Using a CMMS: What Are the Benefits of a Computerized Maintenance Management System for Your Business?

In the era of digitalizing maintenance operations, Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software reigns supreme, provided you have assets to maintain, regardless of your industry. These systems are designed to forecast and manage all maintenance functions, thereby ensuring the quality of your company’s services. This is a key argument, especially considering that a breakdown or shutdown of equipment can be very costly for your business.

Discover how CMMS ensures the reliability of your production assets and contributes to the efficiency and profitability of your business.

CMMS: What Are We Talking About?

Definition and Brief History

CMMS, or Computerized Maintenance Management System, is a digital tool that manages and optimizes the organization and execution of maintenance operations within a company. Historically, these tasks were managed manually. With the advent of digital technology, the first CMMS software emerged in the 1980s, enhancing traceability and enabling more effective organization and scheduling of maintenance activities.

Initially reserved for large enterprises due to their cost, these solutions are becoming more widespread and essential across all types of organizations. They should not be confused with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems, which are more generalist; although a CMMS can be a module of an ERP, specialized software is recommended if maintenance is a critical concern.

What is the purpose of computerized maintenance management?

CMMS aims to simplify the management of maintenance operations. This simplification covers a broad range of functions, for example:

• Efficient scheduling that enables the effective organization of maintenance tasks, whether preventive or corrective;
• Optimized and real-time management of inventory status to anticipate material and spare part needs and efficiently assign technicians to various tasks;
• Document management functionalities that facilitate the storage, sharing, and modification of documents related to maintenance, interventions, or scheduling;
• Data visualization has become a key feature, allowing managers to gain an overview of their equipment’s performance, identify weak points, and implement continuous improvement strategies.

Equipment that can be managed through CMMS

The versatility of CMMS allows it to adapt to a wide range of equipment and sectors. For instance, it is used for maintenance of:

• Buildings, ensuring their proper function, safety, and that of their occupants.
• Distribution networks, whether for water, electricity, or gas, which can benefit from CMMS supervision to prevent outages or malfunctions.
• Industrial equipment or rolling stock to ensure their safety or extend their lifespan.
• IT equipment to anticipate failures and ensure service continuity.
• Documents and archives to maintain their preservation, accessibility, and regular updating.

The Benefits of CMMS for Equipment Management

Enhanced Responsiveness to Urgent Situations

The efficiency of a business often depends on its ability to respond quickly to unexpected situations. In this context, CMMS emerges as an essential solution for proactively and effectively managing corrective actions.

In the event of equipment failure or malfunction, the system immediately alerts the maintenance team. Furthermore, in terms of after-sales service, CMMS provides rigorous tracking of customer requests, ensuring efficient and prompt handling of inquiries. The result? Reduced downtime and increased customer satisfaction.

In-Depth Knowledge of Equipment

Having a clear understanding of the status and specifics of each piece of equipment is crucial. CMMS enables businesses to centralize all information related to their equipment, whether it’s maintenance history, technical specifications, or lifecycle.

This detailed knowledge significantly eases the planning of maintenance operations. It also allows for the forecasting of spare parts needs, anticipation of equipment replacements, and prioritization of interventions.

Real-Time Tracking of Interventions

Transparency and traceability are major strengths of CMMS. Each intervention, whether planned or unexpected, is recorded. Thus, companies can easily analyze the data to detect potential recurring patterns, weaknesses, or opportunities for improvement. Moreover, real-time access to this information allows managers to make quick and informed decisions.

CMMS: What ROI Can Be Expected?

Implementing a CMMS is more than just an investment; it represents a strategic approach aimed at drastic cost optimization. According to data, adopting preventive maintenance can enable a company to save between 12% and 18% of the costs usually associated with repair fees and reactive maintenance. The AFIM (Association of Maintenance Engineers) has conducted studies to quantify the tangible benefits of using a CMMS:

• A reduction in preparation times for work ranging from 20% to 30%.
• A decrease in intervention times between 10% and 30%.
• An increase in equipment lifespan by up to 50%.
• A reduction in production downtime estimated at 10%.

Choosing the Right CMMS Solution

Today, numerous CMMS solutions are available on the market. The selected solution must not only address the specific issues of each company but also consider the existing technical and human environment.

Several essential criteria should be considered in this important decision, including:

• Deployment Mode (SaaS or On-Premise): SaaS solutions offer the advantage of online accessibility, automatic updates, and often a lower initial cost. On the other hand, an on-premise solution can provide more granular control but typically requires more IT maintenance.
• User Experience (UX): A user-friendly and ergonomic interface is crucial for facilitating the adoption of the software by users, thereby reducing training time.
• Public API: Indeed, the ability to integrate the CMMS with other software tools via an API is a major asset for interconnected and seamless information management.
• Responsive Support: Prompt and efficient support is a guarantee of peace of mind, ensuring that any issues or questions are addressed promptly.

The challenges associated with maintenance are sometimes underestimated by companies; however, when it is regarded as a strategic issue, it becomes a significant lever for improvement and growth. Therefore, selecting the right CMMS solution can enable a company to meet or exceed its objectives.