Cleveland - October 18, 2024: Progressive Field panorama, home of the Cleveland Guardians. Progressive Field has been home to the MLB Guardians since 1994.

To better serve their customers, GP PRO, a division of Georgia-Pacific, recently partnered with Comcast Business and Comcast’s IoT company, MachineQ, to provide the network infrastructure for GP PRO's KOLO System, and support in deploying and managing the network at scale across large venues and high-traffic facilities such as large pharma companies, manufacturing companies, convention centers, airports, and more. 

Comcast Business and MachineQ provided GP PRO with a scalable IoT network connectivity platform using LoRaWAN technology as well as customer lifecycle support and rapid deployment capabilities at scale. 

Addressing Labor Shortages and Enhancing Operational Efficiency at Progressive Field
Progressive Field, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a major league ballpark with a seating capacity of nearly 35,000. Home to the newly branded Cleveland Guardians, the venue has a rich history and is celebrated for the game-day experience it has brought to fans. 

“We are a 30-year-old ballpark, but that doesn’t mean we want to look and feel like a 30-year-old ballpark,” says Rosalie Morrison, Assistant Director, Facility Services for the Cleveland Guardians. "Thanks to the changes brought on by Comcast Business and Georgia Pacific, our operations are running smoother than ever. We’ve seen an increase in staff independence and buy-in, we’ve optimized processes and witnessed an overall improved experience at our park.”

Amid the team’s recent name change, Progressive Field saw an opportunity to revolutionize its facility and operations. Embracing innovation, they sought cutting-edge technology to help streamline maintenance needs and modernize the fan experience. 

Challenges 
Labor Shortages and Overburdened Staff: Labor shortages led to overburdened staff, resulting in inefficiencies and delays in restroom maintenance.

Manual Checks and Reactive Maintenance: Staff had to physically inspect restrooms to determine maintenance needs, wasting time and leading to suboptimal restroom conditions.

Costly Waste: Consumables were replaced based on a fixed schedule rather than actual need, leading to waste and unnecessary costs for replenishments.

A Smart Restroom Management System
To enhance janitorial efficiency and improve the fan experience, Progressive Field implemented the KOLO Smart Monitoring System, equipped with Comcast/MachineQ’s IoT network, due to its success in other professional stadiums.

The KOLO system was installed in 56 restroom facilities at Progressive Field, enabling real-time monitoring of supply levels and streamlined maintenance tasks. 

Comcast Business managed the IoT network deployment, including professional installation, configuration, and optimization. Their IT deployment services provided Progressive Field with experienced technicians, ensuring a quick and seamless installation. 

The sensor-enabled dispensers, integrated with the MachineQ IoT network, monitor supply levels and restroom conditions, communicating data to a central platform. When supply levels are low, janitorial staff receive real-time alerts via a mobile app, while facility teams can access alerts and analytics through a centralized dashboard.

During the installation process, all gateways were pre-provisioned, and KOLO devices were connected to the network in advance. This shortened implementation time while maximizing network reliability. Through this comprehensive effort, Progressive Field was equipped with a robust network infrastructure, empowering the venue to deliver exceptional experiences to its patrons and opening the door for future IoT initiatives.

Empowered Employees, Efficient Operations, Happy Fans
Rosalie Morrison highlights the transformative impact of the KOLO solution, the IoT network, and the comprehensive professional support services provided to the ballpark.

Operational Efficiency: Staff accessed real-time data on consumable levels and restroom conditions through an app, eliminating manual checks. This led to an 80 percent increase in operational efficiency, saving 500 hours annually.

Cost Savings and Sustainability: Optimizing the use of consumables helped reduce waste and lower supply costs, and aligned with Progressive Field’s sustainability initiatives achieving a 50 percent reduction in paper waste.

Insights and Strategic Planning: The system collects data on restroom usage patterns, informing staffing and supply decisions. Knowing which restrooms are busiest helps staff allocate resources more effectively, especially during events with varying attendance levels.

Data Driving Cross-functional Benefits: The data generated by the KOLO System has value beyond the restroom. It frees up janitorial staff’s time to prioritize other areas of the ballpark, such as the high-traffic concourses, while providing other teams with valuable insights into attendance trends to help inform promotions and process improvements.

Improved Employee Experience: The user-friendly technology has been embraced by staff, enhancing their ability to manage restroom maintenance effectively. 

“Seeing the relief that these supervisors have because they do not have time to run around and make sure that all the dispensers are filled... They have time to maybe pull up their phone and check the levels, which has been a huge advantage for us,” says Morrison.

Enhanced Restroom Facilities: Implementing the KOLO solution has helped lead to cleaner, better-stocked restrooms, dramatically improving the customer environment and reducing the number of complaints from fans who weren’t happy with prior bathroom conditions.

Unlocking the Power of Partnership
GP PRO’s strategic alliance with Comcast Business and MachineQ has equipped the company with a scalable IoT network platform and rapid deployment capabilities, enabling them to serve more customers and expand their market presence, while delivering increased value for their customers. For Comcast Business and MachineQ, partnering with GP PRO facilitates entry into new markets with smart building solutions and access to new customer segments. 

Looking forward, the trio is committed to expanding their partnership and offering new solutions at scale across large venues and facilities. This strategic vision aims to continuously unlock the power of partnership, driving innovation, and delivering exceptional value to customers.