Manufacturing Maintenance Software

Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software stores maintenance information in one centralized location to help businesses oversee how well their equipment functions. Today’s CMMS is highly mobile, allowing for better equipment tracking and reporting for on-the-go workers. It also helps with communication between maintenance technicians as well as various departments involved with operations.

There are several benefits to managing your maintenance operations digitally. These include:

• Reducing equipment downtime: A manual maintenance management system (through paper work orders or Excel spreadsheets) can lead to stress demands on equipment and technician time, which can increase asset downtime. CMMS software helps address these issues, giving maintenance managers the ability to clearly manage scheduling, labor and tools needed to complete a job. 
• Increasing productivity and team communication: CMMS software sends automated alerts to maintenance teams to ensure work is getting done on time. The software also allows for more effective communication between all parties involved in a task through in-app messaging within a given work order.
• Enhancing reporting capabilities: A CMMS tracks steps taken during the repair or maintenance process and creates reports using real-time metrics that managers can use to make decisions about operational efficiency.

There are several general factors to take into account when comparing different CMMS software solutions for your manufacturing company’s benefit. These are the key ones to consider:

• Ease of use
• Customization
• Preventive maintenance scheduling
• Asset management
• Communication
• Tracking tools and reporting

In order to have a successful CMMS implementation, we recommend following these four steps:

1. Define the goals, needs and maintenance KPIs you want to track.
2. Make sure all stakeholders are on the same page.
3. Involve your team in early adoption.
4. Plan for scalability.

EAM software is similar to CMMS software, but the two have some key differences. Both solutions help companies digitize their maintenance strategies, but the two differ in their features, scope and how comprehensively they address asset management needs. A CMMS primarily focuses on managing and maintaining assets while they are operational. EAM software, however, offers a more holistic approach, overseeing the entire asset lifecycle, from procurement to disposal.