Why You Don’t Want Free Maintenance Software
You know it’s time for a change. And free software from the Internet seems like an easy way to test things out. Many maintenance managers start their search for CMMS software by typing “free maintenance software” in a Google search box. But free maintenance software has hidden costs that can mean paying a higher price. Why Don’t I Want Free Maintenance Software? Trying pared-down software with limited functionality wastes time and energy—two things typically in short supply for maintenance managers. It’s hard to get a realistic perspective on the true capabilities of maintenance software with free maintenance software. As any maintenance manager knows, there’s a difference between cost and value. “Free” sounds like a great deal, until you consider… Limited tools and functionality Absence of security features to protect data Restricted user access Lack of scalability No training or support Inability to sync with other business systems You can’t get a full picture of what maintenance software can do for your organization if you’re limited to whatever is offered for free. So, after all that effort, you’re missing out on finding the right maintenance software for you. But I Just Want to Try It Out We get it. But there’s a better way—free software demos. When you test drive a car, you don’t just randomly take any car you found on the Internet out on the road. You don’t want to waste time test driving minivans when you really need a 4-wheel drive with a 6.0L, 8-cylinder engine. Your time is valuable, and it’s important that you spend it wisely. When you do your research on CMMS software, you’ll soon see the benefits of scalable CMMS software with an easy-to-use interface and advanced tools. And a little time spent finding the right software means you’re saving a lot of time (and money) in the future. That’s why MPulse offers free demos and great customer service to make sure your software purchase means your needs. So, you’re on the right path from the very beginning. [related-content] We know how to make your CMMS implementation a success—and we’re happy to share our experience with you. Contact us to learn more.
Nine Ways CMMS Cuts Operational Costs
The maintenance department doesn’t always get credit for how they save money. But the powerful combination of CMMS software and your maintenance team can cut operational costs, making your organization more efficient and productive. How CMMS Cuts Operational Costs Here are nine ways CMMS cuts operational costs. Preventive Maintenance CMMS software generates a schedule of preventive maintenance (PM) tasks. Therefore, it’s simpler to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Properly maintained assets perform more efficiently, use less energy, and fail less often—thereby, extending their usable life. When you use CMMS software to schedule and track PMs, you’ll reduce emergency maintenance issues and unexpected production stoppages. This also cuts overtime costs for emergency repairs and reduces production losses. You can also schedule maintenance for off hours by tracking equipment use time. Labor Management Work order management features in CMMS software can automate schedules for both employees and contract workers. Therefore, you get the highest priority work done, while making sure lower priority work doesn’t slip through the cracks. This information also eliminates lost information between shifts, reducing confusion and errors. CMMS software helps you accurately estimate labor hours for PM tasks, making sure your staffing levels match the workload, and decreasing overtime costs. This type of labor cost analysis also can determine when it’s more efficient to add more staff members instead of paying your current employees more overtime. Employee performance tracking helps you determine which employees are most efficient at which tasks, enabling managers to balance the workload. By tracking repair times, you can create benchmarks for your organization as well. Inventory & Parts Management CMMS software’s ability to manage your parts inventory prevents under-stocking and over-stocking and streamlines reordering. CMMS software can determine your current inventory levels and automatically generate purchase orders based on need, reducing purchasing overhead. You can take your inventory management to the next level and track parts to stock based on availability. For example, if a part has a three-week lead time, you can adjust stocking levels to make sure it is available when your staff needs it. Operations CMMS data helps organizations make effective replace-or-repair decisions. Maintenance software can track not only the age of the equipment, but the miles, hours, life-to-date repair dollars, and many other metrics. Therefore, it’s easier to when it becomes cheaper to replace an asset instead of repairing it. In manufacturing industries, CMMS software helps reduce scrap and rework by keeping equipment operating efficiently. That helps reduce emergency production breakdowns, and avoid catastrophic material losses. [related-content] Learn More Contact us to learn more about how CMMS software can cut operational costs for your organization.
Preventive Maintenance vs. Predictive Maintenance: What’s the Difference?
