Why Real-Time Monitoring Should Be on Your Maintenance “To Do” List

One of the best things about modern maintenance software is today’s small companies are better able to compete—thanks to affordable, enterprise-level CMMS applications.

Such is the case with one MPulse customer, a manufacturing company faced with reinventing itself in a highly competitive industry. The maintenance manager, Rob, is a forward-thinking guy who constantly looks for ways to improve their maintenance plan.

Years after his first MPulse CMMS implementation, Rob has continually pushed the software—and us—to take his maintenance operations to the next level.

“We survived the recession, but we knew we needed to improve our efficiency to stay in business as the economy recovered,” Rob said. “We’ve done a great job of pumping up our preventive maintenance program and asset documentation with MPulse. But I knew we could do more.”

Real-Time Data Collection and Monitoring

Rob ran a labor analysis report in his MPulse CMMS software, and he saw how much time his team spent gathering data on assets.

“I calculated how much time my techs were spending on data collection and entry, and it added up quickly,” Rob said. “Not just the time to collect the data, but the time to go back and fix problems because of data entry mistakes. There had to be an easier way.”

Rob’s company added the MPulse Real-Time Monitoring (RTM) Bundle to their MPulse CMMS software to simplify data entry and use that information to expand their preventive maintenance program.

The MPulse RTM Bundle combines two MPulse products…

  • MPulse Datalink Integration Adapter collects data from building automation systems (BAS), pressure gauges, heat sensors, vibration monitors, and virtually any digital measurement devices, and sends that data to Rob’s MPulse CMMS database.
  • MPulse Condition-Based Monitoring (CBM) allows Rob to track unlimited gauges and meters on every asset, and to set upper and lower threshold alerts and alarms. CBM also enables Rob to trend that data in reports so he can monitor asset performance over time.

Benefits of Real-Time Monitoring

Rob’s team saw the benefits of real-time monitoring immediately. “We recouped the software upgrade and training costs in less than a year,” he said.

These benefits included…

  • Faster response times with automated alerts
  • Reduced staffing and overtime
  • Fewer errors due to manual data entry
  • Time-series charting to spot trends
  • Reduced data input redundancy.

As Rob discovered, real-time monitoring is a natural fit with the way maintenance teams operate—collecting data faster and easier than ever. Best of all, maintenance managers like Rob can use that information to proactively perform maintenance and even predict asset failures.

Some maintenance managers might say Rob is an early adopter. But the truth is, real-time monitoring is here, and it’s growing.

How could real-time monitoring help your organization? Leave a comment below or contact us.