What operational headaches can software solve for cleaning businesses?

Mark Tipon: Scheduling and workforce management have been the biggest pain points. Manual scheduling boards or basic spreadsheets cannot compete with intelligent scheduling algorithms that optimize staff allocation based on historical patterns. Inventory management is also transforming—instead of emergency we're out of supplies calls, systems now track usage patterns and automate reordering. These improvements are crucial as 63% of contractors identify staffing as their biggest risk factor for 2025.

How can cleaning companies turn operational data into actionable insights?

Mark Tipon: The cleaning companies pulling ahead aren't just collecting data—they're asking the right questions about it. Examine labor-to-revenue ratios by contract type to discover which accounts are truly profitable. Analyze completion times against estimates to reveal where your bidding needs adjustment. Correlate client satisfaction with specific teams and protocols to identify practices that drive retention. The companies seeing the greatest growth make precise adjustments based on these insights.

What prevents businesses from adopting integrated solutions?

Mark Tipon: While 43% of companies have adopted end-to-end software solutions, the majority still operate with fragmented systems. Surprisingly, the barrier isn't primarily cost—it's concerns about implementation disruption and learning curves. A third of cleaning businesses want to choose new software this year, so the question isn't whether your business will embrace comprehensive digital solutions—it's whether you'll do it in time to stay competitive.

How should leaders evaluate software for long-term scalability?

Mark Tipon: Look for platforms that connect seamlessly with other systems, like accounting software, allowing evolution as your business grows. The mobile experience matters critically—field teams need interfaces that work flawlessly in realworld conditions with poor connectivity, harsh lighting, and gloved hands. The right software isn't just a tool—it's a strategic partner in your growth journey.

What are cleaning business owners struggling with most when it comes to growth and client retention?

Mark Tipon: The biggest challenge I hear from owners isn't about the cleaning jobs themselves—it's about maintaining consistent quality across multiple locations with diff erent teams. When your business is small, you can personally inspect every property. However, growth creates blind spots that can undermine client confidence. Today's clients expect instant updates, digital proof of service, and seamless communication—expectations that spreadsheets and text messages simply can't meet. Meanwhile, with industry turnover rates, owners find themselves trapped in endless hiring and training cycles instead of focusing on strategic growth. The cleaning companies outpacing their competition have recognized a fundamental truth: these aren't isolated problems but symptoms of fragmented information flow where field staff, management, and clients are all working from different realities. Success today isn't about working harder—it's about creating a unified system where everyone sees the same information in real time, eliminating the gaps where quality slips, communication fails, and profit margins disappear.