hou_nh6ctf

Back-to-School Ready

How SMS Prepares Schools for Day One

The first day of school sets the tone for the entire year. While teachers prepare lessons and students gather supplies, SMS teams are behind the scenes making sure every classroom, hallway, and common area is ready to welcome them back.

More Than Daily Cleaning

During the school year, custodial teams focus on maintaining a clean, safe environment day to day. But as Division Manager Bruce Hoffmaster explains, back-to-school is different:

“By the time schools are ready to begin a new year, our teams have completed all summer projects and deep cleaning and spent the last week leading up to school day #1 going through the schools spot checking and getting back into their daily routines of cleaning.”

From dusting classrooms and disinfecting surfaces to vacuuming carpets and scrubbing hard floors, the focus is on creating a fresh, welcoming space. Teachers often arrive early to set up their rooms, and SMS crews are there to lend a hand. “Our teams also assist with moving items around, relocating furniture from room to room as needed, and removing items requested,” Hoffmaster notes.

Coordinating Every Detail

Back-to-school prep is about coordination as much as it is about cleanliness. “Normal day-to-day cleaning is maintaining the schools throughout the year, and ensuring that each classroom is student-ready,” Hoffmaster explains. “During back-to-school prep, we’re focused on detailed projects such as stripping and waxing of schools, carpet extraction, high dusting, and more.”

If a task falls outside SMS’s direct scope, the team makes sure it’s still handled. “If we are not able to perform a task within maintenance, then we are coordinating the project,” says Hoffmaster. “With SMS partnering with Perfection Group, we offer a ‘one stop shop’ for all facility needs, including custodial, maintenance, HVAC, landscaping, development planning, etc.”

Supporting Schools Beyond the Classroom

The school season is about more than classrooms — it’s about community. SMS teams help prepare for events, support school programs, and assist with logistics. “Many times our team assists with event coverage, preparations, and even directing traffic for graduation each year,” Hoffmaster shares.

When emergencies strike, SMS is available, too. Hoffmaster recalls one critical moment:

“Last year, we worked with the health department during a sewage line issue that flooded a section of the school and stayed in contact with them throughout the night as teams worked all through the evening to disinfect and prepare the school for normal operations to prevent further learning delays.”

A “Whatever It Takes” Mindset

One of the most essential parts of back-to-school prep is teamwork. Hoffmaster describes a recent challenge at the district’s largest school:

“We had several employees that came from other schools within the district to assist the team for weeks to ensure that we could be ready for the start of school. Our teams go above and beyond to work together to ensure that we complete assignments and all detailed cleaning at each school and other buildings before teachers and all arrive.”

Ready for Day One

Back-to-school season is a time of excitement and fresh starts. “It is crucial for us to work around those within the buildings as we fully detail and sanitize the schools to ensure they are day one ready,” Hoffmaster says.

At SMS, that’s the standard — doing whatever it takes to ensure schools open their doors confidently, cleanly, and ready for learning.

Hiring for Heart: Building Strong Teams at SMS

How SMS Finds the Right Cultural Fit–One Hire at a Time

At Service Management Systems (SMS), great service starts with the right people. But finding the right person isn’t just about skills or experience. It’s about cultural fit. Every facility we service has its own rhythm, personality, and community. So, how do we tailor our hiring processto match each environment?

It starts with intentionality.

The Hiring Process: More Than Just a Resume

Our hiring process is thorough. Most candidates find us through platforms like Indeed, but from there, they’re guided through a structured internal application process via ADP. For most roles, our next steps include in-person or virtual interviews, job offers, and drug screening. Once cleared, candidates are paired with a manager, supervisor, or seasoned team member for hands-on training during their first week. That one-on-one onboarding time isn’t just about learning duties — it’s about ensuring the new hire meshes with the team dynamic and client culture.

Screening for Integrity and Growth

When SMS evaluates potential hires, we look well beyond the resume. We consider stability in employment history, but more importantly, we assess punctuality, communication, professionalism, and whether the person wants to grow with us. The number one trait we seek? Integrity. It’s one of our core values. We look for it in every candidate we screen.

Over time, we’ve learned that a well-presented, driven, and communicative person can perform just as well as someone with a perfect resume. It’s about the full picture.

Culture Match Begins with Understanding the Community

Every facility and market we serve is different, and our recruiting strategy reflects that. We analyze each community’s economic makeup, public transportation options, and where potential employees live relative to the site. This local insight helps us determine how realistic it is for someone to commute, thrive, and stay.

This approach is especially important when facilities offer wages below the market average — we can’t expect success without understanding where the right labor pool lives and how to reach them.

Doing “Whatever it Takes!”

The SMS mindset of “Whatever it Takes!” is more than a motto — it drives how we hire. We don’t rely solely on job boards. We get creative. We tap into employee referrals, develop relationships with local employment offices, experiment with Facebook Marketplace, and offer referral bonuses and longevity pay incentives. Staffing today takes hustle, and we bring that same energy to recruiting as we do to serving our clients.

Hiring with Heart

One of the most rewarding parts of hiring at SMS is seeing someone start at an entry-level position and rise through the ranks. This isn’t just a job — it’s a launchpad. We’re proud to offer a career path where hard work and dedication matter more than degrees or certifications.

We’ve seen time and time again that when someone is given the proper support and environment, they can thrive beyond expectations. That’s why we don’t just hire for roles. We hire with the belief that people can grow. From day one, we encourage ambition and offer real opportunities for advancement. Whether someone is new to the workforce or restarting their journey, we’re committed to helping them build a future. Watching team members take ownership of their work, gain confidence, and eventually lead others is one of our most rewarding aspects. It’s proof that investing in people always pays off.

