Should You Expand MPulse To Other Departments?
While MPulse CMMS software holds clear advantages for the maintenance team, other departments can benefit as well. And, expanding software across departments is probably easier than you think. Until recently, getting all your applications to share data required teams of highly skilled technical consultants and weeks or months of work—sometimes with questionable results. New data integration tools make integrating software across departments possible for a CMMS to share and receive data with other applications. Now you can easily link MPulse with other systems, such as ERP and accounting software, predictive maintenance monitors, building automation systems, and more. How Can I Expand MPulse CMMS Software to Other Departments? MPulse DataLink Integration Adapter can meet virtually any data integration need, because it’s compatible with a wide array of file and data exchange formats. For example, you might want to integrate MPulse with spreadsheets, other databases, ERP systems, accounting systems, PLCs, electronic meters, and more. Our DataLink Integration Adapter enables your MPulse administrator or local IT team to quickly and easily move data in and out of MPulse using a familiar, intuitive interface. MPulse CMMS software can easily exchange data with any Excel, .txt, .csv, SQL Server, or XML Web Services data store. You can map and schedule data transfers and from numerous data sources outside the application. You can integrate MPulse with other software in four different ways… Import data to MPulse from files, databases, or other applications Export data from MPulse to other applications, files, or databases Schedule imports and exports based on times or file changes Save unlimited “mapping profiles” to your data sources and targets The Growing Importance of Data Integration Between Departments The maintenance department is in the unique position of interacting with most, if not all, other departments. So, tight integration between MPulse CMMS software and other business-critical applications and data stores will do more than reduce hassle. You’ll also enjoy these benefits… Fewer errors due to manual data entry Reduced data input redundancy Faster response times to maintenance problems Near real-time monitoring of critical data The ability to grow with your company’s changing technologies Additionally, technological advances continue to make more and more detailed, relevant data available. And with that increased capability comes increased opportunity to improve organizational performance at all levels, and in all departments—including the maintenance team. Collaborative Project Management Importance Building collaboration helps your employees communicate and work together on projects across functional and departmental lines. Expanding software across departments enables your entire organization to benefit from the ability to collaborate. As a result, all departments can benefit from easy access to data to make decisions, also called data-driven management. Large businesses have been using data-driven management for decades, but now it’s easy for smaller organizations to jump on the data train with software integration tools. Whether your organization is small or large, MPulse CMMS software can help you integrate software across departments without expensive IT consultants or programming experience. Read how this MPulse customer is using our Datalink tool to link MPulse with their financial software: “It just works.” Have questions? We have answers. Contact us.
The Future of Maintenance Management: Maintenance Software in the Cloud
Cloud computing technology has revolutionized the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software industry by helping organizations of all sizes achieve faster implementations, reduce internal IT needs, and improve reliability. Cloud based maintenance system computing also provides a broader range of payment options. Now it’s easier than ever for companies to afford CMMS software for their maintenance teams. What Is Cloud Based Maintenance Management? Cloud computing applications—“on-demand” software hosted on Internet-accessible servers—have a long history with roots back in the 1950s, when enormous mainframe computer systems housed in large server rooms were accessible via simple terminals. In the 1990s, though, commercialization of the Internet made the concept feasible on a global level. Today, the higher speeds and bandwidth capacity of the modern Internet have opened the door to cloud computing technology for businesses. It started out with simple web-based email solutions (like Yahoo! Mail or Google’s Gmail), and now the technology has evolved into full-service software solutions accessible from any device with an Internet connection. Cloud-based CMMS software is changing the maintenance management profession at all levels. Its impact is particularly significant, though, for small organizations better able to compete thanks to affordable, enterprise-level applications. Cloud Based Management Software Benefits So what can cloud-based maintenance management software do for your maintenance operation? Many maintenance professionals are discovering these major advantages: Reduced IT spending: Because