Button for Cleaners

From data to insight: discover how Buttons For Cleaners’ new BI module can boost your business

From data to insight: discover how Buttons For Cleaners’ new BI module can boost your business

Good news for all users of Buttons For Cleaners! Our powerful new Business Intelligence (BI) module is now available – designed specifically to help cleaning companies gain greater insight into their operations and make better business decisions.

What is Business Intelligence?

Business Intelligence (BI) collects and analyzes business data and turns it into actionable insights. For our clients, this means no more manual fiddling with spreadsheets or working without a clear overview. The data is automatically updated overnight, so you always have access to the latest figures.

Unlike traditional reports, BI reveals patterns and connections that you might otherwise overlook – giving you a competitive advantage in planning resources, managing your team and improving your services.

How Business Intelligence can help your business grow

Your industry is competitive and often operates on small margins. This is precisely why access to the right information is crucial. With Buttons For Cleaners’ BI module, you can:

  • Instantly track and break down sales by category, customer, date, etc.

  • Identify expiring invoices and outstanding payments to follow up with customers

  • Track customers who deviate from their usual billing patterns, to intervene early in the event of potential customer loss, and track trends in new and departed customers

  • Detect patterns in staff attendance and prepare for periods of increased absence in the coming weeks or months

  • Review the schedule and quickly identify unplanned tasks

Planning

What makes our BI module unique?

Our BI module was developed with the daily practices of cleaning companies in mind.
Based on feedback from hundreds of users within the FacilityApps ecosystem, it is fully tailored to your industry.

The dashboards are user-friendly and visually intuitive – you don’t need a data analyst. Graphs and tables show at a glance how your business is performing.

Customers

Getting started with Business Intelligence at Buttons For Cleaners

For existing Buttons For Cleaners customers, the BI module is already activated. A set of standard dashboards is available for free.
Need more insights? With BI Plus, you can create your own dashboards or have our team build them for you – for a monthly fee. We also offer a practical one-hour online training course that teaches you how to get started with personalized dashboards in BI Plus.

Financials overview

BI Standard vs BI Plus

Your industry is evolving. Forward-thinking companies make decisions based on data, not gut feeling. With Buttons For Cleaners’ new BI module, you can be one of them.
By gaining insight into your business processes, you can operate more efficiently, reduce costs and improve your services – ultimately leading to a healthier business with satisfied customers and employees.

Want to know how our BI module can grow your business?
Contact us today for a free, personalized demo.

Frequently asked questions on Peppol: Everything you need to know about mandatory e-invoicing in 2026

Frequently asked questions on Peppol: Everything you need to know about mandatory e-invoicing in 2026

The future of business invoicing in Belgium

Starting in 2026, the way companies in Belgium and Europe exchange invoices will change. The government has decided that electronic invoicing via the Peppol network will become mandatory for all B2B transactions. At Buttons for Cleaners, we are already preparing for this change. In this article, we explain what this new legislation means and how we are adapting our software to it.

What exactly is Peppol?

Peppol stands for Pan-European Public Procurement Online. It is a network that provides secure exchange of electronic invoices between companies. It works a bit like e-mail, but specifically for business documents and with extra security
and a fixed structure. What is special about Peppol is that it is a European standard. This means that companies
from different countries can start exchanging electronic documents without problems, without having to worry about different formats or systems.

When will e-invoicing through Peppol become mandatory?

The Belgian government has made it mandatory to make B2B invoicing mandatory as of Jan. 1, 2026:

Efficiency and cost savings

Manual processing of invoices costs time and money. With e-invoicing, this process is automated, resulting in fewer errors and lower administrative costs. Research shows that companies can save up to 60% per invoice with electronic processing.

Environmental benefits

Less paper means less impact on the environment. By switching to e-invoicing, companies contribute to sustainability.

Fraud Prevention

E-invoicing makes it more difficult to defraud invoices because all data is stored and exchanged in a structured way. This helps the government counter VAT fraud.

What does this mean for your business?

