Facts and Myths about CMMS Systems

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Nov. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- EAM/CMMS systems streamline maintenance management processes and increase your organization’s overall productivity. Below are some facts and myths about EAM and CMMS software.

Facts

Fact #1 – EAM/CMMS software is an important part of any reliability program

A properly configured and implemented CMMS system is the foundation of any successful maintenance and reliability program. EAM/CMMS systems capture key data and turn it into reliable information that allows you to make cost-effective decisions regarding asset management and maintenance.

Fact #2 – CMMS systems store and organize valuable data about assets

Those who treat their CMMS systems as little more than electronic work order systems are missing out on the true benefits of the software. EAM/CMMS software captures valuable data about assets, such as asset failure history and labor and cost data associated with particular types of equipment. The data that EAM systems provide impact key decisions regarding the operation and maintenance of a facility or plant.

Fact #3 – EAM software saves your organization money

EAM systems typically help organizations save 15-30% of their maintenance budgets by lowering labor costs, reducing equipment downtime, and empowering technicians to properly maintain assets so that they perform more efficiently. Factories and facilities cannot operate with a broken down machine, so maintenance performed in response to breakdowns, also known as reactive maintenance, tends to be urgent in nature. EAM/CMMS software helps organizations adopt a proactive approach to maintenance and eliminate reactive maintenance, which is one of the most expensive types of maintenance.

Myths

Myth #1 - CMMS software is one-size-fits-all

A common misperception about CMMS systems is that the software is one-size-fits-all and any generic solution can easily be transferred from one company or one industry to another. This myth is often the reason why CMMS implementation projects don’t receive enough attention. Maintenance management should be as simple as possible, but no simpler. If the implementation of a CMMS is oversimplified, an organization could fail to achieve the desired results.

Myth #2 - New EAM Software will improve maintenance performance

Many organizations implement new EAM/CMMS software in hopes that it will solve their maintenance problems and improve maintenance performance. While it’s true that CMMS software can be very helpful, it is only a tool. Buying CMMS software won’t automatically make your maintenance department operate more efficiently or at a lower cost. You have to use the data that EAM/CMMS software provides to figure out how to complete maintenance tasks more efficiently and effectively.

Myth #3 – CMMS systems are only for generating preventive maintenance work orders

Some organizations only use their CMMS systems to print out preventive maintenance work orders on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. While generating preventive maintenance work orders is one of the functions of a CMMS system, it is just a small part of what EAM/CMMS software can do. It’s also important to consider how preventive maintenance tasks are developed in the first place and enter data into the system after the tasks are completed. Over time, this data can help you determine whether the preventive maintenance tasks performed are actually making the equipment or components last longer. The data collected can also reveal ways to make preventive maintenance activities more effective in the future.

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