When maintenance teams adopt proactive approaches to maintenance, two of the most common are preventive maintenance and predictive maintenance. But, what’s the difference? What is Preventive Maintenance? Preventive maintenance is triggered by time, meter, or event. This type of maintenance is based on average or expected life statistics (usually determined by the equipment manufacturer or vendor). The most common example is changing the oil in a car every X,000 miles or every X months. Preventive maintenance is one of the first steps to reduce run-to-failure maintenance in favor of a more proactive maintenance plan. Additionally, CMMS excels at helping maintenance shops schedule preventive maintenance tasks, preventing failure and prolonging asset life cycles. What is Predictive Maintenance? Predictive maintenance means different things to different people. Usually, maintenance professionals define it as gathering data on the actual condition of equipment to determine when maintenance is needed—sometimes called condition-based maintenance (CBM). CBM allows you to track meters and gauges on assets, and to trigger work orders at specific points. You can gather the data manually or automatically, and your CMMS software stores the data and alerts maintenance staff to take action. For example, condition-monitoring tools and CMMS software can analyze how the asset is working—maybe by measuring operating temperature or oil viscosity, etc. This data helps spot signs of potential problems. Then CMMS software sends alerts before breakdowns occur. CBM monitors an asset’s real-time condition. So, there’s a predictive element to it. But more advanced predictive maintenance analyzes how long an asset will last using one or many types of measurement. A classic example is electrical transmission grids. Engineers analyze detailed information about equipment failure rates, so they can program software to predict when similar assets will fail in the future. Long-Term Goals The long-term goal of predictive maintenance prevents both reactive maintenance and unplanned breakdowns, while at the same time reducing the costs of unnecessary preventive maintenance. MPulse CMMS software can capture, store, and organize data for reports and predictive analytical tools. Predictive maintenance is gaining more attention as organizations want sensors on key assets and use the power of the Internet of Things (IoT) to collect the data to feed into their CMMS software. CMMS combined with IoT is an excellent way to help maintenance teams to foresee asset failure and proactively perform maintenance. Have questions? We have answers. Contact us to see how we can help you improve your maintenance operations.
Improve Maintenance Management Program Efficiency
How do you make your maintenance management program more efficient? Maintenance professionals know that CMMS software is a tool. And while a successful maintenance management requires great software, you also need to well-trained people who know how to use it right—just like any other tool. Implementation services when you implement new software or upgrade are the best way to get off and running quickly. But what if you want to improve efficiency out of an already successful maintenance operation? Make Your Maintenance Management More Efficient It’s always important to start at the beginning. So, the first step should be a needs assessment of your current state. (Read our series on conducting a Needs Assessment.) Then, compare what’s happening now to what you want in the future. That tells you where you want your maintenance department to go. A good place to start is think about the information you don’t have, or you don’t have easily accessible. A few examples from MPulse customers… What are we spending on Asset X? How much time are my techs are spending on specific jobs? Does my team need to have faster access to information? How can I reduce our excess inventory? How long has Equipment Y been out of service during a given time period? Finally, determine what tools you need to go from where you are to where you want to be. By tools, we mean anything your team needs to do their jobs, which may include… Tools and equipment Informational resources Software Training You Don’t Have to Do It Alone If you’re feeling overwhelmed at this point, remember, you don’t have to do it alone. We developed the MPulse Assess, Adjust, and Implement (AAI) program to help you make your maintenance management program more efficient. It includes onsite implementation and training services, giving you hands-on support from our MPulse experts. AAI is for MPulse customers who want to get more out of their implementation. It’s an ideal option for “rebooting” a waning program or finding ways to squeeze more efficiency out of an already successful one. MPulse customers have found the following benefits with AAI… Improved results Optimized processes Renewed focus on maintenance management discipline Identifying new ways to use the full range of MPulse’s robust feature set Expand use of MPulse throughout the enterprise Make your maintenance management program more efficient with implementation and training services to get you where you want to go. Contact us today. We’re here to help.