If you run a cleaning company in Belgium, as of 2026 you must be able to send and receive electronic invoices via the Peppol network. This applies to all B2B transactions, regardless of the size of your company.
This means that you:

  • Need to use software that supports Peppol
  • A Peppol ID must apply for
  • Need to adjust your administrative processes

How Buttons for Cleaners prepares.

At Buttons for Cleaners, we take this change very seriously. Our developers are now working on a seamless integration of Peppol into our platform.
We will ensure that our customers will soon be able to send and receive e-invoices without any problems, in full compliance with the new legislation. Sending invoices from our system will automatically go through the Peppol network, without you having to perform any additional actions.

Benefits of e-invoicing through Peppol

Switching to Peppol offers several advantages:

Faster payment

E-invoices are processed faster, which can lead to shorter payment terms.

Fewer errors

Because data is processed automatically, this process is faster and more error-free.

Better data quality

E-invoices contain structured data that you can use for analysis and reporting. This gives you more insight into your financial flows.

As a cleaning company, start preparing now

Here we have absolutely nothing to report, so why this call to action?

Although 2026 still seems far away, we recommend starting your preparation now. By starting early, you’ll avoid last-minute stress and ensure a smooth transition.

We at Buttons for Cleaners will keep you informed of all developments surrounding this legislation. Our software will be ready for the new requirements well in time so you can continue to focus on your core business.

Have questions about Peppol or want to know how we can help you transition to e-invoicing? Please contact us. We are happy to help you think about the best approach for your specific situation.

M-Bytes and FacilityApps continue together in cleaning industry

Two independent Dutch software companies form new force in digitization of cleaning companies

M-Bytes BV and FacilityApps announced today that they have joined forces. This strategic partnership brings together two well-known names in Dutch cleaning software, creating an organization that offers a fully integrated solution for the entire cleaning industry. The merger combines M-Bytes’ advanced calculation software, developed specifically for cleaning calculations, with FacilityApps’ planning and app software. This creates one powerful solution that helps cleaning companies digitize their operational work processes from start to finish.

From one-man company to a team

There is a growing need in the cleaning industry for software solutions that seamlessly connect different parts of business operations. Ben Eltink, director of M-Bytes, explains, “I have been developing software for estimation and quality control for years, but have been doing so as a one-man company. The customer base has grown steadily each year, and this felt like the right time to take the next step. Customers are increasingly asking for more security and continuity, and I myself would like to grow and be part of a team. I’ve known the people at FacilityApps for years, and the feeling of moving forward together is just right.”

The new combination targets medium and large cleaning organizations in the Netherlands and Belgium. Many of these companies still perform calculations on paper or in Excel, which entails significant limitations for efficient and accurate execution.

  • Limitations of paper and Excel: this approach is not flexible and does not offer advanced functionalities, making it difficult to perform complex calculations optimally.
  • Aging expertise: Experienced estimators are aging, while young talent expects digital tools to work productively.
  • Time-intensive and error-prone: Manual processes are time-consuming and increase the risk of errors, especially when multiple employees make changes to the same Excel files without a central overview.
  • Lack of coordination: Without version control or historical data, it is difficult to coordinate modifications, especially with regularly changing building conditions.

Using specialized software, cleaning companies can store estimates in a central database. This provides version control and historical insights, makes coordination easier and allows organizations to respond flexibly to building changes. The result: greater efficiency, fewer errors and a future-proof approach that is attractive to both experienced and young talent.

   The (combined) platform offers, among other things:

  • Accurate calculations of cleaning times based on room type and contamination
  • Overviews by location, department, task or cost center through the calculation module
  • 1 central database that replaces outdated Excel files
  • Easy comparison and adjustment of different versions by contract/location
  • Various output options to work programs and work instructions: paper, PDF or Excel
  • Easy import of room states, glass data and more with instantly visible changesGrowing demand for integrated solutions“In many cleaning companies, the process still goes through different systems,” says Dirk Tuip, founder of FacilityApps. “From the preparation of quotations to the planning and execution of recurring or additional work, the ticking off of tasks from the work program and the quality control at the end – each part is often done in a different system. “By combining our expertise, we now offer one integrated solution that supports the entire workflow: from calculation and planning to execution and quality control.”