A Hiring Philosophy Rooted in People

What makes SMS different is our emphasis on the person, not just the resume. We seek individuals who reflect our values and can bring that spirit to each facility we serve. Whether it’s a busy shopping center, a complex medical facility, or a historic venue, we understand that culture is everything, and the people we hire define it.

At the end of the day, we’re not just filling positions. We’re building teams that care, and that starts with hiring people who do, too.

From Daily Detail to All-Star Scale: SMS in Action at The Battery

Keeping The Battery Atlanta Clean, Ready, and Welcoming — No Matter the Event

The Battery Atlanta isn’t just a destination, it’s a dynamic hub of entertainment, culture, and community. With restaurants, shops, outdoor spaces, and year-round events, it draws thousands of visitors every week. Behind the scenes, Service Management Systems (SMS) plays a vital role in keeping the property clean, safe, and ready for whatever the day brings — whether that’s a family outing, a sold-out concert, or this year’s biggest event yet: the All-Star Game.

As the excitement builds for All-Star Weekend, the SMS team is working diligently to ensure that The Battery is at its shining best. From planning staff coverage to inventorying equipment and fine-tuning logistics, our focus is on creating a welcoming environment that reflects the energy and pride of this world-class space.

A Unique Property with Constant Motion

What makes The Battery Atlanta truly unique is the nonstop motion. It’s not just a one-venue location — it’s a sprawling, open-air space filled with life and movement from sunrise to well past sunset.

When asked what makes The Battery such a unique place to work, Kenard Daugherty, an exterior porter with SMS, said, “There are different types of people from different countries, cities, and cultures. It’s a very awesome place and job.” That constant blend of people and energy brings both excitement and responsibility.

Maintaining such a diverse and high-traffic property means being proactive, flexible, and prepared for anything. From routine maintenance and daily cleaning to supporting pop-up events, the SMS team is always in step with the pulse of The Battery.

Services That Keep The Battery Running Smoothly

At a busy and complex property like The Battery Atlanta, every detail matters. SMS is proud to provide a wide range of services that keep the entire environment clean, safe, and operational.

Our work goes well beyond standard janitorial tasks. On any given day, our team is responsible for

• Trash & Recycling Removal: Ensuring all waste and recycling bins are emptied regularly and efficiently, especially during high-traffic events.
• Parking Garage Cleaning & Maintenance: Sweeping, power washing, and maintaining multi-level garage facilities to provide a safe and welcoming first impression for guests.
• Pressure Washing High-Traffic Areas: Regular deep cleaning of sidewalks, plazas, and common spaces to remove buildup and keep the grounds looking pristine.
• Maintaining Cleanliness in High-Traffic Zones: Actively monitoring and cleaning busy walkways, gathering spaces, and high-touch surfaces throughout the day to ensure a clean and safe environment for guests.
• Exterior Debris & Landscaping Clean-Up: Keeping landscaped areas free from litter, leaves, and debris to maintain a polished appearance and prevent potential hazards.
• Restroom Cleaning & Stocking: Servicing restrooms throughout the property with high attention to hygiene and readiness.
• Event Support: Assisting with setup, teardown, and post-event cleaning to ensure a seamless experience for both guests and tenants.

This full-service approach allows SMS to act as a true partner to the property — one that is ready for the everyday hustle and prepared for the biggest events of the year. From the parking deck to the plaza, our teams are everywhere they need to be to support The Battery’s success.

Adapting to Events Big and Small

One of the main challenges and opportunities at The Battery is the frequency and scale of its events. Whether it’s a community gathering or a high-capacity night, SMS staff adapt seamlessly to meet the needs of the moment.

“Braves games draw a bigger volume of people, and that means the team has to consider more traffic than other events at the battery,” shared Jonathan Johnson, Supervisor of Housekeeping.

That means adjusting shift schedules, increasing coverage in high-traffic zones, and staying responsive in real time. Every event day has its own rhythm, and our team is always ready to match it.

“The functions there are always exciting and amazing to see!” added Sharon Clark, Office Cleaning Tech, capturing the sense of pride that comes from being part of something bigger than a single task or shift.

Preparing for the Spotlight: All-Star Game Readiness

Hosting the All-Star Game brings an entirely new level of visibility and volume to The Battery Atlanta. It’s an opportunity to showcase the space — and the people who keep it running — to fans from across the country.

To prepare, SMS is focused on some key areas:

• Staffing Up: Ensuring we have plenty of trained, experienced team members on-site to keep up with increased foot traffic.
• Stocking Smart: Double-checking inventory and supplies so we’re never caught off-guard during peak moments.
• Planning Ahead: Developing detailed cleaning and maintenance schedules with built-in flexibility for last-minute needs and real-time adjustments.

From grounds crews to housekeeping teams, everyone plays a part in making sure the experience is clean, comfortable, and safe for every guest.

Teamwork at the Core

The SMS crew at The Battery embodies our “Whatever it Takes!” attitude. Their dedication, adaptability, and attention to detail reflect our company-wide core values.

With All-Star Weekend approaching, we’re proud of the role our employees play in preparing this incredible space for the national stage. But whether it’s a weekday morning or the busiest night of the year, our mission remains the same: to provide clean, safe, and welcoming environments — every day.

Setting Teams Up to Thrive with SafePersonnel

A Look into How SMS Simplifies Onboarding and Elevates Performance with SafePersonnel.

