Remote CMMS in a Post-Pandemic World
By Eve
COVID-19 (remember that?) had a major impact on businesses, forcing many to adapt to hybrid or remote work models. No industry was immune to this trend and as we gradually move on it seems that hybrid work is going to stay in some form or another, especially with the younger generations entering the workforce.
The Pandemic and Remote Work
Senior economist Kory Kantenga described remote work during the pandemic as “...a proof of concept.” For many businesses, the shift demonstrated that remote work was not just possible, but feasible. Gallup reports that “The average U.S. worker spends 3.8 days per month working from home in 2023, down from 5.8 in 2020 but higher than the 2.4 average from 2019.”
This shift toward remote work is not as relevant to some industries, but it’s fair to conclude that remote work isn’t going anywhere.
How Was CMMS Software Affected?
Unfortunately, during the pandemic, most forms of CMMS software didn’t evolve with the times. Even now, most CMMS software is bloated and outdated, and many systems have a steep learning curve, which means weeks to implement.
Many do not have a suitable communication platform or mobile accessibility to manage work orders. During the pandemic, business owners saw the need for improved flexibility and mobility in regards to location parameters. In response, CMMS services had to evolve—clunky software and limited communication options weren’t good enough anymore. Supervisors and managers needed the capability to schedule and track work orders remotely (often on open networks) with minimal physical interaction.
With the emphasis on social distancing, remote work order scheduling, platform communication, and mobile functionality became key features for a CMMS.
CMMS Software in 2024-2025
CMMS is a crucial tool to help businesses manage their maintenance scheduling and assets. Here’s how the right CMMS like Maintainly can help you grow your business.
Resuming Normal Operations
For many workers, going from hybrid/remote work back to in-office work takes some adjustment. Even now, several years after the pandemic, the impact that COVID-19 will have on the workplace is not fully understood.
A common issue we heard from customers was that with “flex days” people have an option once or twice a week to work from home. Some choose Mondays, others Fridays, some it’s the day they have to pick up the kids from school - the freedom to choose the day that works best for them is the perk. That slight variation in scheduling limits the amount of time some employees are on-site at the same time. If two employees choose different days, then there is only 3 days a week they are physically on-site together. Add a few more employees to the equation and the overlap decreases even more.
A CMMS can help streamline work orders and maintenance requests on days when everyone required is present. These little improvements help the transition to in-person work again, reducing stress and frustration for supervisors.
Critical Usage
A CMMS is helpful to identify and manage critical assets to make sure they are kept in good health and sufficient quantity. This data is essential to mitigate risk in the event of supply chain shortages that are becoming more problematic in today’s global economy.
Remote Work Assignment
With the Maintainly app your team can update work orders on the go. They can set priority on tasks and get updated with progress reports. This remote communication is efficient and creates as few obstacles for them as possible.
Worker Safety
Keeping workers safe should be the top priority for business owners. A CMMS can improve worker safety in several ways. First, by uploading assets, you can see all relevant documentation about the asset. That includes instruction manuals, purchase date, breakdown frequency, and parts used. It also allows uploading of images, which can be extremely helpful when making repairs. We all know the phrase “A picture is worth 1000 words” and in this context it’s true. You can implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to the system to make sure maintenance is done as efficiently as possible.
Even new sanitation regulations can be implemented via a CMMS as an update to the SOP. The software can keep digital records of proper sanitation practices, which can help workers protect themselves and others from illness.
This also helps supervisors assign technicians to work by giving them access to updated procedures without needing a lengthy back-and-forth conversation.
Remote Communication
Modern CMMS software acts as a communication platform, too. You can enable managers and supervisors to have different permissions so that different users have the tools they need to get the job done. Some of these communication features include:
Scanning asset QR codes to create or view work orders.
Creating reactive or automated preventive maintenance tasks.
Accepting, tracking, and managing maintenance requests.
Assigning & notifying users with mobile push notifications.
These features allow for intuitive, easy communication across different hierarchies so that you never miss important equipment maintenance.
Mobile Compatibility
Some CMMS software services, like Maintainly, have a mobile app that you can use to create and track work orders on the go. This includes features like asset hierarchies, scannable QR labels, and geolocation of moving assets.
The mobile app also gives you access to on-the-go auditing tools. Lastly, communication is much easier with the mobile app, which can coordinate teams and equip technicians with all the information they need.
Why Maintainly Is the Best CMMS for 2025
Getting back to normal takes time. Maintainly understands the importance of adapting in a post-pandemic world, which is why our CMMS software is intuitive, easy to set up, and modular to scale alongside your business. You’ve had to adapt after the pandemic, and we’ve adapted right alongside you. With mix ‘n’ match plans, we’re here to help you leverage the CMMS features you need the most to grow your business as you settle back to a traditional workflow following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our cutting-edge CMMS can get you started on your first asset in minutes, and with remote management via the Maintainly app, you can get in touch with your team anytime, anywhere. With Maintainly’s straightforward design, you’ll never miss preventive maintenance again! If you’re interested in learning more about how our CMMS works or how we can help you input your first asset, contact us today to learn more about our plans or to start your free CMMS trial.
