Preventive or predictive maintenance: Which is right for your company?

Introduction

Guaranteeing the performance and longevity of equipment is a strategic challenge for modern businesses. Two maintenance approaches dominate the landscape: preventive maintenance and predictive maintenance. But which strategy is best suited to your operating context? The choice depends on many factors, such as equipment criticality, costs and data accessibility.

Defining concepts: preventive and predictive maintenance

Preventive maintenance: plan to prevent

Preventive maintenance is based on a predefined schedule of interventions designed to avoid breakdowns. It includes :

• Regular checks to identify potential anomalies.
• Scheduled replacement of wearing parts.
• Periodic reviews, based on historical data and manufacturers' recommendations.

Although simple to implement, preventive maintenance can lead to unnecessary interventions and indirect costs associated with equipment downtime.

Predictive maintenance: anticipating with data

Predictive maintenance uses sensors and algorithms to monitor the condition of assets in real time. It detects early signs of failure and intervenes only when necessary. This reduces unplanned downtime and optimizes resources.

However, it requires a higher initial investment, particularly for the installation of sensors, communication systems and analysis software.

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Decision factors: Which strategy to choose?

1. Costs and ROI
   • Preventive maintenance is cost-effective in the short term.
   • Predictive maintenance offers a higher return on investment by optimizing resources and reducing breakdowns.
2. Type of equipment
   • For critical or strategic equipment, predictive control is often preferable.
   • Preventive maintenance is still appropriate for simple, less costly assets.
3. Sector of activity
   • In sectors such as aeronautics or healthcare, regulations often impose preventive maintenance cycles.
   • The manufacturing and energy industries are taking advantage of predictive maintenance to improve their competitiveness.
4. Numerical skills
   • Predictive maintenance requires a robust technical infrastructure, including sensors, IoT systems and analytical skills.

CMMS, an indispensable ally

Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) play a central role in both approaches:

• Preventive: CMMS schedules interventions, alerts on deadlines and centralizes maintenance histories.
• Predictive: collects, analyzes and interprets sensor data to generate precise recommendations.

With solutions like K-NOW, companies can integrate these functionalities into their maintenance strategy, while facilitating the adoption of digital tools by their teams.

Optimize your maintenance with a hybrid strategy

The key to success often lies in a hybrid approach combining the strengths of both methodologies:

• Use preventive maintenance for less critical assets and to meet regulatory requirements.
• Integrate predictive maintenance for your strategic equipment, to improve availability and minimize operating costs.

Conclusion

Preventive and predictive maintenance are not opposites, but complementary strategies which, when used properly, maximize equipment reliability and performance. By relying on tools such as CMMS and adopting a progressive approach, your company can take a decisive step towards optimized asset management.

Want to digitize your maintenance? Contact Knowmore for adoption solutions tailored to your needs, so you can integrate your tools with complete peace of mind.

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