You may have heard the phrase Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) thrown around without fully understanding what it means. In short, it’s a software that helps maintenance managers plan and track their departments’ work.
The importance of CMMS has grown exponentially in the last couple of decades as automation, efficiency and uptime are the prime goals of most industries. This article aims to inform you everything about CMMS, and why industries need it. We will also tell you some of the best CMMS software on the market.
What is CMMS or Computerized Maintenance Management Systems?
A computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) is a software package that consolidates data, people and processes related to manufacturing plants, equipment, vehicles and machinery for maintenance planning, scheduling, work order tracking and more. It is also known as Computerized Maintenance Management Information System.
Also referred as Computerized Maintenance Management Information System (CMMIS), it helps organizations store information about equipment, inventory, and labor in a central database. It further integrates and streamlines all processes related to maintenance for maximum up time. This information can then be used to generate reports that help managers make informed decisions about preventive maintenance and repair/replacement projects.
How Does CMMS Software Work?
CMMS software works by streamlining and automating all the operations related to maintenance and management of equipment. It works in three major stages.
Stage 1: Consolidating Data
The basic principle behind CMMS software is that it provides a central repository for all relevant data related to an organization’s maintenance operations.
This data can come from a variety of sources, including asset management systems, work order tracking systems, inventory management systems, and asset management systems.
Stage 2: Integrating and Streamlining Maintenance Operations
Once the data is entered into CMMS system, it helps with the coordination and management of all aspects of maintenance by ramping up information flow. This includes work order tracking, preventive maintenance scheduling, inventory management, and more.
By automating these processes, CMMS software helps organizations save time and resources while improving communication and coordination among different departments.
Stage 3: Reporting and Analytics
Finally, the CMMIS generates reports and analytics related to productivity, repairing, replacing, parts, cost, timing and more. These reports can be used to assess the performance of individual assets, identify maintenance issues, and track the progress of ongoing projects.
The goal is to provide managers with the information they need to make informed decisions about preventive maintenance, repair/replacement projects, and other aspects of their operations.
Functions of CMMS
There are several different types of CMMS software on the market, each with its own unique set of features and capabilities. However, most systems share a common core set of functionalities.
- Asset Registry and Service History: The CMMS maintains a registry of all assets and equipment. This includes cataloging information such as make, model, serial number, location, and service history. This data can be used to generate reports on individual assets or groups of assets.
- Work Order Tracking: It is used to track and manage work orders from start to finish. This includes creating work orders, assigning them to technicians, tracking progress, and closing them out once they are completed.
- Preventive Maintenance Scheduling: The CMM system schedules and tracks preventive maintenance tasks. This includes setting up recurring tasks, assigning them to technicians, and generating reports on completion rates.
- Inventory Management: It also manages inventory levels for spare parts and consumables. This includes tracking stock levels, reordering when necessary, and keeping track of usage rates.
- Labor Management: It can be used to track labor hours for maintenance activities. This includes clocking in/out times for technicians, tracking overtime hours, and generating reports on labor utilization rates.
- Analytics and Reporting: CMMIS software generates a variety of reports and analytics related to productivity, repairing, replacing, parts, cost, timing and more. These reports can be used to assess the performance of individual assets, identify trends in maintenance issues, and track the progress of ongoing projects.
Best CMMS Software for Plant and Machinery Management
Choosing CMMS software could be quite confusing as different software has different specializations. We have prepared a list of the 7 best CMMIS on the market for you.
Limble CMMS
Limble CMMS is a cloud-based maintenance management software that helps businesses streamline their maintenance operations. It offers a comprehensive set of features for work orders, preventive maintenance schedules, inventory levels, labor hours, and more. Additionally, it provides robust reporting and analytics tools to help managers assess the performance of their assets and identify maintenance issues.
Limble CMMS Features
- Cost and labor tracking
- Inventory Cycle counting
- Regional and multi-location operation
- Custom role setting
- Data Localization
- TCO tracking and reporting
- Tools check-in / check-out
- Warranty tracking
- Risk and compliance management
SAP PM
SAP is undoubtedly the leading ERP system with its inbuilt CMMS module- SAP PM. It is a cloud based CMM solution for businesses seeking to improve the performance, accountability and transparency of their maintenance operations.
Its easy integration with other SAP modules makes it a first choice for large businesses. It also provides management with insights into staff efficiency and productivity as well an ROI score based on your previous investments in equipment upgrades.
SAP PM Features
- Materials Management
- Quality Management (QM)
- Project System Visibility’
- Safety standard Compliance
- Comprehensive analyzing
- On-Device Solutions
- Asset Indexing and Location tracking
- API Access
- Inventory forecasting
Cryotos
Cryotos is one of the most efficient maintenance management software in the market. It integrates all the functions related to asset, field service, facility and inventory management, helping organization to boost efficiency with maximum up time. It offers workflows automation and maintainace checklist helping to reduce manpower and increase ROI.
