Digital innovations
Digital innovations
CoDE continues driving digital innovation
Alongside the changed requirements in respect of climate protection and sustainability, digitalisation is a driver of change in facility management. In response to these challenges, Klüh Multiservices established its own Center of Digital Excellence (CoDE) some years ago. With expertise in both technologies and the activities of the various divisions, the CoDE serves as the in-house partner to Klüh’s divisions in all aspects of the digital transformation.
By integrating sustainable technologies, Klüh has reinforced its position as a market innovator and, in 2022, it provided infrastructure services for modern and sustainable facility management in an evolving work environment.
FELIX FIEDLER
Head of Center of Digital Excellence
‘The digital experts in our Center of Digital Excellence maintain a constant dialogue with the business development teams in the divisions in order to translate business ideas and models into marketable services.’
New Klüh Eco System for Smart Services
In 2022, the CoDE continued to demonstrate its strength as the think tank for Klüh Multiservices and a key driver of innovation for Klüh’s business divisions, external partners and clients.
The Klüh Eco System for Smart Services has facilitated the further development of new business models such as service-on-demand. It is a 360-degree concept which combines communication, implementation, reporting and the IoT framework. Everyone involved in a process, especially clients, has real-time access to the data via a business intelligence dashboard. Analysis makes its possible to respond actively to changes and unusual situations. The system is dynamic, smart, efficient and transparent.
New Klüh Eco System for Smart Services
In 2022, the CoDE continued to demonstrate its strength as the think tank for Klüh Multiservices and a key driver of innovation for Klüh’s business divisions, external partners and clients.
The Klüh Eco System for Smart Services has facilitated the further development of new business models such as service-on-demand. It is a 360-degree concept which combines communication, implementation, reporting and the IoT framework. Everyone involved in a process, especially clients, has real-time access to the data via a business intelligence dashboard. Analysis makes its possible to respond actively to changes and unusual situations. The system is dynamic, smart, efficient and transparent.
The Klüh IoT framework – the core of service-on-demand business models
The Klüh Eco System for Smart Services leverages the possibilities offered by the Internet of Things or IoT. Klüh uses this to connect physical reality with the virtual world. IoT is one of the most important technological options for accelerating digital transformation in order to make buildings and facility management services more sustainable. Sensors make it possible to network cleaning machines, fridges, soap dispensers, doors, rooms, lifts and cars, for example, and to connect them with the internet.
Using Klüh’s proprietary IoT framework, the multiservice provider is able to identify, implement and forecast new services for clients. This IoT framework has made Klüh’s on-demand business models more efficient and highly integrated than other business models which do not deliver comparable performance so immediately.
At Klüh’s Digital Innovation Days in 2022, the CoDE offered selected clients and other interested parties the opportunity to explore the applications and functions of the Klüh Eco System for Smart Services.
Klüh’s digital status quo in 2022
With its proprietary DigiSolutions platform, Klüh ensures that internal processes are managed efficiently, optimised and secured sustainably and harmonised transparently.
Klüh’s website relaunch was also completed in June 2022. The new corporate website reflects current viewing habits and user experience standards. Its navigation is intuitive and the design responsive. The content has been updated, amended and expanded to provide users with the information they need.
Another development is that job applicants can now use WhatsApp to contact Klüh. Just one click is all it takes to start the application process which uses a virtual assistant to obtain the information relevant to the advertised vacancy in the language chosen by the candidate. Klüh is among the first in the industry to use this simplified application process.
DigiSolutions
Digitalisation in Cleaning, Catering and Security in 2022
Technological change and digitalisation have resulted in amended and improved processes in Klüh’s three core service divisions especially. In particular, the Klüh Eco System for Smart Services offers enormous potential for developing new business models. In Catering, these include an innovative stock management system, digital payment systems, waste management and the precise calculation of a meal’s environmental footprint and relevance to health. The CoDE is also working to continue establishing the use of cobotics and robotics in the individual service divisions and integrate them into the existing system landscape.
Digitalisation in Cleaning, Catering and Security in 2022
Technological change and digitalisation have resulted in amended and improved processes in Klüh’s three core service divisions especially. In particular, the Klüh Eco System for Smart Services offers enormous potential for developing new business models. In Catering, these include an innovative stock management system, digital payment systems, waste management and the precise calculation of a meal’s environmental footprint and relevance to health. The CoDE is also working to continue establishing the use of cobotics and robotics in the individual service divisions and integrate them into the existing system landscape.
