Flushing to Market: Kimberly-Clark Aims to Make Smart Restrooms

In a swirly of news today, Kimberly-Clark Professional has announced that it will dip into IoT technology to deploy a new smart restroom management system called Onvation Technology.

I’m done now, I promise. (Editor’s note: He almost certainly is not done.)

The system is designed to provide up-to-the-minute monitoring of restroom conditions from any device or location, 24 hours a day.

“Buildings today are smarter than ever with sensors and software managing everything from lighting and security to HVAC systems and more,” said Terry Sanchez, Marketing and Sales leader, Kimberly-Clark Professional, North America. “However, the restroom, which is one of the top three areas of tenant complaints, has been largely overlooked – until now.”

The Onvation Technology is a patented system to deliver real-time data and alerts to building managers, allowing them to identify and fix restroom problems before they become complaints. The advantages could include: more efficient use of supplies and time, reducing waste, increased sustainability, and enhanced tenant satisfaction.

In addition to signaling whether dispensers are empty or full, Onvation Technology delivers and relays information through a web-based dashboard that's accessible 24/7.

Here's how it works. Connected sensors are embedded into proprietary towel, tissue, soap dispensers and door counters. The data is collected and sent to the cloud over a secure network, where it is analyzed for intelligence. Automatic text messages are sent, if required, to alert building managers to product and battery levels, usage, jams and overall traffic. Finally, remote confirmation is delivered when an issue has been resolved.

“Instead of treating all restrooms equally, managers can assign staff to the areas that actually need service,” Sanchez said. “Seventy-three percent of tenants say a bad restroom signals poor management. When you consider that the typical office worker visits the restroom three to four times a day, that's more than 1.1 million annual opportunities to impress or disappoint. With Onvation Technology, building managers can make sure their restrooms measure up to the rest of their properties."

Talk about going to the head… of the class.

Ed.: Told you so.