cloud-based CMMS applications are located elsewhere, maintenance operations no longer need to enlist expensive (and often unavailable) IT support to set up and maintain technology infrastructure. Lower hardware costs: Because a cloud-based maintenance software runs on external servers, many organizations have discovered they spend less on heavy-duty hardware in the office, particularly on PCs and internal servers. Subscription-based pricing: Also called Software as a Service (SaaS), software subscription payment plans allow organizations to streamline budgets by eliminating heavy upfront investment and spreading costs over time. Mobilization: Mobile technology is a natural fit for the maintenance industry, and cloud-based CMMS means maintainers can access data anytime and anywhere with Internet-enabled devices, like laptops, smartphones, or tablets. Lower training costs: Improved web-based and app-based user interfaces that mimic popular personal-use applications can minimize the learning curve on hardware and software. Easy scalability: Adding a new user? Expanding your reporting capabilities? Cloud-based CMMS software makes these changes easy, so you can keep up in a fast-changing environment. Data security: No more worrying about hard drive failures or data-loss catastrophes. With a cloud-based maintenance system, your data is backed up and secured in a professionally managed environment. Cloud based maintenance software helps maintenance operations get applications up and running faster while reducing onsite implementation and management costs. By virtually eliminating the need for highly trained, expensive internal IT teams, the biggest skill barrier to implementing CMMS is removed. Your maintenance team will save time and money getting your CMMS system working—and you’ll be able to get on to the real work of maintaining and repairing critical assets Have questions? We have answers. Contact us.
How to Improve Maintenance Strategies for Maintenance Management
Years ago, when I was starting out in this business, I worked with a smart, crusty old guy named Frank. Frank said what he meant, and he meant what he said. I’m not sure why, but Frank liked me. I took it as a compliment because he didn’t like a lot of people. We’d eat lunch together in the breakroom, where I’d share my frustrations, and he’d gruffly offer advice—including this ditty: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” For years I’ve shared that quote (which Frank borrowed from Arthur Ashe) with maintenance managers who are researching or implementing or upgrading CMMS software. Today, CMMS software makes it easier to get started—but you still need to start. In honor of Frank, I’ve made a list of 10 things you can do to improve your maintenance strategy, wherever you are in the process. Some you may have already done. Some you might do later. Pick one or two, and take Frank’s advice—do what you can. Try a Free Demo CMMS Maintenance Tip #1. Document Maintenance Activities Recording maintenance tasks, activities, repairs, and information in CMMS software is the first step when you are just starting out. You can’t measure anything until you have something to measure. CMMS Maintenance Tip #2. Plan Ahead Preventive maintenance tasks are a good start, but planning ahead also applies to everything from scheduling to staffing to purchasing to asset disposal. A goal without a plan is just wishful thinking. CMMS Maintenance Tip #3. Make Resources Easily Accessible Don’t waste time looking for stuff. To improve your maintenance strategy, keep the things your team needs (historical records, part information, vendor contact details, manuals, etc.) in easy-to-find places, like your CMMS database. CMMS Maintenance Tip #4. Automate Put your available tools to work for you. Use your CMMS software to automate the tedious stuff (data entry, email, request approval), so you can focus on more important things. CMMS Maintenance Tip #5. Link Parts Inventory is hard, but the first step is simple. Link parts with your work orders (and your assets), and you are on your way to big goals like controlling the cost of maintenance. CMMS Maintenance Tip #6. Show Your Progress Take a moment to remember how far you’ve come. Then share your story. If you don’t sell your program, no one else will. CMMS Maintenance Tip #7. Get Feedback Every time I’ve requested feedback, someone has said something that made me see things a little differently. Ask. CMMS Maintenance Tip #8. Adjust Maintenance is fluid. As your goals change, your team changes, and your organization changes, adjust your maintenance strategy to fit. CMMS Maintenance Tip #9. Train Your Staff Training is the fastest way to improve your maintenance team’s efficiency and get the best return on investment (ROI). And don’t forget about training yourself as well. The payoff is far greater than the cost. CMMS Maintenance Tip #10. Take Stock Look at the information you have now. You’ll likely find nuggets that will help you ask different questions and get to bigger goals. Today’s competitive business environment has increased the pressure on maintenance teams. Yet Frank’s advice is as relevant now as it was then. Just start. What would you add to my list? Leave a comment or contact us. Request a Free Demo!