Klüh’s Cleaning division impresses with smart cleaning services
Klüh’s Cleaning division impresses with smart cleaning services
In 2022, Klüh’s proprietary DigiClean® tool was used by 700 people at more than 100 clients. The application offers graphical service specifications, digital quality controls, client reporting, training videos and a dynamic run sheet. Used by the Cleaning and Clinic Service divisions, it visualises the entire cleaning process. As part of the Klüh Eco System for Smart Services and combined with sensor technology, the tool makes it possible to reduce costs while maintaining the same service levels, increasing quality and verifiably reducing CO2 emissions. Unnecessary cleaning operations can be eliminated and special services managed transparently. Paper reports are a thing of the past.
Coupled with the DigiService portal, DigiClean® contributes to greater customer satisfaction. DigiService is already integrated with Klüh’s IoT framework, enabling linked sensors to generate tickets automatically.
Digital measures make it possible to monitor the use of cleaning agents and other consumables. At the end of 2022, Klüh Cleaning entered into a partnership with Hailo Digital Hub, a specialist provider of digital waste solutions. Sensors are used to record data which are sent to the Klüh Eco System. The AI-supported data cloud transmits waste data such as filling levels and utilisation via an interface to the DigiService portal where they can be viewed by Cleaning employees and clients, enabling them to react accordingly. The data are also used as the basis for Klüh’s CSR and annual reports.
Sharing Klüh Catering’s digital expertise
In 2022, Klüh established Keros Consult GmbH as a means of sharing its extensive catering expertise, using digital systems specially developed for institutional catering operations. The consulting portfolio is aimed at optimising the processes used in company canteens, hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centres, residential care homes and homes for the elderly as well as by kindergarten and school caterers. Klüh’s software systems were previously deployed with success in more than 180 kitchens operated by Klüh Catering.
Among these are DigiSupply, a stock management program developed by Klüh in 2019/2020 which has already been proven in use. The program’s integrated data analyses makes its possible to identify current stock requirements and reliably calculate the amounts needed. A database holds more than 8,000 tried-and-tested recipes, with more being added all the time. To ensure legal certainty, we assume liability for these recipes which comply with Germany’s Food Information Regulation (LMIV).
Long before Germany mandated the switch to reusable products in January 2023, Klüh Catering was already using the Vytal multiuse system. Managed via the Klüh Catering App, Vytal’s reusable tableware has already enabled Klüh to eliminate more than 82,000 items of disposable packaging.
The Klüh payment app was developed to complement the familiar and proven Klüh Catering app. Each payment is charged to a virtual wallet. The app is programmed to take account of any subsidies that may apply.
In another new development by Klüh Catering, artificial intelligence was deployed at ‘seeing checkouts’ in company canteens. The fast and simple solution identifies all the items on a diner’s tray and transmits the information to the automated payment system.
Smart solutions are also used to support waste management at Klüh. As a member of the United Against Waste e. V. initiative, Klüh uses the online waste analysis tool developed by the UAW to measure the exact amounts of waste generated in catering operations. The tool can also report environmental indicators which show the climate-relevant data for water, production acreage and CO2 per kilogram of waste. Less waste means lower CO2 emissions and conserves resources.
2022 was also the year in which Klüh Catering launched its own podcast. In the first episode, Managing Director Thorsten Greth took listeners on a tour of the catering world, discussing subjects such as digitalisation and the use of robotics in the kitchen.
Follow the conversations (German version) at the kitchen table with Klüh Catering here!
Klüh Security runs IoT pilot project at Messe Düsseldorf
During the 2022 Caravan Salon at Messe Düsseldorf, a long-standing Klüh client, the CoDE and Klüh Security successfully ran a pilot project using the IoT framework. The primary focus was managing and protecting emergency exits.
A similar pilot project using the IoT framework was also conducted for another major client in the automotive industry, together with a live demonstration of an autonomous drone. This innovative airborne monitoring solution is an effective tool as part of an integrated protection concept. If a sensor in the IoT framework reports a movement, a drone can be dispatched automatically to the location and send live video of the situation. If necessary, DigiService can initiate intervention by security personnel.
Security ensured by sensor technology
Special sensors installed in the doors recognise immediately if an emergency exit has been opened. This is reported directly to the security experts via the IoT framework. This makes it possible to prevent unauthorised third-party access to the trade fair site.
Klüh Service Management GmbH
Am Wehrhahn 70 40211 Düsseldorf Germany