For those who are not familiar with Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS) it is software that allows an organization to build a database of maintenance records. This software can contain things such as when the last time maintenance was performed on a piece of machinery to how many spare parts you may have laying around in the warehouse.
There are basically two different ways to implement a CMMS. Depending on which CMMS implementation you choose it will affect, at least initially, the benefits and cost savings your organization will enjoy as a result. One Option, the desktop or network implementation calls for your organization to purchase and maintain the servers required to run the software within your organization. The other option, a web-based CMMS approach requires your organization to pay a 3rd party to be responsible for the maintenance and troubleshooting of the servers and hardware required.. Regardless of which approach is implemented the end result will be efficiency and cost savings for your company.
One of the benefits of CMMS will be the reduction of operating costs because of the reduced maintenance that will be required when you have everything in a single database. You also reduce the long term maintenance costs because you would be minimizing breakdowns and sudden or emergency repairs. Another benefit is a reduction of hiring contractors to keep up with preventative maintenance work. With more up-time being experienced as a result of implementing CMMS system, this will translate into more time for your regular maintenance staff to perform the preventative maintenance that you might be paying outside contractors to perform.
The bottom line is that once you implement a CMMS the cost savings will just keep piling up over time. The reason this works is the domino affect. Once you are able to give attention to preventive maintenance it automatically opens up more time for the staff to perform other tasks. You are actually costing your company more money by NOT implementing a CMMS solution into your organization. If you were to sit down and run the numbers you really can’t afford to not implement a CMMS into your organization. Whether you have 5 employees or 500 employees there is a CMMS solution that is right for you.
Stuart Smith writes about Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS) Solutions for Mintek Mobile Data Solutions. Learn more about EAM/CMMS features that can help your business navigate through tough economic times.
