Maintainly: Changing Preventative Maintenance
By Steven Quayle
When it comes to managing a facility, preventative maintenance can - rightfully - take up a large percentage of your day to day tasks. You spend time identifying problems, inspecting equipment, repairing equipment all while trying to remain “proactive”.
Being proactive or imposing preventative maintenance routines is important because it helps extend the lifespan of equipment, reduces downtime, and it makes sure that operations are both reliable and safe.
The introduction of CMMS or computerized maintenance management systems have made the process of preventative maintenance much easier and effective.
An Introduction to CMMS
CMMS is a special type of software meant to streamline a variety of maintenance operations within larger facilities that have expansive and complicated pieces of equipment. Prolonging the life of this equipment and avoiding production shutdowns is the main directive.
A CMMS provides facility managers with a centralized platform that is able to track maintenance activities, schedule preventative maintenance, maintain an asset database, and keep everyone involved informed.
CMMS software like Maintainly started off with basic tracking functions, but have since advanced to detailed and robust platforms that are able to integrate many different functionalities that are crucial for maintaining modern facilities.
CMMS = Preventive Maintenance
Asset Tracking and Management
Facility managers are able to maintain concise inventory of all of their assets. This includes things like warranty information, maintenance history, and replacement parts.
Being able to manage assets comprehensively allows facility managers to make informed decisions about upgrades, replacements, and repairs. It's about knowing when assets need maintenance.
Enhanced Scheduling of Maintenance
One of the biggest benefits of a CMMS is that it allows for automated maintenance scheduling.
This ensures that all maintenance tasks designed to prevent breakdowns are performed routinely and on time. Automating the scheduling of maintenance reduces the risk of equipment failing while also increasing the lifespan of those assets.
Addressing various problems and issues before they turn into something much worse is best practice. Any CMMS worth its money will allow for the creation of custom maintenance plans based on your specific needs and equipment.
Improved Risk Management and Compliance
Depending on the industry in question, there may be some very strict rules and regulations in terms of maintenance requirements. Customized software like Maintainly can help keep accurate records of all inspections and maintenance activities, compliant with industry standards.
It also makes that information readily available. No need to scour the office for a folder with a random report, simply log in, select the equipment and the information is right there, easily shared.
Extended Equipment Lifespan and Reduced Downtime
By engaging in regular preventative maintenance using a computerized maintenance management system, the equipment within facilities can last much longer.
When systems and equipment are regularly maintained, they break down less. This avoids costly emergency repairs, production downtime, and lost revenue. Avoiding a single emergency repair could pay for CMMS hundreds of times over.
Features to Consider in a CMMS for Preventative Maintenance
Before you choose any CMMS, there are a few key features that you should look out for.
Automated Maintenance Scheduling
The main feature that you should look out for with any CMMS is automated maintenance scheduling. Enabling this function provides you with reminders for upcoming maintenance and alerts all parties responsible. It can locate and identify the parts needed to perform the maintenance, making it even easier.
Spare Parts and Inventory Management
A large part of maintenance is knowing your inventory stock and ensuring that you have enough spare parts to keep all machines in working order. The more machines you have the more complicated it can get. This is more important post-COVID with global inventory and shipping networks restricted and becoming more costly.
Maintainly can help you keep track of all of your spare parts and equipment, so you can reorder them as needed. This helps ID any potential gaps or low levels of key components that might affect production.
Work Order Management
Maintenance requires a great deal of organization, and Maintainly allows facility managers to easily create, assign, track, and complete work orders. These can be tedious and getting everyone to fill them out properly can be difficult. This ensures that all maintenance tasks are documented, assigned to the appropriate personnel, and completed within the necessary time frame.
Mobile and Cloud Integration
Many CMMS providers offer great software solutions. However, are they mobile friendly? Does it have its own app? iOS and/or Android? Does the information sync with all users on your teams? Is it backed up to the Cloud? Is that data secure? All of these should be clearly outlined.
Realtime Data
Finally, when choosing a computerized maintenance management system, look for one that provides you with real time reporting and monitoring capabilities. Getting real time access to repair or maintenance updates for the whole team increases efficiency greatly.
CMMS Software for Preventative Maintenance
Utilizing a robust CMMS leads to less downtime, longer equipment lifespans, greater returns on investments, and reduced emergency maintenance costs. This has a positive effect on team morale and safety which can make your facility attract more talent and retain valuable members.
Take your facility management to the next level with Maintainly today to see how our advanced CMMS can help you streamline maintenance operations and achieve greater efficiency and savings.
