Ask Opora

What it does

Ask Opora is the platform's general-purpose Q&A interface — a cited answer engine for any commercial cleaning operational question. It searches the same knowledge base as the specialized tools (OSHA standards, BLS data, ISSA benchmarks, state regulations) and returns answers with citations to the source document. Use it for questions that don't fit neatly into one of the specialized tools.

When to use it

• Answering a client's technical question on the spot during a site visit or proposal meeting.
• Looking up an OSHA standard, ISSA benchmark, or state regulation you need cited.
• Getting a quick second opinion on a operational decision — "what's the industry standard for turnover rate among commercial cleaning crews?"
• Exploring a topic before deciding which specialized tool to use.
• Training staff on procedures, safety standards, or industry terminology.

Step-by-step

1. Type your question in the input field. Plain language works best — no need to phrase it as a query.
2. Optionally add context: "I'm in California" or "for a 15-person crew" to calibrate the answer.
3. Press Enter or click Ask. Answers stream in within 5–15 seconds.
4. Review the answer and the citations section at the bottom, which links to the source documents the answer drew from.

Tips that change outcomes

• Include state context when it's relevant. Labor law, licensing, and wage questions have state-specific answers. "What's the minimum wage for janitors?" returns a national overview. "What's the minimum wage for janitors in Chicago?" returns the actual current rate with citation.
• Ask follow-up questions. The conversation context carries forward — you don't have to re-explain the situation in every message. "What did you mean by that?" or "How does that apply to subcontractors?" works naturally.
• Citations are the point — use them. Every answer includes citations. When you share the answer with a client, facility manager, or auditor, include the cited source. An answer you can point to a statute or benchmark is more persuasive than an opinion.
• For complex multi-step tasks, use a specialized tool. Ask Opora excels at cited answers to specific questions. For bid drafting, compliance checklists, or hiring packages, use the dedicated tool for that task — the output is significantly more structured and actionable.

Inputs explained

Outputs explained

• Answer: A direct, cited response to your question. Length scales with complexity — a simple factual question gets a short answer; a multi-part policy question gets a structured response with sections.
• Citations: Links or references to the source documents the answer drew from. Always review citations for high-stakes decisions.

Limits

Anonymous users get 3 free Ask Opora sessions per day. Each submitted question counts as one run. See the limits page.

Troubleshooting

The answer doesn't include citations.

This can happen when the question is outside the cleaning-industry knowledge base scope (general business questions, topics not covered by the indexed sources). Rephrase the question to be more specific to cleaning operations, or try Ask Deep for broader general research.

The answer is incorrect or outdated.

The knowledge base is updated periodically but not in real time. For time-sensitive regulatory information (wage rates, state licensing fees), verify against the primary source — the citations tell you exactly where to look.