Six Advantages of Role-Based Access Control
All organizations have sensitive information. Therefore, the information your employees see should depend on their role in the organization. This is where Role Based Action Control comes in. What is Role Based Action Control? Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a data filtering utility that puts record-level access control in your hands. With RBAC, you can easily adjust settings in your MPulse implementation so the right people—and only the right people—have the right access to the right records. Six Benefits of Role-Based Access Control Systems Role-Based Access Control puts record-level control in your hands. As a result, your personnel will only see the records relevant to their unique workloads. With RBAC, you can experience these six advantages… Reduce errors in data entry Prevent unauthorized users from viewing or editing data Gain tighter control over data access Eliminate the “data clutter” of unnecessary information Comply with legal or ethical requirements Keep your teams running smoothly Role-Based Access Control: Why You Need It Removing information “clutter” can significantly streamline data access for your teams. That means your employees can access the details they need faster—helping them work more effectively. Role Based Access Control Example MPulse customer FORTRUST uses MPulse RBAC so its data center maintenance personnel see only the records relevant to their unique workloads. As facility maintenance professionals, their employees have very specific job duties. With Role-Based Access Control, however, their plumbers only see plumbing work orders. Their electricians only see electrical work orders. Another customer with multiple facilities set up their RBAC based on location. So the maintenance team at their Phoenix facility only sees work orders for that site, while the Denver team only sees the work orders for their location. Why Role-Based Access Control Is Good For Business With MPulse RBAC you can be sure your employees get access to what they need—and only what they need. RBAC best practices also help you easily adjust settings to… Filter data according to departments, work order types, locations, or other fields. Assign roles so people see only their operating unit’s information. Choose which data are global, and which are unique to a group. Define an unlimited number of custom filters. Automatically link data to a user’s area of expertise. Increase productivity because employees can access what they need—and only what they need. As a result, RBAC gives your organization centralized control and enhanced security. And that’s very good for business. Learn more about how Role-Based Access Control can help your organization. Contact us. [related-content]
7 Time Management Maxims for Maintenance Managers
I wish I had a dollar for everyone I’ve talked to about implementing a CMMS program who said they didn’t have time to implement it. I’ve heard it so often, in fact, I sometimes wonder if I should be in the “Round Tuit” business instead. If you’re too busy to make critical improvements to your maintenance operations, you will pay the price. There’s no escaping it. Every once in a while, you have to take stock, invest time and money in improvements, and move forward. Invest a little time today to consider whether your maintenance tools and processes are ready for an upgrade. It matters how you manage a maintenance team by utilizing your time. Struggling as a maintenance manager to get a handle on everything you have to get done lately? Consider these 7 Time Management Maxims from the Maintenance Maven. 7 Time Management Maxims for Maintenance Managers We all have the same amount of time to work with each week. Ever wonder how that guy always seems to find the opportunity to hit the golf course or go fishing with his kids? He doesn’t have more time than you, he’s just using it differently. If you don’t have the time for important tasks, it’s probably your own fault. Guard your 24 hours like the crown jewels. Don’t let anyone else have control of your calendar. Lend it or spend it with your boss and family of course, but don’t give up control. Your time is one of your most important assets. Plan it out, allocate it, measure it, and, above all else, protect it. Time maintenance skills are vital in managing your maintenance staff. Money won’t buy you time. I’ve seen countless people buy a CMMS software in the vague hope that it will magically buy them more time—then fail to implement it and blame the system. The money you spend on time-saving technologies will be completely wasted if you don’t make the necessary up-front time investment to implement them. You can’t borrow time from the future. Procrastination is the surest path to work overload. It’s like borrowing money to get out of debt. It just doesn’t work. Learn the basic time-management maintenance skills. You CAN recoup time from the past. Have you ever told yourself after finishing a job, “I could do that in half the time next time”? Those bygone hours are lost, forever. The good news, though, is you can get them back by passing what you’ve learned forward. Take the extra few minutes necessary to clearly document your “lessons learned” in your CMMS. The next time you or someone else repeats the job, they’ll do it more quickly and efficiently. Time makes a great “yardstick.” Because units of time are understood and valued (with some variance) across cultures and up and down the organizational ladder they generally help build consensus around the value of activities and projects. Time forecasts and expenditures are key inputs to measures of productivity, quality, dependability, and efficiency. Beware the subjective nature of time. Never rely on your “gut” to measure time when it comes to maintenance operations. “It feels like it’s been a while since we lubed those bearings,” is a sure road to equipment failure.
