We are all doing our best to adhere to social distancing guidelines, as the reality of COVID-19 sinks in a bit deeper each day. Because the virus is adept at surviving for long periods on flat surfaces, cleaning is top of mind, not only for common laundry rooms, but for all of us.
The second part of the equation is reducing contact points as much as possible. This is where a community laundry that taps into technology is best positioned to serve residents.
Systems such as Speed Queen’s Wash Alert can play a significant role in helping residents maintain social distancing. Features enable residents to check machine availability from their unit as well as receive cycle completion alerts via text or email. This helps reduce a resident’s need to enter the community laundry room to start cycles and transfer loads.
App-based payment systems provide a similar advantage in reducing touch points. Consider the reduction in touch points between a resident paying with coins and one using mobile pay. A coin resident likely will need change, so they are getting change either in the room or off site. That’s increasing their time in public. Facilities utilizing value transfer machines also increase contact points.
A mobile pay solution removes each of those touch points. Residents using the Speed Queen Insights app can even add value to their mobile wallet from their unit before coming to the laundry room. Then, the customer enters the laundry and proceeds immediately to the washer, loads, selects wash, scans the QR code or more often, selects the machine in-app. The in-app selection also enables users to choose their cycle, further eliminating a machine touchpoint. Because they have a mobile app, there’s no guesswork on when to return to from their apartment; they are alerted by text message. Same on the dry side – limiting exposure to the environment. If you have the option, it may make sense to go mobile pay-only to ensure a safer experience for all.
Machines that offer remote diagnostics further increase safety, as LSP personnel are alerted to any issues and can troubleshoot the problem from afar. The helps reduce onsite time – increasing safety for both residents and LSP staff.
While good old-fashioned attention to cleanliness is immensely important today, leveraging technology in multi-housing applications is another way to help ensure a safer experience for residents. In addition, as we move into a post-COVID-19 world, prospective renters will place a premium on properties that offer greater access to such technology.
