We’ve discussed why you might not need a predictive maintenance program, and how to do it right if you do. But, how do you know if your company is ready for a predictive maintenance strategy? Start by looking for these signs your company is ready for predictive maintenance.
Sign #1: An Effective Preventive Maintenance Program
If your company already uses effective preventive maintenance, then you might be ready for a step up to a predictive maintenance solution.
An effective preventive maintenance program is the first step in maintenance management. When a maintenance team establishes and regularly performs PM tasks that contribute to the upkeep of assets, an organization may be able to sidestep serious problems that arise as a result of neglect. Additionally, it can delay more expensive maintenance.
Preventive maintenance software will generate an automatic schedule of PM tasks. As a result, it’s simpler to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. These schedules and inspections also help spot issues before they occur. Maintenance intervals can be scheduled based on time, operating hours, or part condition—triggering a work order just before the point when system inefficiencies or failures begin to occur.
An effective preventive maintenance program gives you the foundation you’ll need for predictive maintenance tools.
Sign #2: Good Inventory and Parts Management
Much like preventive maintenance, inventory management is another key element of advanced maintenance management. The biggest benefit of parts and supplies inventory management is controlling your cost of maintenance. You also can get your fastest return on investment (ROI) by implementing inventory management. That’s because for most organizations, a large portion of capital sits in the stockroom.
Parts and supplies inventory management helps your organization save time and money by improving tracking, stocking, ordering, and inventory processes. With effective inventory control and parts management, you prevent time- and money-wasting problems like running out of parts, searching for lost parts or duplicating inventory you didn’t know you had. Most importantly, when an emergency arises, this information provides critical data for making cost-efficient decisions.
Inventory management is a hot topic in maintenance management, and it can be tricky to implement. If your company is already streamlining its inventory management processes, you’ll be prepared for the next steps involved with a predictive maintenance program.
Sign #3: Advanced CMMS Features
If you’ve moved beyond the basics and started implementing advanced features in your CMMS software, you can likely upgrade to the features needed for predictive maintenance solutions. In addition to preventive maintenance and work order management features included in CMMS software, advanced features might include things like advanced reporting, purchase requisitions, cost center tracking, data integration, and condition-based maintenance.
Predictive maintenance technology also requires some advanced software features. If your organization is already working with similar tools, you’ll be ready for the technology involved.
Sign #4: Use of IoT Devices
The Internet of Things (IoT) is changing the way maintenance professionals collect asset information and exchange data with other systems. If you’re using, or are planning to use, IoT devices, you’re likely moving towards a predictive maintenance strategy. Predictive maintenance software supports data collection from IoT devices by analyzing real-time readings so maintenance teams can react faster.
The combination of the IoT and CMMS software helps maintenance technicians spot issues and prevent more serious breakdowns and repairs. Data from the IoT helps with…
- Improved scheduling and less unplanned overtime
- Accurate tracking of spare parts and inventory
- More accessible information on asset conditions
- Clearly defined benchmarks
As things all around us are outfitted with sensors to communicate what’s happening within and around them, this valuable data has the potential to shape your maintenance team’s productivity and efficiency. Predictive maintenance software is the next step on this journey.
Sign #5: Training Plan
We’ve talked about the importance of training in maintenance. And, it’s true for predictive maintenance tools as well. Most predictive maintenance software use technology like infrared thermography, vibration analysis, or lubrication analysis. To be successful, a comprehensive predictive maintenance program must include monitoring and diagnostic techniques. You’ll need to evaluate the resources you’ll need, assign roles and responsibilities, and provide education and training.
Investing in predictive maintenance tools without training your people to use it is penny-wise and pound-foolish. Some stakeholders may need more direction than others, so plan accordingly.
If you need help, start by calling our industrial technology experts at (800) 944-1796 (USA and Canada) or +1 (541) 302-6677 (outside of USA and Canada). We’re happy to share our secrets to success.
Planning your strategy for implementing predictive maintenance software can feel overwhelming, but MPulse is here to help. Contact us. We’ve worked with our customers, both large and small, to integrate predictive maintenance technology in their maintenance operations. We’ll get you where you need to be at a pace that works for you.