Running a public facility is a complex operation. Whether you oversee a bustling airport, a convention center, or a retail complex, you’re constantly managing new hires, evolving safety protocols, and the need for consistent performance across your team. In such an environment, training is everything, but keeping it organized and up to date can be a serious challenge.

That’s why Service Management Systems (SMS) utilizes SafePersonnel, a comprehensive training platform built specifically to meet the needs of public facilities. With SafePersonnel, training isn’t just a one-time event—it becomes a streamlined, ongoing process that ensures every employee has the knowledge and tools to succeed from day one.

Consistency You Can Count On

One of the biggest hurdles in employee onboarding is maintaining consistency in training. Too often, training is left only to individual managers, which has benefits, but without a strong foundation, it can lead to confusion, uneven performance, and missed information. SafePersonnel eliminates those variables by allowing us to supplement hands-on training with a centralized curriculum that standardizes instruction across the workforce.

Every SMS employee receives the same high-quality training, built on our proven standards and tailored to your facility’s needs. This improves understanding and performance and helps reinforce your organization’s commitment to safety, professionalism, and service.

Real-Time Progress Tracking for Greater Oversight

With SafePersonnel, Site Managers and Divisional Leaders gain immediate visibility into employee training progress. The platform’s intuitive dashboard allows you to track completions, monitor assessment scores, and follow up with individuals who may need additional support. This level of oversight ensures that no one falls through the cracks—and it gives you peace of mind knowing your team is always up to speed.

In addition to tracking, the platform helps identify knowledge gaps through built-in online assessments. These brief, focused tests reinforce key lessons and verify that employees retain the information rather than just clicking through a video.

SafePersonnel also offers detailed, itemized reporting that breaks down training status at the individual level. Each report includes line-by-line data for every employee, showing what courses they’ve completed, what’s still pending, their assessment results, and any overdue requirements. This depth of reporting gives supervisors a clear, actionable picture of their team’s progress and makes it easy to target support where it’s needed most. Whether you’re managing a small team or a large, multi-site operation, these granular reports ensure no detail is missed.

Flexibility that Fits Your Facility

Public facilities often operate on tight schedules and across multiple shifts, which makes flexibility essential. SafePersonnel’s web-based platform enables employees to complete training when it works best for them—during onboarding, between shifts, or in large groups. Training with SafePersonnel can happen in whatever form works best for your public facility’s schedule.

Plus, because the platform is entirely digital, updates to training materials can be rolled out instantly, ensuring the SMS team always has access to the most current procedures, safety protocols, and standards.

Need a course that’s specific to your facility’s equipment or workflow? SafePersonnel allows SMS to create and deploy custom training modules, so your team receives highly relevant instruction reflecting the real-world tasks they’ll perform. Whether it’s onboarding walkthroughs, location-specific safety drills, or advanced cleaning protocols, these courses can be built in-house and tracked with the same precision as the rest of the platform’s training library.

Training That Builds Stronger Teams

SafePersonnel is more than a learning tool—it’s another way to ensure everyone on our team is equipped to do “Whatever it Takes!” for your public facility. By standardizing training, simplifying management oversight, enabling real-time reporting, and creating custom courses, SMS builds confident, capable teams ready to perform from the moment they step on the job.

The Power of Maintenance: Keeping Public Facilities Safe, Functional, and Welcoming

Regular maintenance isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about preventing issues, enhancing user experience, and ensuring cost-effective facility management.

Regular maintenance is the cornerstone of safe, functional, and welcoming public facilities. Neglecting routine upkeep can lead to safety hazards, diminished user experience, and escalating repair costs. At Service Management Systems (SMS), we understand the critical role that comprehensive maintenance plays in preserving the integrity and appeal of public spaces.

Ensuring Safety and Compliance

A well-maintained facility is a safe facility. Regular inspections and timely repairs prevent minor issues from becoming significant hazards. Promptly addressing roofing problems or deteriorating façades mitigates risks associated with structural failures. Consistent maintenance also ensures compliance with safety regulations, reducing the likelihood of accidents and related liabilities.

Enhancing User Experience

The condition of public facilities directly impacts user satisfaction. Clean, well-lit, and properly functioning environments foster a positive atmosphere, encouraging repeat visits and community engagement. Conversely, neglected spaces with malfunctioning systems or visible disrepair can deter users and reflect poorly on the managing organization.

Cost-Effective Asset Management

Investing in preventive maintenance is financially wise. Proactively addressing wear and tear extends the lifespan of facility assets and reduces the need for costly emergency repairs. Implementing a structured maintenance program allows for better budgeting and resource allocation, ultimately saving money in the long term.

Comprehensive Maintenance Services by SMS

At SMS, we offer a full spectrum of maintenance services tailored to the unique needs of high-traffic public facilities. Our offerings include:

• Asset Management: Identifying, tracking, and analyzing physical assets to optimize performance and longevity.
• Work Management: Coordinating tasks from new equipment installations to corrective and preventive maintenance work orders.
• Preventive Maintenance: Schedule tasks based on fixed dates, usage metrics, or specific routes to prevent equipment failures.
• Materials Management: Monitoring and controlling inventory with automatic replenishment to ensure necessary parts are always available.
• Purchasing: Handling purchase orders and quotations to procure the right parts, track deliveries, and manage receipts efficiently.
• Patching and Painting: Maintaining a professional appearance through regular upkeep of surfaces.
• Lighting Upkeep: Ensuring well-lit environments enhances safety and comfort for staff and visitors.
• Tile Repair and Replacement: Addressing flooring issues promptly to minimize liability risks and maintain aesthetic standards.