3 Signs It’s Time to Ditch the Spreadsheets & Get A cleaning company app

Spreadsheets are great, for a while. But once your cleaning business starts growing, they turn into more of a hindrance than a help.

You’re duplicating data, fixing avoidable errors and chasing information across tabs. And before long, the spreadsheet becomes the bottleneck holding your business back.

Here are three signs it’s time to move on – and what to do instead.

1. You’re Constantly Duplicating Info

If a cleaner’s hours appear in three separate tabs and you’re manually copying them into payroll, invoicing and mileage logs… you’ve got a problem.

Double entry (and triple-checking) means:

  • More time wasted on admin
  • A higher risk of mistakes
  • No single source of truth

With Buttons for Cleaners, everything is centralised:

  • One update = system-wide sync
  • Cleaner hours link directly to payroll and invoicing
  • Mileage, job details and tasks are tied together

No more jumping between tabs or copy-pasting across files.

2. You’ve Missed a Job or Double-Booked Someone

This one’s a killer. When schedules live in your head (or on a hidden tab in your laptop), things fall through the cracks.

Maybe you forgot to assign a shift. Maybe two cleaners turned up to the same job. Maybe no one did.

With smart scheduling tools, you get:

  • Instant alerts for unassigned jobs
  • Clash warnings when cleaners are double-booked
  • Visual rotas that make spotting gaps easy

Buttons for Cleaners is a cleaning company app which flags problems before they happen – so you fix them early, not after a client calls. It’s. asafe pair of hands – the eyes in the back of your head.

3. You’re Spending Hours Fixing Avoidable Errors

How much time do you spend chasing invoice corrections, checking timesheets, or querying cleaner mileage?

Spreadsheets make it easy to make small errors with big consequences:

  • Wrong hours = wrong pay
  • Missed charges = lost revenue
  • Incorrect reports = lost trust

With Buttons for Cleaners, every element is connected. The hours logged feed into invoicing. The cleaner assigned triggers the right pay rate. Mileage is recorded as part of the job.

It’s not just faster – it’s more accurate and far less stressful. Imagine being able to finally take that holiday and actually relax.

You’ve Outgrown the Spreadsheet

There’s no shame in starting with Excel – it’s how most businesses begin. But if you want to grow, streamline and stop firefighting, it’s time for a system that actually supports you.

Buttons for Cleaners is that system. One login, one dashboard, one smart way to run your cleaning business.

Curious how it works? Book a no-pressure demo today.

Proof of Work Matters: How to Build Trust with Clients

You know the job was done – but the client isn’t convinced. Maybe the bins were emptied, the floors were mopped, but a dusty desk or missed cobweb becomes the only thing they remember.

Doubt turns into complaints. Complaints turn into distrust. And suddenly, you’re on the back foot.

That’s where proof of work becomes your greatest asset. Not just for accountability – but for client confidence, smoother relationships and long-term retention.

Here’s how it helps:

1. It’s Not About Micromanaging – It’s About Trust

Clients want to know they’re getting what they paid for. And with staff often working unsupervised or out-of-hours, visibility is limited.

That’s why something as simple as a photo, a GPS check-in, or a completed checklist can make all the difference. It says:

“We were here. We did the work. Here’s what we did.”

This isn’t about surveillance – it’s about reassurance. Proof builds trust (with your clients and your team) and shows clients you take their service seriously.

2. It Protects Your Team and Your Reputation

When you don’t have evidence, every complaint becomes a blame game – and your cleaners can end up on the receiving end unfairly.

With timestamped logs, before and after photos, or signed off checklists, you can stand by your team with confidence. That means quicker dispute resolution, fewer write-offs and a reputation built on fairness and professionalism.

It also helps resolve those tricky “he said, she said” situations – before they spiral into lost contracts.

3. It Opens the Door to More Clients adn More Work

Proof of work isn’t just about defending what’s been done – it’s a record of your value over time.

You can show clients:

  • How frequently a space was cleaned
  • What services were delivered
  • When issues were raised and addressed
  • Where extra attention was needed

This data doesn’t just protect your team – it builds your case for keeping clients, expanding bookings and increasing referrals.

