Annually a jury designates one product as Better of Competitors in The Nightingale Awards, a program that celebrates a number of the finest in healthcare design merchandise. The newest product to earn the popularity truly wasn’t initially developed for healthcare however discovered a match out there for its versatile and space-saving design attributes.
As college students on the Swiss Federal Institute of Know-how in Switzerland in 2015, David Ballagi and Carlo Loderer frequently organized music festivals on campus. Because the occasions grew in measurement and recognition, Ballagi and Loderer have been confronted with a tedious downside: organizing coat checks.
Unable to seek out a great answer, the duo got here up with their very own concept, a bag-based self-service garment storage system. And in fall 2015, they took a semester off, developed a prototype, and commenced taking it to completely different markets.
After making an attempt to promote pilot installations in conventional event-based markets, they started testing different segments, resembling healthcare, the place they discovered a welcome reception.
“Healthcare and related industries simply had enormous house issues, and we had developed a novel answer that might enhance this case and worker expertise on the identical time,” says Loderer, who cofounded Zippsafe AG (Glattbrugg, Switzerland) with Ballagi in 2016.
Particularly, the corporate’s “good mushy locker answer” replaces conventional arduous supplies resembling steel or wooden with polymer-based locker baggage. Customers dangle their garments on retractable hangars contained in the bag, whereas equipment are saved in versatile compartments and facet pockets that may adapt in measurement to the objects saved.
Every storage body measures 6 toes tall and 4.6 to six.6 toes lengthy and holds 10-15 storage models. It additionally options an connected bench and built-in shoe storage compartment. As a part of the good answer, the locker bag and shoe compartment are digitally managed by way of an RFID reader, whereas consumer entry will be managed remotely by way of an integral administration system or present entry options.
On the 2022 Healthcare Design Convention + Expo, the Nightingale Awards jury discovered the corporate’s ZippSpace Professional mannequin to be an revolutionary and enticing means to offer private storage in a restricted footprint. “This product hits so many points in a chic answer,” one juror famous.
Healthcare Design spoke with Loderer, now CEO of Zippsafe, who outlined a number of the product’s options, the way it addresses house and an infection management, and its position in workers satisfaction.
Healthcare Design: What storage points have been you making an attempt to resolve with this method?
Carlo Loderer: The Zippsafe good garment storage answer can clear up a giant downside—particularly, the issue round house, of which there’s by no means sufficient, particularly in locker rooms. To be extremely space-efficient was not sufficient, although. The true problem was to design a system that’s tremendous space-efficient but user-friendly for employees.
How is the ZippSpace locker system designed to resolve the house problem?
Carlo Loderer: ZippSpace’s zippered baggage are connected to a body, and customers dangle their garments on retractable hangers inside the baggage. Greater private objects, resembling purses and backpacks, in addition to different equipment, resembling motorbike helmets, will also be positioned inside these versatile compartments. The locker bag is then closed with a zipper and securely locked utilizing RFID expertise distinctive to the consumer, eliminating theft.
Why did you resolve that this product can be match for the healthcare market?
Carlo Loderer: Healthcare establishments are often situated in city areas, the place house is scarce and sq. footage costs are excessive. Half-time employment and growing calls for in healthcare end in rising workforces, requiring increased capacities in worker locker rooms.
On the identical time, the expert labor scarcity is a giant matter within the trade, and it’s recognized that workers house is crucial to job satisfaction. Establishments are requested to supply private storage to their workers. Locker rooms are the primary and final contact level to the worker.
Whereas the consumer expertise in locker rooms is oftentimes thought-about not passable, we wished to enhance the established order and supply a greater expertise to folks. Subsequently, ZippSpace permits handy dealing with and extra storage choices for personnel belongings.
The system requires a 3rd of the house wanted by a basic one-tier steel locker. What particular options enable that?
Carlo Loderer: First, the baggage aren’t inflexible. Subsequently, they are often a lot narrower in comparison with a conventional locker (most individuals don’t really need the complete width of a locker), however they’ll adapt when someone truly wants more room. Second, the answer shops objects in a extra vertical method, permitting garments to be correctly hung with out being wrinkled. Footwear are saved under, clothes above.
Did you make any modifications to the product for the healthcare sector?
Carlo Loderer: Specializing in the healthcare sector, hygiene turned a prime precedence.
As a primary modification, we added a storage compartment for 2 pairs of footwear beneath the bench that’s separate from the clothes and reduces odor and threat of contamination from pathogens that may journey on footwear. We additional added facet pockets to the zippered baggage to be able to make it attainable for workers to retailer their scrubs hygienically separated from their streetwear.
Moreover, a built-in air flow system with energetic carbon filters promotes a cleaner, more healthy workspace. The system prevents the build-up of disagreeable odors and improves air high quality. When workers retailer damp clothes, the air flow accelerates drying and minimizes humidity.
Clarify how the system works from a expertise perspective.
Carlo Loderer: The Zippsafe Administration System (ZMS) is the idea for the net administration of our garment storage answer. Primarily based on the shopper’s wants, ZMS will be built-in into the present IT panorama or perform as a standalone system. In each circumstances, the project of a compartment (which incorporates the locker-bag and shoe drawer) will be completed by way of our ZippManager software program.
This internet utility was designed particularly for the administration of the garment storage answer and moreover facilitates the method of allocating workers and managing lockers.
What mechanical or different assist infrastructure must be put in with the locker system?
Carlo Loderer: The idea is designed to be plug and play, so a traditional energy outlet is ample. Upon request, we provide an integration into an present entry administration system, which permits workers to make use of their private badge and function their locker baggage by merely inserting their card in opposition to the RFID reader. This characteristic is very valued by our prospects as a result of workers don’t want to hold round extra keys.
Anne DiNardo is government editor of Healthcare Design. She will be reached at [email protected].