By entrusting your facility’s maintenance to SMS, you ensure that every detail receives careful attention, allowing you to focus on your core operations with confidence.

Regular maintenance is not merely a routine task but a strategic approach to facility management that safeguards visitors, enhances experiences, and optimizes resources. Partnering with experienced professionals like SMS ensures that public facilities remain assets to the communities they serve.

The Importance of Proper PPE

PPE is vital to our company process. Here’s why!

At Service Management Systems (SMS), ensuring a safe and healthy work environment is our top priority. One of the most essential ways we protect our employees is through the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). No matter the facility, PPE is a crucial barrier against hazards such as chemicals, airborne particles, and physical injuries. Understanding and consistently wearing the proper PPE is not just a requirement—it’s a responsibility that safeguards employees, customers, and the entire workplace.

Why PPE Matters

PPE shields employees from workplace hazards that could cause illness, injury, or long-term health issues. Exposure to harmful substances, sharp objects, or airborne contaminants can pose serious risks, making PPE an essential line of defense. At SMS, we require employees to wear PPE daily to ensure compliance with industry regulations and maintain the highest safety standards.

Proper PPE use prevents immediate injuries and contributes to long-term health and well-being. For example, slip-resistant shoes help avoid workplace falls, gloves protect against exposure to cleaning chemicals, and face shields reduce the risk of contamination. These protective measures ensure employees can perform their jobs effectively while minimizing health risks.

Essential PPE for SMS Employees

Depending on their role and work environment, employees may be required to wear various types of PPE, including:

• Slip-Resistant Footwear: These shoes are required at all times while working indoors. They provide stability and prevent accidents on slippery surfaces. Outdoor workers may need insulated or waterproof boots for added protection.
• Respiratory Protection: N95 respirators, surgical masks, and face shields help protect employees from airborne particles, especially in critical infection control settings.
• Gloves: Employees handling cleaning products must wear latex or non-latex gloves to prevent skin irritation or chemical burns. Specialty gloves, such as heat-resistant or cold-weather gloves, may be required for specific tasks.
• Eye and Face Protection: Safety glasses or goggles shield the eyes from debris, dust, and chemical splashes, ensuring optimal protection when handling hazardous materials.
• Protective Clothing: Employees working outdoors should layer appropriately with insulated jackets or water-resistant outerwear to stay safe in extreme weather conditions.

Commitment to Safety

PPE is only effective when used correctly. Employees must know where to find PPE at their site, how to wear it properly, and how to maintain or dispose of it afterward. Site Managers are key in ensuring that all employees receive training on PPE usage and compliance. Proper hand hygiene before and after handling PPE is essential to maintaining a safe and sanitary workplace.

At SMS, we are committed to providing our employees with the knowledge, training, and resources they need to stay protected. By following PPE guidelines, we safeguard our health and uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and safety for the facilities we serve.

The Benefits of Our Customer Support Center

What Does Help From our Customer Support Center Mean For You?

When it comes to running a large public space, we at Service Management Systems understand that it is truly a feat to keep everything running smoothly. That’s why we provide access to our Customer Support Center (CSC) for all our accounts. Our CSC is based out of our headquarters in Nashville, TN, where we have a staff of experts ready to take care of you and your needs. From payroll to risk management, our CSC resources will be ready to support you when you choose SMS.

When paired with our top-of-the-line housekeeping and maintenance services, the benefits our accounts receive from our Customer Support Center are not just the icing on the cake – they’re the support needed to take your public facility operations to the next level. You’ll have the time to focus on other important areas when you let us take care of employee vetting, ensuring employment requirements are met, invoicing is accurate, and handling any claims from workers’ comp to compliance challenges. That way, you can count on a clean, safe, and well-supported facility with SMS.

Here are some areas of support you can expect when working with SMS!

Risk and Liability

When businesses partner with SMS, they gain valuable risk management benefits that help mitigate both operational and financial risks. SMS provides companies with robust tools to monitor and manage potential risks, ensuring that their operations run smoothly and safely. Our support team is equipped to assist with risk management strategies, ensuring that all janitorial and maintenance operations comply with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

By partnering with us, companies can rest assured that we are handling workers’ compensation, safety protocols, and any property damage concerns that may arise during cleaning tasks. Our proactive approach helps minimize potential risks, offering peace of mind to businesses while allowing them to focus on their core operations without the added burden of managing complex liability issues.

Built-in Human Resources Team

Businesses that choose to work with SMS gain the support of our experienced HR team, which provides a wealth of expertise to streamline their workforce management. One key benefit is our comprehensive pre-employment screenings, which ensure that only the most qualified and reliable candidates are hired.

Our HR team conducts thorough background checks, verifying qualifications, past employment, and criminal history, significantly reducing the risk of hiring individuals who may pose a liability to your business. This attention to detail helps create a more dependable and trustworthy workforce, fostering a safer work environment for both clients and employees. In addition to pre-employment screenings, we are committed to maintaining positive employee relations throughout the entire partnership.

You can expect our HR team to work closely with employees and employers to address concerns, resolve conflicts, and promote a healthy, productive workplace culture. Furthermore, we ensure full compliance with employment laws, keeping businesses up to date with ever-changing regulations regarding wages, benefits, and workplace safety. By handling these critical HR functions, SMS allows our customers to focus on their operations, confident that they are meeting legal requirements and maintaining a strong, harmonious workforce.