Root Cause Analysis Prevents Problems Before They Occur
A reactive maintenance strategy simply means when something breaks, you fix it. Many maintenance departments still use reactive maintenance today. However, maintenance managers know the difference between fixing something and understanding why it broke. Organizations use root cause analysis as a tool to solve, and eventually prevent, underlying issues rather than putting out fires when something breaks. Maintenance personnel use these same principles in their work too, although sometimes more instinctively. Let’s talk about how root cause analysis can streamline your business and help improve your maintenance strategy. Root Cause Analysis Explained Root cause analysis refers to the process of discovering the root causes of problems in order to identify appropriate solutions. This concept likely sounds very familiar to maintenance professionals because of the nature of maintenance work. For example, experienced maintenance techs can repair an asset and also understand the reason it broke in the first place. That firsthand knowledge gained from experience is the basis of root cause analysis in plant maintenance. It’s just a more formal process. How to Perform a Root Cause Analysis Root cause analysis in plant maintenance can show where a failure occurred and why. That requires… Identifying the root cause of the failure Understanding how to fix the problem Applying this knowledge to prevent future failures This type of primary source analysis fits naturally in the maintenance department. Let’s take a simple, yet common issue—changing the fluid or oil in a piece of equipment. You can apply root cause analysis in this situation with this five-step process. Identify the problem. An asset failed. During a principal trigger inspection, you determine the viscosity of a lubricating oil or fluid has degraded. This degradation caused a part to overheat and fail, the equipment became unusable, and production stopped. Collect data. Next, you collect data on the failure. In our simple example, you note that the fluid was not replaced in a timely manner. Using CMMS software, you know exactly what occurred and when—or what didn’t occur and should have. Confirm the cause of the failure. After collecting the data, you confirm the cause of the failure. In this case, you recognize the symptoms of overheating due to a lack of lubrication, and then verify the cause. Identify the solution. It’s possible there’s more than one solution, or a solution requires multiple steps. Additionally, you may have to prioritize solutions. In this case, you decide establishing or adjusting the PM schedule to replace the fluid is the most logical first step. Monitor and verify the solution. Again, you need good data here. CMMS software can help you track maintenance tasks and the results. In this case, you schedule inspections to make sure your solution worked and pull historical reports on the maintenance work at specific time periods. What Are the “5 Whys” of Root Cause Analysis? Root cause analysis requires understanding the “why” of a failure. But, as maintenance professionals know, failures can have multiple causes—and one failure can be the cause of another. Continuing with our simple example, we can dig deeper using the 5 “whys” to get to the heart of the matter. Why #1: Why did the equipment fail? Answer: A part overheated. Why #2: Why did the part overheat? Answer: The fluid or oil deteriorated to the point that the lack of lubrication caused the part to overheat. Why #3: Why did the fluid or oil deteriorate? Answer: It wasn’t changed at the recommended time. Why #4: Why wasn’t it changed? Answer: The PM was missed or not scheduled. Why #5: Why was the PM missed or not scheduled? Answer: The schedule wasn’t set up properly in the CMMS software. Asking “why” eventually leads to the solution—in this case setting up a schedule or improving the notification process. Note that while we went through five “whys,” you could go through more. For example, Why #6: Why wasn’t the schedule set up properly in the CMMS software? Answer: The team wasn’t properly trained and made a mistake. Note that each “why” has a partial solution. Getting to the root of the failure, however, prevents it from happening again. Using Root Cause Analysis to Improve Maintenance Root cause analysis helps the maintenance team move from reactive to proactive maintenance. As a result, you can make better use of your team’s time and resources. CMMS software helps with accurate information on what’s impacting productivity, profitability, and corporate. And with that increased capability comes increased opportunity to improve organizational performance at all levels, including the maintenance department. CMMS software is the best tool you have for gathering, analyzing, and reporting data about your equipment and your team. And by using that data, you can 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. Find out how MPulse CMMS software can help your maintenance team use root cause analysis. Leave a comment or contact us.
