The purpose of CMMS is to help organizations identify problems before they become expensive repairs or even worse—losses in production due to equipment failure. A CMMS allows you to:
- Track all your maintenance activities from start to finish
- Have access to information about your assets at all times (including their current location and status)
- Keep track of your equipment inventory so that you know what you have and where it’s located
- Make sure everything is up-to-date with the current manufacturer’s recommendations for use and maintenance.
How Does CMMS Software Work?
CMMS software is used to automate the maintenance and management of resources and tasks.
The software enables you to track the status of all your equipment, including its location, condition, and usage. It is also able to automatically notify you when an asset needs attention.
A CMMS software allows you to manage your workforce more efficiently by tracking labor hours, scheduling shifts, and helping you calculate payroll taxes.
The software can also track preventive maintenance tasks so that you can schedule them in advance or as necessary.
You can even use CMMS software to manage materials and inventory so that you know exactly what items are available for use when working on a project or completing a task.
In addition to these features, CMMS software also offers reporting capabilities so that you can analyze data about your business’s performance (such as which locations are seeing the most wear-and-tear).
What Are the Benefits of Using a CMMS?
1. Workflow visibility and work order management
With a CMMS, you’ll know exactly who needs to perform which tasks, when they need to be completed, and how much time it takes to complete them. This means that you’ll never lose track of any maintenance work.
2. Mobile workforce
A CMMS allows for mobile workers, as well as remote access by employees who may be traveling or working remotely. This ensures that all employees have access to information about their work orders at any time.
3. Asset lifecycle visibility
With an effective CMMS in place, you’ll have access to data about all aspects of your assets’ lifecycles—including maintenance history (including preventive maintenance) as well as warranty.
4. Consistency and knowledge transfer
A CMMS helps to standardize maintenance processes across your organization and ensures that everyone uses the same, proven method for every task. This makes it easier for new employees to learn about how you do things, and also makes it easier to train existing employees on new maintenance procedures.
5. The road to prescriptive maintenance
Prescriptive maintenance refers to a system where all tasks are performed according to a plan that has been developed by an expert in the field, such as an engineer. A CMMS allows you to develop these plans, which can then be used by any employee who needs them—whether they are working on-site or remotely.
6. Regulatory compliance and audits
CMMS helps ensure that your organization meets all regulatory requirements for its industry and location, including those related to health and safety issues. It also allows you to conduct regular audits so that you can make sure your facilities are up-to-date with their safety protocols at all times.
What’s the Difference Between CMMS and EAM?
If you’ve heard of EAM (Enterprise Asset Management), you’re likely thinking about CMMS. But EAM and CMMS are two distinct things. CMMS is a form of EAM—it focuses on consolidating information to simplify and automate maintenance management actions.
EAM is a resource lifecycle management avenue that ascertains asset performance from procurement to disposal. The EAM adopts data from different sources to aid organizations to make improved decisions about their equipment more efficiently and evade unnecessary downtime.
Considerations When Selecting CMMS Software
As you consider the various CMMS options, it’s important to keep some things in mind. Here are a few considerations that will help you choose the best CMMS software for your organization.
First, you’ll want to make sure that the software can handle the amount of data your team generates. The more data you have, the more complex your system needs to be. And the more complex your system is, the harder it is to maintain.
Second, you’ll want to make sure that staffing and development resources align with asset management needs. If your team is understaffed, it might not be able to keep up with asset management responsibilities. This is especially important if your company has recently undergone a merger or acquisition—you may need more resources than before to manage all of those assets effectively.
Thirdly, it’s important to consider modernizing your CMMS system. You should look for software that allows for integration with other systems like ERP so that you can streamline processes across departments and improve efficiency throughout the organization.
Finally, take into account training and support services when selecting a new solution—they can help ensure smooth implementation and ongoing use of the system once it’s in place.
Engage with a CMMS Expert
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Want to know if a CMMS solution is right for you?
Download our GIMBA guide, Request a Demo, or email us at sales@gimba.io or call (312) 532-1681 to schedule a one-on-one consultation with an expert today and explore how CMMS can help your organization run smoothly.