Billing and Invoicing

Gaining the support of our dedicated Billing Department plays a crucial role in ensuring that your invoicing process is smooth, consistent, and reliable. Our team is committed to providing accurate and timely invoices, giving you one less thing to worry about. Whether your business requires monthly billing cycles, project-based invoices, or detailed service breakdowns, our department can accommodate various types of invoicing to meet your unique needs. This flexibility helps businesses maintain clear financial records and stay on top of budgeting without the stress of managing complex billing systems on their own.

In addition to reliable invoicing, the CSC Billing Department is adept at handling any discrepancies that may arise. If there are any issues or questions regarding a bill, our team conducts thorough research to resolve the matter efficiently and accurately. We understand that billing discrepancies can cause delays and frustration, so we prioritize quick, transparent communication to ensure that any issues are addressed promptly. By working with SMS, businesses can feel confident that their invoicing is in good hands, freeing them to focus on their core operations while we handle the details.

Payroll

As a customer of SMS, gaining the support of our payroll department brings a wealth of benefits that go far beyond just processing payments.

Payroll accuracy is non-negotiable. With SMS, you can rest easy knowing that your employees receive the correct pay on time, every time. Our team utilizes advanced systems and a keen eye for detail to ensure that every paycheck reflects the right calculations, deductions, and compliance with local laws.

Payroll can be complex, with constantly changing tax laws, benefits regulations, and other compliance requirements. As part of the SMS family, you’ll have a team of experts ready to support you, who stay up-to-date with industry changes. Our professionals bring years of experience and knowledge to the table, ensuring that you’re always in good hands.

By partnering with SMS, you’re not just outsourcing payroll — you’re gaining a trusted ally with the resources and expertise to help your business thrive.

At Service Management Systems, we know that managing a large public space comes with its challenges, and these are some of the many ways we help to make it easier. With these benefits from our dedicated Customer Support Center, you’ll have a team of experts by your side to assist you–Whatever It Takes!

Sustainability: It’s not just for the Environment

An eco-friendly janitorial firm can make a difference in your facility

Sustainable lifestyles and work procedures play a crucial role in preserving the health of our planet. By adopting practices that minimize environmental impact, we can contribute to the longevity of ecosystems and the overall well-being of future generations. At SMS, we hold sustainability as an important value, emphasizing its importance in every facet of our operations.

There are many reasons to hire a janitorial company that practices sustainable cleaning that will improve the health and safety of the people in your public facility, maintain a positive environment that draws people to your location, and protect your company’s bottom line.

A few sustainable practices we use are outlined below, and you should consider incorporating them into your own routines as well. Here’s a closer look at some of the methods we implement:

Enhance Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Cleaning for improved IAQ requires following the science. Green cleaning products, which contain fewer hazardous Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), lessen human VOC exposure compared to standard cleaning products. Research has linked VOCs to long-term health hazards, including chronic asthma, lung disease, and lung cancer. Studies show that the use of “green” cleaning may improve indoor air quality.

At SMS, the use of sustainable cleaning agents meeting the requirements outlined in LEED-EB O&M ensures that VOC exposures are reduced. We deliver our green cleaning products via automatic chemical dispensing, which prevents over-concentrated chemical misuse. Likewise, it also prevents an “under-mixing” of the chemical, which affects its ability to perform and disinfect.

Our vacuums use HEPA filters to reduce dust and microbes left in carpets and in the air. With our daily vacuuming, this filter reduces the soil and cleans carpets with a powerful brush and suction motor, lowering the total project requirements for carpet extraction.

Our carpet extractors are certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), an independent laboratory that tests and certifies carpet products and carpet technology for quality and low VOC emissions. When carpet extraction is required, CRI-Certified carpet extractors require minimal chemicals and hot water, where appropriate. It is common to find that carpets in high-traffic facilities have far too much chemical buildup from overuse. Our first step in fixing this issue is hot water extracting of all carpets where permitted, to reset the chemical composition contained within the fibers and reduce “chemical browning” that can occur. If there is still a need for additional cleaning after our reset, we will use Green Seal carpet extracting, spotting, and pre-sprays that properly treat the carpet but neutralize after use to leave the carpets nearly chemical-free.

Sustainable programs with quality assurance and defined cleaning procedures can enhance indoor air quality and reduce the risk of reputational harm from illness claims in your facility. This also lowers the likelihood that the people who clean your location will call in sick, which can create a vicious circle of understaffing and negatively impact turnover.

Maintain a Positive Environment

When your provider chooses technologically advanced and efficient late-model equipment to clean the floors, escalators, elevators, and other areas in your building, the adverse side effects of using that equipment are significantly reduced. SMS’ partnership with industry-leading equipment manufacturers means we are continuously upgrading to quieter, more efficient equipment that can operate in eco-friendly mode and reduce or eliminate emissions levels and noise.

Our equipment has many functions that remove the need for chemicals at all. For example, in hard floor maintenance, we often strip wax and sealer off floors using high-impact floor pads and orbital scrubbing machines. These machines spin while vibrating, causing a sanding motion in tandem with an aggressive pad and water, removing wax and sealer from the floor without requiring a floor stripper or any harmful chemicals. This process also removes the floor slurry immediately during the pass into the auto scrubber, reducing the chances of slip and fall or any chemical burns. Our daily maintenance uses PH Neutral cleaners that are Green Seal certified to clean all hard surfaces.

