CMMS stands for computerized maintenance management system. It is a software package that helps to maintain and creation of a computer database for the maintenance operations in an organisation. It facilitates automation and increase the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the maintenance workers and task.
CMMS Software has the wide range of capabilities but it comes with a price for every added feature. Typically, it addresses following-
inventory management – which goods are coming in and out, current inventory, stocks stored category –wise, buying and tracking inventories.
Work orders and classifications– scheduling work, tracking equipment life, assigning personnel, problems, cause-and-effect, metre readings, preventive maintenance etc. are managed by CMMS.
Asset management-specifications of equipment, buying dates, life anticipation, spare parts requirement, third-party service contracts, updates and warranty information are looked up by this software.
Safety– Risk-based maintenanceabout recording the data on safety permits and documenting the same.
CMMS is also known as computerised maintenance management information system (CMMIS) and Enterprise Asset Management. It is similar to the packages like facility management software.
It can be linked to other software also throughout the organisation for example-logistical software, cost analysis, scheduled equipment maintenance etc.
CMMS COMMON CHALLENGES
it was never easy for any businesses to add any new system in the organisation, so is the case with CMMS. Common challenges are as follows-
IMPLEMENTATION AND INTEGRATION
CMMS is complex and multifaceted. Different vendors offer different features or modules to solve a huge variety of maintenance issues and integration is also very critical for a CMMS software to unleash its maximum potential. Linking and integrating all the departments in the organisation through CMMS requires efforts.
LACK OF TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
it is one of the common reason that why implementation becomes a failure due to lack of technical skills and staff. Without having proper knowledge one cannot understand the coding-decoding of the software. Here either company has to conduct training programs through CMMS vendors or higher those users who have the ability or have experience in the software.
COMMUNICATION GAP
One Department cannot make the business profitable or long-lasting. It is the efforts of all the departments. Problem arises when there is miscommunication in any of the departments may be IT, finance, operations, all maintenance staff etc. because CMMS works upon data integration by understanding the activities of the departments and making output based on it.
SCALABILITY
not every CMMS software tools can be used to work in a generalised environment. There are different features of this software specifically designed or built for certain purposes/situations.
It’s difficult enough for managers to keep a record of all the assets in the single facility, even in a mid-sized business that have multiple warehouse facilities can become confusing very quickly. Different locations demand different needs, here being a scalable software will not help should be adaptable.
Issues such as a set history tracking, including maintenance and other repairs, problem of copying information from one place to another, simplicity.
As CMMS comes up with different prices, it doesn’t mean higher the price better the software. Here organisations have to closely look and understand the size, operations and maintenance functions and then decide how scale of operations can be improved and by doing so, one can update CMMS software regarding which tools can be used in which facilities to simplify the overall processes.
Selection of appropriate vendor is also a great task. Organisations must take into consideration the credibility of the vendors. This can be done by asking them to give live demos into workplace and checking their overall customer support network in case of any problem.
Besides all the challenges, it is a great software, which will give a great positive impact on easing of services related to maintenance tasks.