4. It Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Worried about adding more admin? Don’t be.

With Buttons for Cleaners, your cleaners can:

  • Clock in and out
  • Complete a checklist
  • Upload a photo
  • Mark the job complete

It takes seconds and it’s all captured in the app. No paper trails, no WhatsApp photos, no lost records. Bliss.

5. It Works Across Commercial and Domestic Cleaning

No matter the client – home owner, office manager, facilities lead, or lettings agent – clarity matters.

With Buttons, proof of work is built into the process, whether you’re:

  • Managing daily office cleans
  • Covering end-of-tenancy work
  • Handling weekly home cleans

One process. One record. One less thing to chase.

Build Trust, Keep Clients, Protect Your Team

Proof of work doesn’t mean checking up on people. It means showing clients they’re in good hands and giving your team credit where it’s due.

It’s how good cleaning companies:

âś… Build trust

âś… Avoid unnecessary disputes

âś… Win more repeat business

Buttons makes proof of work automatic – see it in action by booking your demo.

Stop the Rota Chaos: 5 Ways to Make CLEANING Scheduling Less Stressful

If scheduling your cleaning team gives you that familiar Sunday night dread, you’re not alone. For many cleaning business owners, the weekly rota is a battlefield – riddled with last-minute sick calls, no-shows, double-bookings and endless WhatsApp threads.

But here’s the good news: scheduling doesn’t have to be stressful. The right approach – and the right tools – can save you hours every week, reduce mistakes and keep your team happier and more accountable.

Here are five ways to make rota planning simple, smart and (dare we say) stress-free:

1. Ditch the Whiteboard and Spreadsheets

Let’s be honest: a rota spread across a whiteboard in the office, a spreadsheet on your laptop, and a half-dozen texts isn’t really a rota – it’s a gamble.

The moment someone edits a version and forgets to share it, you’re at risk of missed jobs or double-booked cleaners.

Instead, move your rota into a single digital planner. With a tool like Buttons, you’ll see everything in one place: jobs, people, kit, location, and availability. It updates in real time -so everyone’s on the same page, whether they’re in the office or on-site.

2. Use Smart Filters to Find Cover – Fast

When someone calls in sick or a last-minute job comes up, don’t spend your afternoon guessing who’s free.

With smart filters, you can instantly search by cleaner availability, location, skillset, or even DBS status. Buttons gives you a shortlist of the right people for the job – no guesswork, no endless phone calls.

Bonus: it also shows who’s overbooked or just finished a nearby shift, so you can make efficient decisions on the fly.

3. Spot Clashes and Gaps Before They Become a Problem

Some scheduling systems let you build a rota – but don’t warn you if there’s an issue. That’s not good enough.

Buttons automatically flags problems – like missing cover, staff on holiday, or double bookings – before they happen. That means fewer early morning emergencies, and more time to actually run your business.

You’ll know your rota’s watertight before Monday rolls around.

4. Give Cleaners Clarity (And Cut Down on Calls and Texts)

One of the biggest time drains? Answering rota questions from staff – where am I meant to be? What time’s my shift? What kit do I need?

With the Buttons app, each cleaner can see their upcoming shifts, locations, job notes, and required equipment right on their phone. They can request holidays or log sickness properly – without the late-night calls or awkward chats.

Less back and forth, more personal accountability.

5. Build a Rota That Reflects Real Life

Your scheduling system needs to work for your business – not the other way around.

Whether you’ve got fixed-term commercial contracts, unpredictable Airbnb turnarounds, or a team of part-timers with changing availability, Buttons flexes with you. It handles recurring jobs, one-offs, emergency cleans, or multi-site setups – all from the same dashboard.

You don’t have to start from scratch every week. Build smarter rotas once, and tweak them quickly when things change.

No More Stress, No More Scramble

A clearer rota doesn’t just save you time –

it improves service, builds trust with clients, and makes your team’s day-to-day smoother.

No more WhatsApp chaos. No more Sunday night panic. Just one smart system that does the hard work for you.

Want to see how Buttons can take the stress out of scheduling? Grab your demo

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