What We’ve Learned about the Industrial Internet of Things
What is the Industrial Internet of Things? The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) will change the way maintenance professionals collect asset information and exchange data with other systems. The IIoT describes systems that gather information directly from multiple devices. For example, these devices can include computers, vehicles, smartphones, appliances, building automation systems, production equipment, and almost anything else with a sensor. This valuable data will shape your maintenance team’s productivity and efficiency. It also means more real-time data to provide better insights into your assets, how they’re working, and what they’re really costing you. Growth of IIoT Mordor Intelligence anticipates growing opportunities in the Internet of Things. The global IoT market is expected to reach a value of USD 1,386.06 billion by 2026 from USD 761.4 billion in 2020 at a CAGR of 10.53%, during the period 2021-2026. Factors spurring that growth include… development of wireless networking technologies emergence of advanced data analytics reduction in the cost of connected devices an increase in cloud platform adoption While those are impressive numbers, adoption of the IIoT has been slower than many predicted five years ago. IIoT opportunities and impacts change as the physical and digital worlds of the organization merge. Here’s everything you need to know about the IIoT and the challenges for your organization. Common Challenges with IIoT Experience The skillsets needed for the IIoT will require retooling for your maintenance team. The implementation of the IIoT means more data (a great deal more) in real time, and maintenance personnel will need training to take advantage of the value these data streams deliver. “Big data” analytics provide a means of turning the ever-increasing stream of asset data into actionable information. Once your team gathered data on the floor at the machine. However, the IIoT means that data will appear on a computer screen. One of the essentials of the Industrial Internet of Things is the ability to use that data efficiently to make improvements to maintenance. Technology The software, sensors, and controls running today’s facilities and equipment are outdated and difficult to upgrade. Companies cannot readily incorporate new features and improvements. Limited integration between internal systems (managerial apps, plant data sources) and external partners creates data silos. Plus, limited embedded computing or intelligence control exists at the device, product, or plant level. However, network connectivity is rapidly improving across factories and other facilities, and a wider range of providers is offering higher-capacity, lower-cost cloud-based storage. Smaller, more reliable, and more intelligent sensors for virtually all types of assets and measures are becoming more readily available at affordable prices. Additionally, modern CMMS software supports data collection from IoT devices by analyzing real-time readings so maintenance teams can react faster. Security The number one challenge to IIoT implementation is concern about security. If your operations are exposed to the world via the Internet, how can they be protected? Of course, the anxiety is understandable. Aging operating systems and vulnerable operational technologies pose security risks because they cannot be easily retired or replaced. As technology evolves, however so does security. There are already best practices and a wide array of evolving technologies companies can employ to minimize risk. But it’s important to remember that organizations don’t necessarily need to expose metrics or controls to the Internet to move forward. While this doesn’t eliminate the threat altogether, it does lessen it considerably. While there is always some natural resistance to change, the manager’s job will be to help their team get past this resistance and stay ahead of the curve as technology continues to advance. We expect the IIoT will become increasingly important as younger employees, who are very comfortable with technology, enter the field. The IIoT is here, whether you are prepared or not. It’s time to get ready. Contact us for more information.
