Facility managers are under constant pressure to maintain cleanliness and ensure smooth operations while minimizing costs and waste. With restrooms often being one of the most scrutinized areas of any facility, the need for smart, data-driven solutions has never been greater.
Kimberly-Clark Professional’s Onvation SmartFit technology provides a real-time restroom management system, helping commercial facilities optimize janitorial staff deployment, enhance efficiency, and reduce waste. The technology is designed to integrate with various dispenser types, including Kimberly-Clark Professional’s ICON®, SCOTT PRO®, and select universal dispensers.
“At Kimberly-Clark Professional, we understand that restrooms are critical touchpoints for both employees and customers,” said Susan Gambardella, President of Kimberly-Clark Professional. “With Onvation SmartFit, we offer customers a valuable service bundle to enhance efficiency, prevent complaints, reduce waste, and improve the guest experience.”
The easily installed sensors track restroom traffic and monitor paper towel and bath tissue levels in real time. These sensors utilize Time of Flight Technology to measure product levels, offering predictive, data-driven insights that eliminate guesswork in restroom servicing.
"Everything about this sensor was intentionally designed to better meet facility managers' needs," said Iris Schumacher, Director of Restroom R&D at Kimberly-Clark Professional. "The thin sensor surface, rounded profile for seamless installation, and ergonomic design ensure accurate placement and enhanced restroom management."
The adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in commercial buildings is rapidly expanding. According to Memoori, the number of IoT-connected devices in commercial smart buildings surpassed 1.5 billion in 2022. This number is projected to grow at a 13.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), reaching 3.25 billion devices by 2028.
A recent industry study indicates that 79% of decision-makers are already investing in or planning to invest in technology for facility management optimization. However, challenges such as legacy systems, cost constraints, and interoperability issues have slowed widespread adoption. As of 2021, 33% of commercial real estate assets were still managed manually.
The shift toward smart building solutions is being driven by multiple factors, including:
With office market recovery remaining uneven due to remote work trends, property owners who invest in smart infrastructure, sustainability, and digital connectivity will maintain a competitive edge. Buildings that fail to modernize face the risk of becoming obsolete in an increasingly tech-driven commercial real estate market.
Among smart building applications, security and access control systems account for the largest share of connected devices, with the market expected to grow at an 11.9% CAGR, reaching 646 million installed devices by 2028. Meanwhile, occupancy and space utilization sensors are projected to see the fastest growth.
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) continue to enhance smart building ecosystems, facilities management is evolving into a data-driven, predictive discipline. AI-powered systems, such as Generative AI models like GPT-4, can further enhance natural language processing, data analysis, and automation in facility management.