Even with more ordinary cleaning tools, using the right products is important. SMS uses the following microfiber products for all of our cleaning approaches:

• Microfiber wipes
• Wet-loop mops
• High dusters
• Flat mops

Microfiber is antimicrobial, making it effective for use in any cleaning. It is durable and can be washed and reused over 300 times. This prevents the waste of “disposable” products that fill trash cans with chemically treated contaminated wipes. Our wipes and flat mops are always stored in solution, ready for use, and never applied back into the solution.

Once removed and wrung to the proper dampness level, we use the wipes and mops until soiled before putting them in a collection bag for washing at the end of a shift. This significantly decreases cross-contamination and improves overall disinfection, making an immediate difference in the health and lives of those who work at and visit your building.

Consistent delivery of an eco-friendly housekeeping routine requires a robust training program and an excellent quality assurance program. Every team member must be properly trained and on board, and regular inspections are necessary. SMS enters daily audits into OPS360, our customized Quality Assurance system, to check our adherence to our environmentally friendly programs. These results can be openly shared with our customers in real-time.

Save Money with Sustainable Practices

The days of choosing between cost savings and sustainable practices are behind us. With proper training, your service provider’s employees can effectively conserve paper products, select the appropriate cleaning cloths and tools for each task, and minimize water usage—all of which positively impact the bottom line.

If your janitorial provider is using efficient new state-of-the-art plug-in or battery-operated machinery for tasks such as vacuuming, carpet cleaning, or hard floor burnishing, your electricity bills will be lower. Also, your building will be safer because your floors will be cleaner, which will minimize your risk exposure.

SMS has extensive experience with a wide range of energy-efficient equipment that utilize technologies such as Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries, which have a fine glass fiber separator between the positive and negative plates that helps absorb all the battery acid. They require no maintenance or cord, have low energy consumption, and last significantly longer than conventional batteries. Our national partners recycle all of our batteries when replacement is required.

When your provider uses green cleaning products, they opt for eco-friendly, more concentrated alternatives. This means that, when applied correctly, smaller quantities are needed to achieve effective results, ultimately reducing overall supply costs.

Another money-saver is providing your visitors with easy opportunities to contribute to waste reduction in your facility. We have found the key to our success in minimizing waste and significantly increasing recycled product collection is ensuring the full availability of choices for recycling an item versus disposing of it in the trash. Clean and clearly marked containers give the visitor easy choices when they have the opportunity to recycle.

Clean water is not only a cost but also a limited natural resource. At SMS, our power washing equipment has water/chemical reclaiming ability to prevent contamination of nearby rainwater drains, which not only saves the environment but also reduces your water bill.

Eco-Friendly is a Solid Business Plan

Being sustainable is an all-around winning formula for cleaning and maintaining a healthy environment in your facility. It’s a rock-solid opportunity to improve your building’s IAQ, overall environment, and bottom line. We look forward to discussing the details with you.

Outsource your Janitorial & Maintenance to SMS

Five good reasons, just for starters

There are a whole lot of puzzle pieces that must fit together effectively to ensure your large public-facing facility runs smoothly, and janitorial and maintenance are two of the bigger (and potentially messier) ones. In this ever-changing industry, a specialist like Service Management Systems, Inc. (SMS) is built to be the most effective, adaptable, and cost-efficient option for reliable, continuous results.

At SMS, we understand that anything can happen anytime or anywhere in your large public building. That’s why we always have managers and/or supervisors available (24/7 if necessary), properly trained employees, leadership support, the best equipment and supplies, and our OPS360 Quality Assurance technology ready to deal with any issue in the most prompt and effective manner possible.

With that professional confidence in mind, here are five excellent reasons to hire SMS as your custodial and/or maintenance service provider to your airport, school, mixed-use, retail, entertainment, medical, or other large public-facing facility:

1. We’re Industry Experts

This is all we do. That means our training, processes, equipment, supplies, and people are all designed to bring you the very best in cutting-edge service. It’s a lot more than a mop and a broom, and we live and learn it better every day.

Good people are our most important asset. We find, hire, and train the best – hard-working, conscientious, and friendly employees. We understand that our people are an extension of your people, and that we represent you and your facility.

Public facility housekeeping is a science, and learning how to perform different tasks based on proper technique and procedure results in cleaning for health and safety, not just visual appearance.

Proper service requires industry-specific expertise. An excellent janitorial contractor has a deep talent pool of executives and subject matter experts to provide the support your facility demands. You won’t need to divert someone from one of your other teams, or go outside and find a consultant or additional third-party, to provide support in matters such as HR, Quality Assurance, Safety Training, and much more.

Our training program is continuously updated and improved. Our employees are trained not only upon hire but throughout their careers.

Technology is constantly changing, and the equipment and supplies used in your facility should be the most effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly available. At SMS, we research and experiment with everything available in public housekeeping, and only bring the best and most appropriate tools and supplies into your location.

2. Safety is our Top Priority

Proper safety procedures matter to all parties, and a professional company will always prioritize safety and its potential impact on people, your location, and your reputation.

At SMS, our goal is to create a safety culture. We clean for the safety of the people who work in and visit your public facility – not just to make it “look” clean. SMS works to maintain a level of clean that reduces slip-and-fall cases, keeps germ growth under control, and lowers your overall liability.

Our Safety Matters! Program complies with OSHA standards and requires that each SMS facility must have a Safety Committee in place. The program promotes a smarter way of working by pausing to consider the hazards of each task and then acting in a way to avoid those hazards. A good provider always does things the right way, which is not necessarily the easiest or fastest way.