The Future of Maintenance Management: Mobile Technology
Mobile technology is the future of maintenance management. This software usage is growing rapidly across industries and organizations, and those of us in the maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) profession are no exception to the mobile technology future. It’ll come as no surprise to anyone who’s spent time in a public setting that most Americans now own a smartphone. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, 91% of American adults have a cell phone of some sort, and 56% of them have smartphones. Benefits of Mobile Technology for Maintenance Management The growing market for smartphones may seem “old hat,” though, compared to the latest and greatest device—the tablet. Pew reports it’s one of the fastest growing new technologies today, with 35% of Americans older than 16 owning at least one. That’s almost twice as many as 2012. Multiple Functions with One Device While smartphones and tablets started as consumer products, they’re quickly transforming the business world. The flexibility of these devices has changed the way we work. Both run on the concept of “the app”—a mobile-enabled software program that allows one device to provide multiple functions. With apps, a smartphone is able to replace a host of other technologies: Cell phone Desktop or laptop computer (for many functions) GPS device Camera Gaming console Pager Video camera, And much more. Tablets can do many of the same things as smartphones. And with their larger screen size, improved portability, and dead-simple ease of use, many people are beginning to use them exclusively instead of laptops. Intuitive Hardware and Software Mobile device designers have focused heavily on improving ease of use, so it’s likely your employees will need minimal training. Many will have already used smartphones and tablets in their personal lives, and increasingly standardized application interfaces mean that lessons learned navigating one app are easily transferable to new ones. You gain these benefits of mobile technology only if you choose devices that support the leading mobile operating systems. According to StatCounter, the two leaders, as of September 2024, were Google’s Android OS (72% market share) and Apple’s iOS (28%). Other manufacturers are far behind with less than 1% market share each. Improved Bandwidth, Better Access The explosive growth of mobile technology is being matched by growing bandwidth and better access to it. You can now connect to the Internet, and virtually any business application, from almost anywhere, via Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Improved security features also mean you can safely control access to your data, even when you aren’t in the office. More Usable Mobility Mobile technology is a natural fit for maintainers. With smartphones and tablets, you can capture information on the spot—instead of jotting it down on paper to be input later. With hardened cases by companies like Incipio and Otterbox/LifeProof, you can use devices in dirty, hazardous industrial environments. More choices of screen sizes, too, mean there are models that work well for larger hands—and older eyes. Using mobile technology software in business allows you to access critical information easily without calling back to the office or getting “plugged in.” Imagine your staff being able to do these activities from anywhere: Open, access, and complete work orders Send or upload photographs of failed components View available parts inventory Access historical data on assets Get up-to-the minute alerts and reports Update inventory using barcode scanning and online ordering systems Access maintenance and repair manuals Record locations automatically with a GPS-enabled device. What Can Mobile Technology Do for You? The potential and benefits of mobile technology software are huge for maintenance professionals. Imagine one application that works wherever you need it to, whether it’s on a desktop computer, a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet. The future of mobile maintenance management starts with CMMS. The combination of mobile devices with CMMS makes for a powerful tool to help you get the job done where the maintenance actually happens. Learn how to use MPulse CMMS Software virtually on any device! Contact us!