Why You Need CMMS Maintenance and Support
If you’ve ever worked with outdated software, then you know the feeling of dread when there’s a glitch. Without access to technical and usability support, you end up paying for updates and services as you go. It’s inefficient—and also expensive. CMMS software needs its own preventive maintenance to keep it functioning properly—just like any asset. Service updates, software maintenance, and support programs are far more cost efficient when they’re part of a CMMS maintenance and support program. CMMS Maintenance and Support So, not all software support is equal. Here at MPulse, we want to keep the customers whose business we’ve worked so hard to earn. That’s why we’ll be here for you tomorrow, just like we are today. A subscription to the MPulse Maintenance and Support Program (MSP) partners you with our professional support team. Additionally, it gives you the latest tools, free training, and software updates to keep your software optimized, and your organization on track to reach its CMMS goals. The MPulse MSP is an annual subscription service that provides continued support, training, and updates. As a program subscriber, you’ll have access to a host of important features… In-house MPulse employees provide technical and training support via toll free phone number and email Exclusive access to new software versions as they’re released Hosting provided via our Application Hosting Service Online training through the MPulse Support Portal, including educational videos and informative articles One seat per year at the MPulse Training Center at our corporate office in Eugene, Oregon Better pricing on major software upgrades and modification options Exclusive invitations to monthly webinars on MPulse usage and maintenance best practices Special sale offers for MPulse products and services Advance email notification of new product introductions Timely, automated software updates Free assistance with software installation Software Preventive Maintenance The MPulse MSP offers extensive advantages over a fee-per-service model… Peace of mind—our goal is your success with our product Considerable cost savings Instant access to industry expertise Knowledge of current maintenance software developments Trained and prepared users Product flexibility Maintenance professionals get the call when things go wrong. So, they know the importance of getting the right person on the phone at the right time. [related-content] Take advantage of our expertise. We provide reliable, first-class support for your MPulse implementation, and the updates to keep it running at peak performance. With the MPulse MSP, you’re not just a customer—you’re our partner in CMMS success.
Five Signs your CMMS Program Needs a Reboot
Busy maintenance managers have a lot of their plate—and reviewing CMMS workflows usually isn’t at the top. But without taking a closer look, your team may be spending more time and wasting more money than you realize. Is It Time for a CMMS Reboot? You know it’s time for a CMMS reboot when you see one or more of these signs. Your team is doing too much data entry, or data reentry.Improved integration with external data sources means CMMS software can collect data from building automation systems as well as from meters, PLCs, and gauges on the factory floor. In fact, a modern CMMS, properly integrated, can use data from virtually any source to feed its alerts, alarms, and reports. You team is spending more time working around the software than working with the software.Maintenance techs usually excel at finding ways to work around problems—it’s a skill that comes in handy when making repairs. But it’s not good when they’re working around problems with your CMMS software Your CMMS software doesn’t collect the right data.Today’s maintenance managers are getting requests from senior managers, CFOs, COOs, and even CEOs who want detailed, accurate information from the maintenance department on what’s impacting productivity, profitability, and corporate progress. CMMS is the best tool you have for gathering, analyzing, and reporting data about your equipment and your team. You need reports that your software can’t provide.Your CMMS should be set up to answer the questions that matter to you—and to your boss. Those reports help you make decisions based on hard evidence, instead of perceptions or assumptions. Best of all, the cumulative nature of CMMS data means you can ask different questions in the future—ones you might not even think about today. Your maintenance team doesn’t have easy access to your software.Back in the day, it was common to limit software access to a few people. Today cloud computing helps organizations get applications up and running faster (often immediately) while reducing onsite implementation and management costs. It also virtually eliminates the need for highly skilled, expensive internal IT teams. [related-content] It’s time for CMMS reboot when your current system isn’t meeting your needs. A little time and energy spent now means your maintenance team can focus on what is really important—getting the job done. Contact us to learn more.