Each month, our SMS team members receive a Safety Talk Topic to review, analyze, discuss, and then develop solutions in their daily job duties. These Safety Talks are used in conjunction with Safety Committee meetings to bring our Safety Matters! Program to the forefront of our daily operations. The topic typically pertains to current facility needs or the overall work environment.

SMS’ SafePersonnel Program keeps staff up-to-date by using a straightforward training platform (videos, training modules, and tests). We are continuously creating customized training videos that amplify our existing training process. These training courses can be completed in a group setting to maximize feedback, interaction, and team-building, or assigned individually.

To learn more about our multi-pronged approach to safety, see our blog at https://www.smsclean.com/blog/safety-matters/.

3. We Pass our Cost Efficiencies Forward

Cost savings that result from business efficiency and volume are passed on to you, our partner.

As a larger firm, SMS is able to distribute the costs associated with custodial management and subject matter expert salaries, quality assurance (and other) software, safety programs, and other capital costs across several accounts, not just yours.

And with a solid business reputation, strong financial statements, and a customer portfolio earned during 36+ years in business nationwide, SMS has agreements with equipment and supply providers that result in cost savings, sourcing options, and repair service response times that will exceed what you can get independently. This allows us to pass on savings from our purchasing power to you.

4. Our Administrative Support is your Security Net

Each industry has its own liability and insurance issues, and SMS has deep expertise in matters involving housekeeping and maintenance.

As leaders in our industry, we have specialists across all necessary areas of responsibility to ensure that you don’t have to worry about supporting the services we take on for you.

SMS has a Customer Support Center in its centrally-located Nashville Headquarters that provides a deep pool of talent in the following departments:

• Human Resources
• Risk Management
• Legal
• Payroll
• Accounting
• Finance
• Information Technology/Information Services
• Billing
• Marketing

A first-rate provider will have all the essential insurance coverage, workers’ compensation, professional know-how, and everything else required to lessen your risk, expense, and company man-hours. This must be earmarked for dealing with legal or liability responsibilities that could crop up across a spectrum of facility-level issues.

Your HR/Recruiting department(s) have enough challenges. By passing responsibility for recruiting, hiring, motivating, and maintaining a stable janitorial workforce onto SMS, you can confidently transfer an important responsibility onto a qualified specialist’s shoulders.

5. Our Depth and Breadth of Services

SMS also offers ancillary services including maintenance, power washing, and housekeeping surveys and consulting.

Consider also contracting out maintenance to your housekeeping company, because the same provider can offer a depth of experience in both areas of expertise, along with in-depth knowledge of your unique facility.

This can save your company money because your maintenance provider will already know your property and will be providing an add-on service, thereby making it safer and easier for them to provide you with a more reasonable maintenance rate. This also creates efficiency and realizes the synergy that exists from using a maintenance company that understands your property’s unique issues, because SMS housekeeping employees get to really know your property from working there every day.

Whether you’re on the job, watching a movie at home, or out of town on business or pleasure, it’s vital to know the people who clean and maintain your public facility are always “on it,” no matter what surprises lie ahead.

There are more good reasons to consider onboarding a third-party provider for your housekeeping and/or maintenance services, and we’d be happy to share them with you.

And if you already have an outsourced provider, but it’s not quite working out the way you expected, SMS can help you figure out what’s wrong and provide you with a cost-competitive program that will improve your facility’s safety and cleanliness.

Either way, contact us at info@smsclean.com, and we’d be happy to learn about your location and chat about how we can best serve you. Because sometimes, it’s better to let the experts do what they do best and stay focused on your core business.

Beyond the Surface: The Science Behind Expert Floor Care

Top Five Benefits of a Professional Floor Care Plan

Who hasn’t seen a worker riding or pushing an auto scrubber inside a public facility and wondered if perhaps anyone who can steer a riding lawnmower or push a grocery cart could do that job?

At Service Management Systems, Inc. (SMS), we believe it’s important to understand that proper floor care involves a little bit more than what we notice at a casual glance.

SMS has been cleaning and maintaining all kinds of flooring in large public-facing buildings across the U.S. since 1988. From malls to schools to airport passenger terminals to hospitals, we’ve earned the trust of the people who manage these facilities. While providing expert floor care in over 75 public facilities in 28 states, we make sure that a clean and safe facility starts on the ground floor.

There are many reasons the housekeeping company at your public-facing building needs to be a floor care expert. At SMS, we believe our experience, processes, and workforce make us experts, and here is our list of the Top Five Benefits of a Professional Floor Care Plan:

1. Improves Safety and Health: We make safety and health our Top Priority. Proper floor maintenance cuts down on slip and fall and workers’ compensation cases while improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). By cleaning the right way at proper frequencies, SMS makes floors safer and the air your tenants and customers breathe cleaner, because germs that grow on your floor impact IAQ throughout your building.

2. Leaves Customers Impressed: A floor care expert like SMS will keep your floor’s finish looking fabulous year-round. This leaves quite an impression and sends a message that cleanliness and professional appearance matter in your facility.

3. Provides Cost Savings: It is much cheaper to hire an expert like SMS to preserve your flooring than to replace it altogether or lose your warranty coverage through improper maintenance.

4. Removes Scuffs and Scratches: Your current crew may be focusing on the dirt and grime that gathers on the surface of your flooring. But at SMS, we also work on the scuffs and scratches caused by foot traffic, heavy boxes, machinery, etc., that might seem impossible to remove, but actually are not – making floors look new again.

