to the operational requirements, giving them an accurate overview of water level, temperature and other readings of their operations.

OUTCOMES AND OTHER AREAS OF OPERATION

In addition to the machinery and equipment on a more focussed front, AFFECTLI can be applied to the actual laundry process, with automated wash settings that don’t just save money and time – it’s also much better for the fabrics being laundered. In this regard, smart washing machines analyse load size and type, determining the amount of detergent to be used prior to the washing and drying process. 

This information is critical in consumables procurement planning as well as care for the customer’s garments or linens.  Furthermore, these smart machines also determine whether hot or cold water is most appropriate for each cycle and alert employees when each wash cycle is completed. In more sophisticated washer/dryer systems, anti-wrinkle measures, such as tumbling or steam, can be initiated without a manual prompt, and cycles can automatically be moved on from one cycle to another.  

Take this one step further, to client notification that their laundry is completed and ready for collection, based on time factors configured into the platform.  The information gathered from the disparate systems is processed in AFFECTLI to provide insights on how to optimise consumption and increase savings.  

This data is useful for making evidence based investments, and the positive effect on the bottom line through temperature and detergent regulation, can be significant.  To boot, a reduction in energy consumption and harmful substance emittance into the environment, contributes to the business sustainability objectives, leading to a positioning of industry leadership in GREEN operational principles.

When it comes to smart washing in commercial laundries, automation plays a significant role in reducing inefficiencies. By implementing an effective Digital Transformation solution like AFFECTLI that is agile and scalable, as well as device and system agnostic, it provides an organisation with smart technology and connected systems that are the very foundation for business efficiency.

More information on AFFECTLI’s features and capabilities, available here.