Cleaning concentrate dispenser and associated method for using the same

A method of managing cleaning concentrate inventory across a plurality of dispenser locations, comprising the steps of:

• at each of a plurality of cleaning concentrate dispenser units, docking a container at the dispenser unit;
• reading, via an RFID reader at each dispenser unit, identification data from the container;
• sensing, via a level sensor at each dispenser unit, a solution level in the container;
• calculating, via a controller at each dispenser unit, a dose quantity and dispensing cleaning concentrate into the container;
• logging dispensing data at each dispenser unit including quantity dispensed, date and time of dispensing, and container identification;
• calculating, via the controller at each dispenser unit, a perpetual inventory of cleaning concentrate based on the dispensing data;
• transmitting the dispensing data and perpetual inventory from each dispenser unit to a remote management system;
• aggregating the transmitted data at the remote management system;
• and
• generating usage analytics comparing actual cleaning concentrate use to predetermined standards.

A method of verifying product compatibility and controlling cleaning concentrate dispensing, comprising the steps of:

• docking a cleaning concentrate container and a ready-to-use container at a dispenser assembly;
• reading, via an RFID reader, a first identification from the cleaning concentrate container;
• reading, via the RFID reader, a second identification from the ready-to-use container;
• sensing, via a level sensor, a solution level in the ready-to-use container;
• comparing, via a controller, the first identification and the second identification to determine whether the cleaning concentrate product is compatible with the ready-to-use container product designation;
• calculating, via the controller, a dose quantity based on at least the solution level and a dilution ratio;
• selectively enabling or preventing dispensing based on the product compatibility determination;
• dispensing, upon confirmed compatibility, the calculated dose quantity into the ready-to-use container;
• and
• logging the dispensing event with date, time, quantity, and both container identifications.