How A Strong CMMS Implementation Plan Boosts Your ROI
CMMS software is an investment. So, like any investment, you want to see a return on that money. The bean counters call this “return on investment” (ROI), which measures the gain or loss generated on an investment relative to the amount of money invested. Boosting your ROI takes more than great CMMS software, however. You need well-trained people who know how to use it, and you also need a solution set up right to work with your company’s assets and business processes. A strong CMMS implementation plan boosts your ROI with improvements in… Labor costs Parts and inventory management Equipment downtime and emergency repairs Equipment life cycle and replacement forecasting Manufacturing scrap and rework A Strong CMMS Implementation Plan An CMMS implementation plan has five steps: Planning Data migration Installation Training “Go-live” Start your CMMS implementation plan in a single department that stands to benefit the most in the short term. Then, follow with a company-wide roll-out. When others witness the initial success of the first department, bringing everyone on board will be much easier. [related-content] Expert Advice While you can develop your own CMMS implementation plan, sometimes it’s more cost-effective to hire the experts. After all, you don’t send your plumbing expert to fix and electrical issue. MPulse offers several onsite implementation services: Custom Launch Plan: We send an experienced senior MPulse trainer to your location for 4 days of intensive instruction. Typical curriculum is designed to cover what’s necessary to get your users up and running with MPulse. Assured Implementation Program (AIP): A software implementation program designed to take you from software purchase through successful implementation, without missing any critical steps along the way. Our most comprehensive program, AIP gets you through planning, data migration, installation, training, and “go-live” day. Assess, Adjust, and Implement Program (AAI): AAI is designed for existing MPulse customers who want to improve their maintenance program. It begins with a comprehensive assessment of your current state and concludes with training and services to assist you in implementing improvements. Whether you’ve got an experienced team spread across numerous locations or a small maintenance operation with a few employees, MPulse has a program for you. Contact us to learn more.
Create a Realistic Budget for Your CMMS
To create a realistic budget for CMMS software, you need to consider more than just the price of the software itself. Typically, you’ll pay for the base software and then the number of user licenses you need. However, to ensure CMMS success, also consider five other costs… Startup training Integration services Data migration from legacy systems Hosting Maintenance/support agreements To create a realistic budget, next consider the right pricing model for your organization. Choose a Pricing Model Any CMMS budget should also include one of two ways to purchase CMMS software—Software as a Service (SaaS) or licensed purchase. SaaS If you choose subscription pricing via SaaS, you’re renting the software for a monthly or yearly fee. SaaS is a common option today—but it may not be the best one for you. Advantages of SaaS Easier on cash flow up front and over the first 2-3 years May be able to purchase it without a formal procurement process (i.e., you’re just signing up for a service) You can try the product and the vendor without fully committing Disadvantages of SaaS Higher total cost over the long term Vulnerability to price increases You never own the software Stop paying and you lose access Licensed Purchase The other option is a licensed purchase, where you purchase a license to use the software (in practical terms, forever) for a one-time fee. Typically, you will also have the option of purchasing or renewing a yearly maintenance agreement that includes software updates, tech support, hosting services, and access to training. It’s usually charged as a percentage of the software’s original price. Advantages of Licensed Purchase Less expensive over the long run than the never-ending subscription. Usually it’s a 2-3 year break even vs. SaaS pricing. You own it. If your company’s budget gets tight one year and you don’t get your yearly allotment, you will still be able to use your software because you own the software license. Disadvantage of Licensed Purchase Higher upfront cost If you’re leaning toward SaaS model, ask vendors if you can switch to a license purchase model if your situation changes. Also, make sure the method you choose works with your plans to host the application. Price-Range Estimates Once you’ve chosen the right pricing model for you, start by asking sales reps to provide price-range estimates that include training, integration, data migration, hosting, and maintenance/support. The more specific you are about your needs, the more accurate those estimates will be. [related-content] These price range estimates will tell you if their product is a good fit. Then you can move forward with the companies who sell software in your budget range. You can ask a sales rep to refine the pricing as you get more specific about your needs. Last, but not least, calculate the five-year total cost of ownership of all these things to get an accurate comparison between vendors. Have questions? Need help? Contact us. We’re here for you.
