Partnerships are essential if you want to innovate and improve the industry you’re in. Of course, everything starts with an idea and drive: “We want to change something!” But then … nothing is developed in a vacuum. In this article we describe our experience of developing our universal washing machine software, Smart Control.

Outdated Circuit boards

Standard, the manufacturer’s software is written on printed circuit boards, which quickly become obsolete and require maintenance. Unfortunately, as a result, the laundry or linen service cannot make optimal use of its equipment. All the more reason for the sentiment at Vartex. We found that these printed circuit boards no longer fit the modern times we are living in.

The situation needed to be modernized. But how are we going to do that? Yes, we have to write software, but how do we get it on the machines? Quickly, we arrived at a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).

Choosing the Right Partners

Now that we established what the carrier of our software would be, we needed to pick a manufacturer for the PLC. Based on good experiences with Schneider Electric, we made our choice rather quickly.

In the cleaning industry, more than 80 percent of the electrical components are Schneider’s. Moreover, the products are easily and readily available at your local technical wholesaler; what’s more, we can rely on excellent quality. Finally, the company gave us the feeling of authentic support for our vision and the desire for innovation. What else do you want? There was our partnership with Schneider!

A line of Girbau Washers equipped with Vartex Smart Control

Now that we have determined the destination for our software, we could write and design the software. This process mainly revolved around three core principles: user-friendliness, efficiency and universality. In other words, the software must:

  • Be quick and easy to operate. The operator must be able to see what the machine is doing at a single glance. And the PLC in combination with a display from Schneider is perfect for that!
  • Operate on any machine. Simple. There must be ample compatibility so nobody’s excluded. On Girbau machines, for example, you can install Smart Control on 22 to 100 KG washers.

Users of Vartex Smart Control Software

As soon as the software is finished and tested, you need users. There was Jacko Dekker, the manager of Elis Hoogeveen who invested his confidence in Smart Control and Laundry Intelligence. His branch was the first in the Netherlands with a complete line on Smart Control and Laundry Intelligence. We are happy with his confidence; we are very happy with his positive experience with our products.

Close up of Smart Control during a wash program

Find out More

Feel free to request a free brochure of Smart Control and Laundry Intelligence here. More information about Schneider Electric here and Elis here.