What is CMMS?
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What is CMMS?
Computerized Maintenance Management System
A "Computerized Maintenance Management System" is a computer software program that assists maintenance teams to track all assets they are responsible for including scheduling maintenance and maintaining historical records of the work performed!
There are some differences between these terms, they share a fundamental set of features that can be used in very similar ways.
What is a CMMS Used For?
CMMS solutions provide a long list of tasks for maintenance teams, including:
What Does a CMMS Look Like?
Where Do You Install CMMS Software?
Two common places to deploy CMMS software:
- on a computer or server at the client's business
- internet-hosted app, or Saas (software as a service)
On-Premise Solutions
When a business is responsible for running its own CMMS, it is called on-premise solution. The benefit of this kind of installation is full control of the network access to the CMMS server, and complete privacy of the data (relevant for defense contractors, for example). However, the drawback is that it's expensive: the IT department has to be constantly looking after the server. Also, backups have to be done by the maintenance team and are often forgotten. Finally, the software can quickly go out of date if updates aren't regularly installed.
SaaS Solutions
In contrast, when the CMMS runs online, we call it Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). In this scenario, the CMMS company takes care of all the IT, hosting, security, and backups. As a result, the system can be accessed through any computer with a browser like Google Chrome—no extra software is needed on the maintenance person's computer.
Another strength is that new software updates are constantly applied to the system. The client is always using the latest version. The drawback of having your system hosted by someone else is that you can only use the software as long as the internet connection is working. Also, it is important to use a SaaS CMMS that lets you export the information in your system so that you can migrate it if needed.
What Are the Benefits of CMMS Software?
By implementing a Computerized Maintenance Management System, you can expect many benefits including:
Fewer Work Outages: preventive maintenance is easier to manage, minimizing unplanned asset breakdowns.
Information Capture: record problems and solutions in the CMMS, a tool everyone has access to, not just in an experienced staff members head.
Better Accountability: know when work is completed and by whom, increasing the transparency of your maintenance department.
Savings on Purchases: inventory planning features give you the time to shop around for spare parts--finding the best price, instead of having to rush a purchase at top dollar.
Less Overtime: by utilizing the scheduling component of your CMMS you can schedule better; less idle time, even task distribution among staff, and less overtime pay.
Certification & Analysis: a full record of assets, including performance and maintenance, helps managers manage maintenance team performance and compliance.
Who Uses CMMS Software?
Every industry we can think of needs some level of maintenance, CMMS systems helps to record and plan that maintenance. There are 4 major types of users for these systems:
Production Maintenance - these are companies that make things, i.e. manufacturers. They have machines, assembly lines, forklifts, and heavy equipment to take care of.
Facility Maintenance - these are companies that take care of buildings. Hospitals, schools, hotels, and government buildings all require maintenance. A CMMS software helps them maintain structural, HVAC, and plumbing problems.
Fleet Maintenance - these are companies that take care of vehicles. Transportation companies , delivery companies, and fleets of trucks all need scheduled maintenance and occasionally repairs. CMMS solutions can help companies maintain their vehicles for safety and profits.
The Future of CMMS
Modern CMMS companies are focusing on these areas as a direction for future development:
Mobile CMMS Applications Ask around and most maintenance workers will tell you they don't spend a lot of time in the office. They're out fixing machines or taking care of buildings. Being able to access CMMS data or enter it out in the field via mobile phone or tablet makes their jobs much more efficient.
Easy to Use Many CMMS products on the market are difficult to use and don't keep the end user in mind. Choose a CMMS product that is simple to navigate and use so that even the most novice computer user can get their work done.
Fast CMMS Data Entry The majority of CMMS projects fail because it is labor intensive to set up the application and create all the assets/buildings, record all inventory, and set up Preventative Maintenance Work Orders, SOP's, and everything else the maintenance team needs to input BEFORE they start using the CMMS solution. At Ashcom Technologies, we have a team of experts ready to help move your existing data into the MiantiMizer system, helping you start off on the right foot.