5. Ensures use of the Proper Tools and Cleaners: Your current crew may be using the wrong type of equipment and/or the wrong cleaners for your type of floor. Hiring an expert like SMS means your flooring will be serviced using the proper types of equipment with cleaners that are safe and effective.

Cleaning for health and safety has long been our primary focus at SMS, and recent research indicates that proper floor maintenance does much more than prevent the slip and fall we remember fondly from our childhood cartoon days.

It’s been shown that a clean floor improves Indoor Air Quality, reducing the spread of germs.

ISSA: The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association points out, “As the largest horizontal surface in a building, the floor is a breeding ground for all types of germs and contaminants. Appropriate cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting guidelines and regular floor maintenance are key components to successful infection-risk mitigation.”

While on the “surface,” floor cleaning may seem pretty simple, it actually requires a structured routine of regular maintenance specific to each floor type. Everyday efforts such as carpet vacuuming and hard floor mopping are essential, but so are scheduled maintenance (like hard floor buffing and burnishing) and scheduled restorative floor care, such as stripping and finishing, specific to each type of hard flooring.

Whether it’s an airport passenger terminal, school, indoor mall, medical building, or office building, each facility SMS cleans has unique floor care needs, with variables such as foot traffic volume, temperature, humidity, and sunlight helping us determine individual cleaning and maintenance programs and scheduling a frequency for each process.

With every new contract, we start by purchasing the appropriate brand-new state-of-the-art commercial floor cleaning equipment that is quiet, efficient, and effective. SMS has close relationships with major brands and dealers, which means that when our equipment needs repair, we can quickly obtain any necessary parts and/or repair expertise with minimal downtime.

Karcher supplies much of the heavy equipment that we utilize throughout our network.

“Karcher’s goal with SMS is to offer a customized approach to each and every project,” said David Solis, Karcher National Account Manager. “Karcher analyzes each site and makes suggestions to maximize productivity and ensure the best ROI is achieved.”

When Karcher equipment is in need of service, their response time is within 24-48 hours with technicians in vans throughout the country. The goal is to get the unit up and running as quickly as possible to avoid precious downtime.

SMS’ CARPET CLEANING PROCESS

One of the most important factors in maintaining and prolonging the lifespan of your carpeting is to vacuum, vacuum, vacuum as often as possible.

Our basic carpet care training program includes detailed instructions on all of the following processes:

• vacuuming
• spot removal
• bonnet cleaning
• carpet extraction

All these processes begin every time with complete carpet preparation, such as mandatory “CAUTION, WET FLOOR” signs wherever appropriate.

Although many people who walk into a janitorial job are capable of pushing a vacuum around, that doesn’t mean they know how to do it properly for best results. Nor does it mean they understand spot removal. As to bonnet cleaning and carpet extraction, those are specialized procedures that have been perfected at SMS through experience, spelled out carefully in a written manual, and taught and re-taught to our employees at the facility level.

The devil is always in the details when it comes to processes like this.

For example, not all bonnet pads are created equal. And, it’s important to practice a lifecycle plan for when they are turned over, washed, and replaced.

Extraction is the deep-cleaning process typically done after the carpeting has received about four to five bonnet cleaning applications. However, a facility’s foot traffic needs to be taken into account when determining the extraction schedule and frequency for each carpeted area.

Another differentiating step is the after-extraction process. At SMS, this includes bonneting with a dry pad to not only remove surface dirt but also to speed up the drying process by creating heat as the bonnet machine passes over the carpet fibers.

SMS’ HARD FLOOR CLEANING PROCESS

For hard floors such as tile, stone, hardwood, and composites like terrazzo, sweeping and dust mopping are daily jobs at SMS, with auto scrub burnishing on a regular schedule.

Burnishers are an important piece of hard floor equipment at SMS. The floor buffing process restores gloss and enhances shine by removing black marks, polishing, and making damaged or scratched surfaces smooth again.

One of the consumables SMS will use on a case-by-case basis is an approved floor restorer, sometimes as often as once a week or more, based on desired gloss levels and traffic in the area being worked. The restorer can help fill in microscopic scratches before the burnishing process, and extend the life of the wax.

Floor stripping is a specialty of our project teams, which usually work evening or night shifts. This process removes the old finish completely, followed by all-new floor finish, and is scheduled in concert with our customer during a time frame when the building is closed, or the flooring being restored is off-limits to the public for a set time period.

The process of stripping and applying a new finish is a significant expense and time investment that requires a lot of planning, communication, coordination, and training. Issues for consideration include the following: only 50% of a common area should be completed at one time (to ensure there is always a dry side for safe passage); and start and end points, cut-offs, and transition lines will matter when the project is complete.

Experience and planning are essential, and instructions on which floor area should be worked during each phase must be carefully plotted out. For example, stripper chemical “bleeds” onto adjacent tiles, which requires meticulous prep work and a practiced team.

BEYOND THE SURFACE: FLOOR CARE SCIENCE MEANS SAFETY

These examples highlight just a few of the challenges met by SMS regarding ongoing floor care, and why it requires much more than a mop, a pail…and an auto scrubber.

Only larger companies like SMS can bring the mojo on financial strength, experience, and the documented procedures necessary for continuous success at your facility. But teamwork is what brings it all together. At SMS, we strive to hire the right employees and create the culture that breeds the teamwork necessary to provide first-class results on a consistent basis.

We always remember that at the end of a long hard workday, it’s all about the safety of the people who use your public facility – and riding on that auto scrubber is just a tiny peek into the process.