Streamlining for success
December 1st 2008 TC Contractors says using the latest electronic auditing technology reduces
paperwork, strengthens operating efficiencies and improves service delivery
TC Contractors has recently invested in new electronic auditing
technology.As part of an on-going modernisation of the
business, the company has chosen advanced hand-held PDA's
with the latest web-based tool to replace traditional paper audits for
clients across retail, logistics, leisure and office markets.
Depending on the client,TC Contractors conducts either weekly or
monthly audits to monitor the work of its cleaners.The criteria ranges
from how physically clean a building space is to whether a washroom
smells nice and has enough hand towels. Historically, specially trained
personnel completed paper audits, which comprised a checklist to
confirm what areas of cleaning had been carried out and whether
benchmarks had been met.
Although paper audits are simple to implement and require little
training they do have limitations in that information is easily lost and
data entry may still be required to obtain reports on the overall
standards of cleaning.As part of an on-going modernisation of the
business and overhaul of internal processes,TC Contractors chose to
upgrade to hand-held PDA's utilising the latest electronic auditing
technology.
A PDA with full training was given to those members of staff
previously responsible for paper audits – typically, In Store and Area
Cleaning Managers. Each PDA uses a web-based tool to collect,
analyse and report data from each audit. Once the information is
uploaded,TC Contractors' Surrey-based head office obtains a full
report via the web within seconds giving a complete picture of
cleaning progress and performance anywhere within the
organisation.
"Paper audits are still very much the norm within
the cleaning industry," says Peter Ellis, CEO at TC
Contractors."Adopting the new electronic
auditing process underlines our position as a
progressive contract cleaning company. It has
motivated staff, given us real competitive edge and
an even deeper understanding of cleaning
performance.
"The state-of-the-art technology highlights
strengths and weaknesses and enables our regional
teams to deal with problems immediately, as well as helping
resolve long-term issues.This has strengthened operational
efficiency by increasing cleaning productivity and
reducing operating costs. It has also meant we've
been able to maintain a consistently high service
delivery across the whole business
– with no gaps in standards." More articles from TC Contractors Ltd: | 
