Honest FMX Review: Is FMX a Good CMMS?

FMX is a user-friendly software designed to help facility managers stay on top of all their maintenance needs. It’s a digital hub where you can easily track work orders, schedule preventive maintenance, manage inventory and even handle facility rentals — all in one place. 

In writing this FMX review, we found the software to be especially great for teams that are constantly juggling requests and trying to keep buildings running smoothly without getting overwhelmed. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, FMX’s clean layout and simple design make it easy to use. It’s basically like having a maintenance command center right in your pocket.

Per our research, FMX is praised for being user-friendly, even for teams with less tech experience. However, when comparing it to other CMMS solutions, FMX falls short in areas that matter most to deskless workers — namely mobile usability and real-time flexibility. FMX’s mobile experience lacks the intuitive flow that maintenance workers need on the go, and updates across desktop and mobile aren’t always seamless. FMX offers strong core functionality, but it often requires a learning curve and relies on traditional ticketing flows that aren’t as agile or adaptable in fast-paced environments. 

One of the most common frustrations with FMX (and one we ran into as well) is the lack of transparency in accessing the software. Several users have noted that it’s difficult to get a clear demo or pricing information upfront, as the sales team often requires multiple steps before providing access. If you’re interested in signing up for FMX, expect to go through a sales-driven process that may require persistence and follow-up to get the details you need. As such, this FMX review is based on extensive research in lieu of a free trial.

Why Trust Coast?

At Coast, we take our software reviews seriously. Our review methodology evaluates software across seven critical categories that help differentiate the solutions from one another. Each category receives a score from one to five, with five being the highest, and a maximum possible score of 35 points.

FMX Ease of Use

FMX generally receives positive reviews when it comes to ease of setup and user interface. Users on platforms like G2 and Capterra consistently say that getting started with the software is relatively easy, especially with onboarding support from the FMX team. Setup doesn’t require technical expertise, and system admins can configure user permissions, workflows and modules without much hassle. The interface is clean and modern, with a dashboard that presents key tasks and metrics clearly. Features like the calendar view and status tracking are especially helpful for visualizing work.

Creating items such as work orders, assets and locations is also straightforward. Many reviewers note that creating a work order takes just a few clicks, with dropdown fields and autofill suggestions streamlining the process. Updating a work order — whether changing the status, reassigning a task or uploading a photo — is similarly simple. FMX’s search functionality is robust, and filters are intuitive, allowing users to quickly locate work orders by status, location or assigned personnel. While some advanced features may take a little extra learning, most users find the core tasks easy to discover and use daily.

FMX Mobile Experience 

A lot of workers in the maintenance industry report having limited experience with digital tools. Because of this, the usability of a CMMS mobile app is critical. FMX does offer a mobile-responsive web app rather than a dedicated app from the App Store or Google Play. According to user reviews on G2 and Reddit, the mobile experience is functional but somewhat limited compared to the desktop version. Navigation is generally straightforward, with users able to view and update work orders, check maintenance schedules and add comments or images.

However, some reviewers have mentioned that the interface is not always optimized for mobile, especially on smaller screens. While updating tasks and viewing assignments is possible, it can require extra steps compared to the desktop experience. The desktop and mobile interfaces do share the same data, but the layout and accessibility of features differ, which may confuse less tech-savvy users. Alerts and notifications are shown through email or SMS, not push notifications, which can really slow down real-time communication. In summary, while FMX does support mobile functionality, it may not be the most user-friendly option for older or less tech-savvy maintenance staff compared to apps with a mobile-first design.

FMX Core Features & Functionality

Let’s take a closer look at some of FMX’s core features and how they function for maintenance teams.

Work Order Management

FMX’s work order system is designed for clarity and efficiency. The dashboard employs color-coded statuses, allowing users to quickly identify the state of tasks — be it pending, in progress, or completed. This visual approach simplifies workload assessment and prioritization. Plus, the drag-and-drop calendar feature further enhances scheduling flexibility, enabling users to reschedule tasks effortlessly.

Filters are intuitive, allowing sorting by priority, due date, location or assignee, which streamlines task management. One highlight that really stood out to us is the ability to customize calendar colors based on request types or states, providing a tailored visual experience that aligns with organizational preferences.

Preventive Maintenance

FMX’s preventive maintenance module empowers users to schedule recurring tasks based on time intervals or usage metrics. Our research shows that the calendar view offers a comprehensive snapshot of upcoming maintenance activities, facilitating proactive planning. Users can automate preventive maintenance scheduling, reducing the reliance on reactive maintenance and enhancing operational efficiency.

The visual clarity of the calendar, combined with automated reminders, ensures that maintenance tasks are timely and well-coordinated. The color-coded calendar not only adds aesthetic appeal but also aids in quickly distinguishing between different maintenance activities.

