As commercial cleaning operators across Europe seek to eliminate fragmented software tools and spreadsheets, Dutch tech firm Klien IT is expanding its cloud-based ERP platform built specifically for the facility management and cleaning sector. Founded by Antonio Kouwenberg, Klien IT unifies workforce planning, time registration, HRM, CRM, invoicing, payroll reporting, and quality control within a single operational environment. The platform consists of three integrated layers: KlienUp for back-office administration, KlienApp – a mobile application available in over 30 languages for field staff and supervisors – and KlienAI, featuring built-in AI assistant Kai. Operating directly on live operational data, Kai assists management with schedule adjustments, labor cost analysis, anomaly detection in registered hours, travel-cost calculations, and financial insights. With established operations across several European markets, Klien IT is targeting further international growth, identifying Romania as a strategic market for local partnerships and digital transformation.
Interview with Antonio Kouwenberg, Founder of Klien IT.
A brief description of the company and its activities.
Antonio Kouwenberg: Klien IT develops cloud-based ERP software built specifically for the professional cleaning industry. We started from a simple observation: cleaning companies should not need five systems, spreadsheets and manual work to run one operation. Klien IT brings planning, employees, hours, customers and finance together in one practical platform. Our software is already used by cleaning companies in several European countries, while our employee app is available in more than 30 languages. We build technology for one purpose: to make cleaning companies faster, smarter and easier to manage.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
A.K: We focus entirely on software for cleaning companies. Our platform covers HRM and CRM, workforce planning, time registration, employee and supervisor apps, quality inspections, stock, communication, invoicing, accounting, payroll reporting, e-invoicing and integrations with external payroll and accounting systems. We also guide customers through implementation and keep developing the platform together with the sector. That focus matters: we know the workflows, the pressure points and the reality behind the software.
What’s the news about new products/services?
A.K: The biggest step in 2026 is KlienAI and our AI colleague, Kai. We do not see AI as a separate chatbot sitting next to the ERP. Kai is built into the operational platform and works with the company’s own data. It can help adjust planning, analyse labour costs and margins, identify anomalies in hours, prepare financial insights, support travel-cost calculations and assist with data migration. At the same time, we are expanding accounting, analytics and quality control. The direction is clear: less clicking, less manual work and more intelligent automation inside the core operation.
What are the ranges of products/services?
A.K: Klien IT is one connected platform with three clear layers. KlienUp is the back-office environment for management, planning and administration. KlienApp gives employees and supervisors direct access to schedules, time registration, files, communication and operational information. KlienAI adds intelligence across the same data. Customers can start with the modules they need and expand into finance, analytics and integrations as they grow. That makes Klien IT suitable for both smaller cleaning businesses and larger organisations that want to replace fragmented software with one system.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
A.K: The cleaning market is under constant pressure to become more efficient. Labour is the largest cost, administrative requirements keep growing and teams are often multilingual, mobile and spread across many customer locations. Yet many companies still run on a mix of spreadsheets, planning tools, payroll software, separate apps and accounting packages. That creates duplicate work and limited visibility. The demand is shifting quickly towards integrated platforms that connect operations and finance. We see strong momentum in our current markets and substantial room to expand further across Europe.
What can you tell us about market trends?
A.K: Three trends are accelerating. First, companies are moving away from fragmented tools towards one integrated source of data. Second, mobile and multilingual working is becoming a basic requirement, not an extra. Third, AI is moving from experimentation to execution. The winners will not be the companies with the most AI features, but the ones that apply AI directly to real workflows. In cleaning, that means planning, hours, contracts, payroll, finance and compliance. We also see rising demand for real-time financial insight, automated administration and seamless connections between ERP, payroll, banking and e-invoicing.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
A.K: Our strongest innovation is the combination of a complete cleaning ERP with AI embedded directly into the platform. Because Kai works with the same operational data as KlienUp and KlienApp, it can go beyond answering questions: it can support decisions and help execute work. At the same time, our platform connects the office directly with employees in the field. A planning change made in KlienUp is immediately visible in KlienApp, in the employee’s own language. That combination of sector knowledge, one data model, mobile working and AI is where we see the biggest productivity gains.
What estimations do you have for the second half of 2026?
A.K: Our priorities for the second half of 2026 are straightforward: accelerate product development, deepen the role of AI and expand internationally. Kai will become increasingly integrated into daily workflows, while we continue improving accounting, analytics, quality control and integrations. Commercially, Romania is a market we are watching with particular interest. It has the scale, growth potential and operational complexity where a multilingual, cloud-based cleaning ERP can add real value. We believe Klien IT can become a strong fit for Romanian cleaning companies that want to professionalise and digitise quickly. We are therefore actively open to local partnerships, market introductions and conversations with Romanian cleaning businesses looking for a modern alternative to fragmented systems.
