Bidvest Noonan

A leading provider of facilities services and solutions

Innovation

Bidvest Noonan Becomes First FM Services Company to Introduce New Specialist Cleaning Technology

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Bidvest Noonan is the first in its industry across the UK and Ireland to introduce a brand-new range of specialist cleaning technology for its customers. Developed for cleanroom environments, where contamination control is critical, this technology enables the high standards of cleaning required in these spaces to be achieved with greater efficiency than ever before.

The SAFE-T range was developed to meet the needs of a Bidvest Noonan customer, a globally renowned technology brand, that sought a more advanced and specialised solution for its world-class cleanrooms. To support its customer, Bidvest Noonan engaged Clenli Direct, who worked closely with i-Team Global, the manufacturers, to bring the range to market.

“Our strategic partner Bidvest Noonan introduced JLL to Clenli Direct and i-Team Global, their excellent engineers worked with our problem statement and design ideas, this collaboration of engineering and cleanroom expertise has resulted in an innovative product and relationship that we at JLL are proud to be part of.” said Spencer Price, Cleanroom Facilities Manager at JLL.

“We are proud to have played a role in the inception of this new range of technology,” said David Barker, Chief Growth Officer at Bidvest Noonan. “We have a long track record of innovating to help our customers overcome challenges, and strong partnerships have always been central to that success. We were delighted to mark the launch of the SAFE-T range alongside JLL, Clenli Direct and i-Team Global, and we look forward to bringing the benefits of this technology to our customers across the UK and Ireland.”

Officially launched in Dublin on 12 March 2025 at an event attended by industry leaders and experts, the SAFE-T line brings vast improvements to cleanroom cleaning. One of the machines in its range is the SAFE-T-IMOP, the first battery-powered scrubber dryer designed for both cleanroom and general use. It reduces cleaning time by up to 50% compared to traditional flat mopping and has been independently tested to meet ISO 14644 cleanroom standards.

Bidvest Noonan’s adoption of this technology reinforces its leadership in the FM industry, particularly in high-tech and regulated sectors such as pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, technology, and life sciences.

Bidvest Noonan Launches TwinSpace, its Digital Twin Solution

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Bidvest Noonan has launched TwinSpace, its new digital twin technology solution. TwinSpace provides our clients with 3D virtual replicas of their facilities to improve training, project management, occupancy planning, and more.

TwinSpace is gaining fast traction, particularly in sectors where training and space utilisation are critical. Its accurate 3D models of facilities allow our teams to complete site-specific training remotely. New team members can familiarise themselves with the facility before arriving on-site, ensuring they are well-prepared from day one.

TwinSpace captures precise spatial data to create highly accurate floor plans. These schematic plans include precise measurements and define floor areas within buildings. This level of detail enables our teams to plan for work schedules, space management, and optimising resource allocation more effectively.

Our TwinSpace technicians can create virtual models for clients within hours, using unobtrusive, lightweight technologies. The models offer an intuitive, user-friendly experience and require minimal onboarding.

Whether visualising a room layout or navigating an entire building, TwinSpace simplifies space analysis and decision-making, providing a realistic view without the need for on-site visits. Embedded resources such as PDFs and videos provide detailed instructions and insights for tenants, maintenance teams, and facility managers, improving overall operational efficiency.

Peter Smyth, Director of Technology and Innovation, said, “TwinSpace enhances training, supports space planning, and enables better operational decision-making. It equips teams and managers with the critical information they need, whether planning projects or managing day-to-day tasks. This tool is a valuable asset for our customers across all sectors.”

Cormac Sheils, Chief Operating Officer, added, “TwinSpace has already made a significant impact, with clients seeing real improvements in training efficiency, space management, and decision-making. I’m confident that TwinSpace will continue to deliver exceptional value for our customers.”

Click below to read our exclusive TwinSpace brochure

Bidvest Noonan’s Altius VR onboards 1,600 officers in phase one

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We are delighted to announce the launch of our VR training programme, Altius, with more than 1,600 security officers onboarded for phase one of the programme. Altius see security officers train in virtual environments using VR headsets. These environments are perfect replicas of their actual workplaces, each recreated from real settings with advanced 3D camera technology.

The training immerses officers in highly realistic simulations where they are challenged to resolve a wide range of security issues, developing their skills, and honing their reactions in a low-risk environment. Through the creation of vivid deeply engaging experiences, Altius aims to close the gap between training and the real world.

The officers are using VR headsets, which have been designed by Meta to be lightweight, ergonomic highly performant. The headsets and their accompanying wireless handheld controllers are shipped to our sites, enabling officers to access bespoke immersive training where they work. This means the programme can scale to tens of thousands while the company can measure performance down to the individual level, pinpointing specific aspects of training an officer needs help with, and ensuring each officer can get the best possible outcome.

There is robust evidence supporting the effectiveness of VR training. According to a PwC study, VR not only enhances participant confidence by up to 40% compared to traditional methods but also achieves significant cost savings and greater emotional engagement when scaled. Learners complete training four times faster and are substantially more focused and inclusive post-training.

Raj Pradhan, Operations Director and Altius lead said “our Altius programme delivers an unparalleled learning experience and unmatched results. We have found that our officers are eager and excited to participate. They emerge from their training with more skills and confidence than can be achieved through conventional classroom and online approaches. Our programmes have been carefully designed to ensure our officers have all of the skills they need to perform at the highest levels and we are very impressed with the improvements we have seen in officers who have completed the programme.”