Asset Management & Tracking

FMX simplifies asset management by allowing users to create detailed asset profiles, including serial numbers, purchase dates and associated documentation. Assets can be assigned to specific locations, and their maintenance history is meticulously tracked.

We consider the system’s ability to import asset data via spreadsheets particularly beneficial, especially during initial setup, ensuring a smooth transition from legacy systems. This feature is appreciated by users who are migrating from manual tracking methods, as it significantly reduces data entry time and errors.

Communications Within Work Orders

FMX allows for internal comments on work orders but lacks real-time chat. However, users can attach files like manuals, images or standard operating procedures, which streamlines communication between technicians and managers. While not a replacement for texting or phone calls, it centralizes task-related information effectively.

Reporting & Analytics

FMX includes basic reporting in its free version, including work order completion rates and maintenance technician performance. Reports are downloadable and visualized with charts. While not the most advanced, users find it sufficient for tracking general trends.

Unique Features to FMX

A standout feature of FMX is its facility scheduling tool, which lets users manage room and equipment bookings alongside maintenance.

This is especially useful for schools or community centers, and it adds efficiency by combining two functions into one platform.

FMX Adaptability & Customization  

FMX offers a moderate level of customization that allows users to tailor forms and views to their workflow needs. According to the FMX Help Center and user reviews on platforms like G2 and Capterra, users can add and remove fields in the work order form through the admin settings. This includes creating custom fields such as dropdowns, text boxes or checklists to capture specific data relevant to a facility or industry. Similarly, custom fields can also be added to assets, locations and parts, allowing teams to track detailed information, such as warranty periods, part numbers or vendor contacts.

FMX also supports basic automations. For instance, users can set triggers to assign work orders to specific team members based on location or category, or to send email notifications when certain conditions are met. Renaming fields is possible within the platform, though some users note it may require admin access. Additionally, FMX enables teams to create and customize dashboard views using filters, columns and status indicators.

While this level of flexibility is sufficient for most use cases, some users on Reddit and G2 have mentioned that deeper customization — such as conditional logic in forms — is limited compared to more advanced CMMS software. Overall, FMX strikes a good balance between ease of use and functional adaptability.

FMX Customer Support

The responsiveness of FMX’s customer support is frequently highlighted in user reviews. Many users report receiving assistance within minutes, whether via email, phone or virtual meetings. For instance, a Facilities Coordinator noted, “Whether by email, phone call or Zoom, I have yet to be disappointed … by response time, helpfulness and just overall customer service.” Another user mentioned that the support team is “always available to help within minutes if we need it.”

FMX’s Help Center is detailed and user-friendly, offering a wealth of information on various topics, including admin settings, mobile app usage, API integrations and more. This resource is designed to empower users to find answers independently, though the support team remains readily available for more complex inquiries.​

FMX Pricing

Through our research, we found that FMX offers flexible pricing tailored to the specific needs of each organization, with plans typically ranging from $35 to $150 per user per month, depending on the number of users and features required. This pricing structure allows businesses to scale the solution according to their team size and operational complexity.

Overall, FMX’s pricing is considered reasonable and offers good value for money, particularly for small to mid-size businesses and educational institutions. However, it’s important to note that the total cost can vary based on the specific features and customizations required, so organizations should request a personalized quote to understand the full pricing structure.

Coast: The Better FMX Alternative

Ease of Use
Mobile Experience
Core Features & Functionality
Adaptability & Customization
Customer Support
Pricing
Customer Reviews

While FMX is particularly helpful for those in the facility maintenance space and offers a lot of the standard CMMS features that users expect, Coast provides more flexibility, real-time collaboration tools and ease of use in complex workflows. Here’s how Coast compares in five key areas:

• Ease of use and implementation: Coast is renowned for its intuitive interface and rapid deployment. Users report being operational within a day, a significant advantage over FMX’s more complex setup. This simplicity is particularly beneficial for teams with limited technical expertise. ​
• Customization and flexibility: Unlike FMX, Coast offers highly customizable workflows, allowing users to tailor fields for work orders, locations, assets and parts to match their specific operational needs. This level of flexibility ensures that the software adapts to the business, not the other way around. ​
• Mobile accessibility: Coast’s mobile maintenance app is designed for on-the-go maintenance teams, providing seamless access to work orders and asset information from any device. This ensures that technicians can perform their duties efficiently, regardless of location. ​
• Cost-effectiveness: Coast offers competitive pricing with flexible plans, including options for unlimited users, making it an economical choice for businesses of all sizes. In contrast, FMX’s pricing can be higher, especially for larger teams. ​
• Customer support: Users consistently praise Coast’s responsive and helpful customer support team, noting their willingness to assist with customization and promptly address issues. This level of support enhances the overall user experience and ensures smooth operation. ​

In summary, Coast’s user-friendly design, customizable features, mobile accessibility, cost-effectiveness and exceptional customer support make it a more compelling alternative to FMX for maintenance management needs.