How to Roll Up Data From Your Multi-Location Business
Managing maintenance across multiple locations holds unique challenges. Any organization with more than one location needs multi-site management strategies that actually work. CMMS software can help you standardize your workflow processes and reporting across locations. For example, these locations may include different storerooms, warehouses, offices, buildings, territories, regions, areas, etc. Here’s our how-to guide on how businesses with multiple locations/businesses can roll up their data to get a bird’s eye view of the business. How to Manage Multiple Business Locations The best way for multi-location brands to manage local business data is to connect all the locations across your distributed enterprise with the right software. As a result, you can have truly global settings, global reporting, and enterprise-wide inventory search and transfer. MPulse Multisite Connector provides a universal framework to connect all the locations across your distributed enterprise. Thus, you’ll know what’s going on at every site across the company with just a few clicks. With each work order or purchase request, MPulse collects the data you need for making cost-effective decisions. Data collection and reports are customizable, so you collect the information you need. Most importantly, when an emergency arises, Multisite Connector makes it easy to access this critical data when you need it most. How to Effectively Run a Multi-Location Management Strategy Multisite Connector ensures your maintenance processes, reporting needs, and data are the same at each location. Three major features are vital to any organization managing maintenance data in multiple sites. These features are… Enterprise Asset Status Board: Provides a single-screen graphical view that shows the health of assets across your enterprise. Enterprise Inventory Transfer Manager: Enables you to find inventory in storerooms across your enterprise, so your maintenance team can request, retrieve, and fulfill in a smooth transfer process. Enterprise Reporting: Create roll-up reporting across MPulse instances and across your entire enterprise, helping your organization make decisions based on hard data. Improve Location Management with MPulse’s Multisite Connector Tool Multisite Connector can provide a guide to managing data for multi-location brands. Therefore, you can save time and money at every site (and for the organization as a whole) by using MPulse Multisite Connector to… Track work orders, breakdowns, asset health, and other key metrics Streamline stocking, ordering, and other inventory processes Gather and report data You might think that only large organizations can afford a tool as powerful as Multisite Connector. However, MPulse has customers of all sizes who are reaping the benefits of standardizing maintenance across sites or locations. Learn about MPulse’s full range of available software features and how to reap the rewards of CMMS software across your entire enterprise. Contact us today to find out how MPulse can help with digital brand management strategies for multi-locations.
Three Reasons You Don’t Need Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance (PdM) sounds like a maintenance manager’s dream. Want to know when your equipment starts to break down and fix it before it actually fails? Sign us up. 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. But predictive maintenance isn’t for everyone. Here are three predictive maintenance challenges to consider before you make the move. Top Obstacles to Overcome when Implementing Predictive Maintenance Expense and ROI One of the biggest problems with predictive maintenance—and the top obstacle to implementing it—is the cost. Predictive maintenance requires a combination of gauges, meters, or other measurement techniques like infrared thermography, vibration analysis, or lubrication analysis. Plus, you need to store the data in CMMS. All those things cost money. Like any business investment, you need to calculate the return on investment (ROI) to determine if the cost will pay off in the long run. Technical Knowledge When real-time data is added to the CMMS software, either remotely or manually, its true potential is realized. But that requires some technical knowledge to use it correctly. With CMMS software, you can capture, store, and organize data for reports and predictive analytical tools. You’ll get alarms and alerts for current conditions that indicate future problems, enabling you to take action before the equipment breaks. Additionally, the real-time data is logged in the CMMS system with the rest of the maintenance data, putting it in context, and giving you much more powerful information about your assets. This information increases in value over time because prior failure patterns can predict future failure patterns. But all the data in the world doesn’t do you any good if you don’t, or can’t, make it work for you. Time If there’s one thing that’s in short supply around the maintenance department, it’s time. Implementing predictive maintenance requires time to research solutions, convince management, overcome concerns and obstacles, buy equipment, set it up, test it, train employees, and much more. Again, if the ROI doesn’t pencil out, predictive maintenance isn’t for you. Are any of these problems with predictive maintenance preventing you from moving forward? That’s okay. A solid preventive maintenance program may be enough for you. If these don’t apply, however, learn more about how MPulse can help you. Contact us.