The technology world is full of acronyms, but CMMS is one that manufacturing plants would do well to know.
CMMS stands for Computerized Maintenance Management System. This software package is designed to help companies simplify their maintenance-related activities, but can also assist in other areas. Let’s take a closer look at what CMMS looks like and how it can simplify and improve your daily operations.
Why Use a Computerized Maintenance Management System?
It’s not surprising to know that there is now a software solution that can help just about any area of your business. Where departments were relying on paper records and written communications just a couple decades ago, they’re now turning toward integrated computerized solutions to facilitate their tasks.
CMMS is one such solution specifically made for maintenance departments to manage and track their performance. Because of advancements like CMMS, maintenance is transitioning from reactive to proactive, occurring not just when things go wrong but actively seeking to prevent equipment issues and failure.
CMMS solutions make it possible (and feasible) for companies to generate reports and determine where they can best utilize their efforts. By performing regular preventative services, companies can expect to increase the lifetime of their equipment, reduce emergency maintenance costs, prevent potential job site injuries and incidents associated with equipment failure, and ultimately enjoy higher profits.
Core Capacities of CMMS Software
A CMMS software solution offers a multitude of valuable benefits to your company. Take a look at a few of the biggest perks you can expect:
Team Collaboration
One of the most appreciated upsides to a CMMS is the ability for teams to communicate and access central data from a single system. All the information your maintenance department needs is housed in a central hub, which makes it easy for team members to retrieve, log, and share data. You can set restrictions and access by job title or other criteria to keep sensitive information under wraps, if necessary.
Task Reminders and Alerts
You’ll never miss a routine maintenance audit or work order again. CMMS solutions allow you to schedule tasks weeks, months, or even years into the future and will remind you about them so you never miss a beat. These digital work calendars can prove useful in helping you stay organized and manage your team’s time efficiently.
Work Order Management
All your work orders can be managed in a single system. Rather than filling out forms by hand, you can log as you go to eliminate double entry and the potential for clerical error. Your work orders can be customized to fit your company’s needs, providing you as much detail as you require about a specific activity.
Inventory Management
Machines require a long list of parts and components, and you can manage it all from your CMMS. At a glance, you can see what you have on hand, be it oil and grease or mechanical parts, and know what you need to order while also managing inventory costs.
Activity History
Arguably the biggest benefit lies in having a digital archive of all maintenance-related activities that are easily accessed through your CMMS. Companies who have been using paper records may still have to manage data that’s 15, 20, or even 30 years old. Sifting through machine maintenance records isn’t just time-consuming, it’s also profit-consuming and takes valuable time away from your regular duties.
When you’re able to add maintenance activities and other details to your CMMS, you can find a machine’s entire history within a few clicks, saving you time and money and helping you get back to work sooner.
There’s no question that the right CMMS solution can help you run a better business. Subscribe to our blog to receive regular updates on CMMS best practices.