CMMS Training: How to Find the Right Fit
Finding the right training for your maintenance team is like finding the right CMMS software. You need options that fit your needs. MPulse offers various training options for exactly that reason—our customers need different types of training (or, sometimes, different combinations of training). CMMS Training Questions to Consider Here are five things to consider to find training that the right fit for you. Who: The first thing to consider is who needs to be trained. It’s not uncommon for organizations to choose different training based on who is doing what. For example, one MPulse customer sent a smaller team of lead workers to our classroom training, and those people returned to train other employees back at the plant. Where: Training can take place onsite, in a classroom, or online. Each one has its own advantages. Hands-on training from a trainer who travels to your site is great for getting answers to specific questions and scenarios. However, classroom training means your team isn’t distracted by other things. Online training, either live or recorded, offers a lot of flexibility and works well for self-directed employees. What: Different users will need to learn different things about your new CMMS software. Management will need more information about reporting functions, whereas technicians need to focus on work orders and parts information. Some may need a quick refresher, whereas others need more direction. When: You want to get your CMMS software up and running quickly, so consider your schedule when choosing the training options for you. You can schedule online training immediately or very quickly. However, you’ll need to make travel arrangements for onsite and sometimes classroom training. How much: Part of your initial research and your CMMS quotes should include training options at a variety of costs. But it’s more than a number—onsite training might be more expensive at first, but the rate of return will increase when you get people on board quickly. Online training, on the other hand, is cost effective for multiple people in different locations with different schedules. Investing in CMMS software without training your people to use it is penny-wise and pound-foolish. CMMS training directly impacts your CMMS success—and your bottom line. It’s the real secret to CMMS success. Think you can’t afford training? Contact us to find out how affordable it can be.
When Is It Time to Call in the Experts?
Expert consulting services can jumpstart software implementation or reconfigure current workflows. Maintenance professionals know you don’t send a plumber to deal with an electrical issue. It’s the same when it comes to CMMS software. It’s also far more cost effective to get an expert to do it right the first time. Expert Consulting Services A successful maintenance management program requires a solution set up right to work with your company’s assets and business processes. So, MPulse expert consulting services can help. Dedicated Account Manager Your MPulse Dedicated Account Manager is your personal MPulse consultant. The combination of your Dedicated Account Manager’s detailed knowledge about your organization and MPulse expertise ensures the ongoing success of your CMMS software implementation. So, you are always working with someone who understands your organization and has the knowledge to implement our software to meet your needs. MPulse Reset Expert Consulting Services Our MPulse Reset service helps you reconfigure your workflows and benchmarks, and then determine where adjustments to your software can help. It’s great for existing MPulse customers who’ve already worked through any of our other MPulse Software training and implementation services. MPulse Assess, Adjust, and Implement (AAI) Program The MPulse Assess, Adjust, and Implement (AAI) program begins with a comprehensive assessment of your current state and then concludes with training and services to assist you in implementing improvements. AAI is for MPulse customers who want to get more out of their implementation. It’s also an ideal option for “rebooting” a waning program or finding ways to squeeze more efficiency out of an already successful one. Expert CMMS Implementation Services If you’re just getting started with CMMS software, then MPulse has a wide range of expert implementation services to help. Assured Implementation Program The MPulse Assured Implementation Program (AIP) takes you from software purchase through successful implementation, without missing any critical steps along the way. Our most comprehensive program, AIP gets you through planning, data migration, installation, training, and “go-live” day. Multi-site Implementation Program This program also standardizes your workflow processes and reporting across locations. The MPulse Multi-site Implementation Program (MSIP) will take you from software purchase through successful implementation across two or more site locations, without missing any critical steps along the way. Data Migration Our data migration services will help you transfer your data safely and cost effectively, as well as reduce business disruption. Our data specialists perform data migration efficiently with minimal impact on your business operations. [related-content] Call in the experts! It keeps your maintenance staff doing what they do best—maintaining your critical assets to keep things running smoothly.