Liz Cummins, Managing Director “this technology is enabling us to close the gap between the training room and real-world situations. We are excited about the difference it is making for our people and the benefits it is delivering for all the customers who adopted it. We believe that in the coming years, more companies in our industry will develop and deploy VR training programmes and this will substantially improve security and service quality across the industry.”

Bidvest Noonan Has Launched Task – Our Cloud-Based Operations Platform for Intelligence-Driven Services

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We are delighted to announce the launch of Task, a cutting-edge cloud-based operations platform. Developed for our 27,000-strong workforce, Task was engineered to enhance service processes, employee management, and asset tracking, transforming the way our company operates in the field.

Task will change the way service teams work, allowing them to leverage real-time data generation and analysis to provide actionable insights for continual service improvement. Its comprehensive suite of applications caters to diverse operational needs across the company, ensuring enhanced quality, accountability, and consistency in our service delivery.

The platform’s capability to attach detailed instructions and guides to tasks ensures consistently high service standards, focusing on safety and professionalism. Our cleaning teams can access specific instructions for impeccable results, boosting client satisfaction. Teams can access integrated Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS) and Schedules. Security colleagues benefit from Task’s GPS and NFC technologies, which ensure proof of presence and detailed digital audit trails, thereby offering clients enhanced assurance. The integrated panic button is a highly valuable safety feature, ensuring swift emergency responses for security personnel.

Task’s digital approach to operational documents plays a crucial role in supporting Bidvest Noonan’s commitment to environmental sustainability, significantly reducing paper usage and contributing to broader environmental goals.

Eddie Ingram, our Transformation Director comments, “With Task, we’re taking a significant step towards a more efficient, technology-driven future. It’s a standout platform, fit for the data-oriented and innovative company we have become. Task is key in our strategy to transform how we work and lead in our industry.”

Introducing Dynamic Workplace

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We are delighted to announce the launch of our Dynamic Workplace solution. This intelligence-driven solution employs cutting-edge sensor-based technology to optimise service performance, resource utilisation, and transform service management and workplace experiences.


Dynamic Workplace utilises LoRaWAN sensors, which employ long-life batteries and Wi-Fi technology, enabling flexible, easy placement throughout facilities without additional power or connectivity needs. These discreet, wireless sensors provide real-time data on various aspects such as occupancy, temperature, and lighting. By aligning service and resource allocation with actual usage patterns, Dynamic Workplace significantly reduces unnecessary consumption and costs. For example, with Dynamic Workplace, customers can identify when spaces are not in use, allowing them to save on lighting and heating while service teams can reorganise their work plans for greater productivity.


Bidvest Noonan’s Dynamic Workplace solution also enables greater space utilisation. For example, occupancy data can reveal underutilised areas, allowing for a reconfiguration of space to better meet the needs of the workforce or to identify opportunities for energy savings. The service solution is receiving strong support in the market, particularly in sectors with large facilities such as those in Higher Education. Four large universities have already embraced the company’s technology.


‘At Bidvest Noonan, we’re excited about the transformative impact of Dynamic Workplace. The initial feedback from our clients, has been overwhelmingly positive,’ says Peter Smyth, Director of Innovation and Technology. ‘We’ve seen customers harness this technology to not only streamline their operations but also to significantly enhance their sustainability efforts.’

The impact of the AI Act on the facilities Industry

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On Wednesday, the EU passed the world’s first comprehensive AI law, the Artificial Intelligence Act. This Act is set to establish unprecedented standards for AI usage and regulatory compliance. Its significance will be particularly pronounced for the private security and facilities industries in the EU. However, the significance of this Act extends far beyond EU borders, potentially influencing future legislative approaches in other markets.

Notably, the UK has outlined its approach to AI regulation in its 2023 white paper. The UK’s strategy shares common principles with the EU’s legislation. The white paper advocates for a new regulatory framework for high-risk AI systems and risk assessments for AI tool usage.

Implications for the Private Security Industry


Central to the EU’s AI Act are provisions designed to safeguard fundamental rights and public safety. The legislation classifies AI systems based on their risk potential, with stringent regulations for high-risk applications and an outright ban on specific uses such as certain untargeted facial recognition and mass surveillance techniques. For the private security industry in the EU, these measures may necessitate a careful evaluation of surveillance practices and technologies in the future. The act prohibits the use of AI systems that “create or expand facial recognition databases through the untargeted scraping of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage”.

The Act restricts the use of ‘real-time’ remote biometric identification systems in publicly accessible areas for law enforcement purposes, permitting their usage only under specific, tightly defined circumstances, such as the search for victims of serious crimes or the prevention of substantial, imminent threats.

The act will present challenges in terms of compliance and operational adjustments for Security providers as they deploy AI. Security firms will need to conduct comprehensive audits of their AI technologies, ensuring alignment with the Act’s requirements. A crucial component of adapting to the new landscape involves educating both staff and stakeholders about the ethical, legal, and operational implications of the AI Act.

The Artificial Intelligence Act is a landmark in the regulation of AI technologies, with far-reaching implications for the private security industry. Ultimately, this legislation aims to pave the way for a safer, more ethical future. As the industry adapts, it remains to be seen how these regulations will shape the landscape of AI in security. Bidvest Noonan is closely monitoring the developments and its dedicated teams are working together to ensure compliance with the Act and careful consideration of the use of AI technology in our business.

Commentary by Peter Smyth, Director of Technology & Innovation, And Olga Mitropoulou, Director of Risk & Compliance