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After years of helping you manage your office work, are you now finding your company's custom CMMS software to be slow, and confusing, and your co-workers and colleagues feel that it's not as effective as it used to be? Then it's time to update, and this is where you can start. Management software, order management software, warehouse management software, CMMS, etc. Whatever your needs, the professional world is full of software that helps us achieve results every day. You might be surprised how many companies rely on software that was developed more than a decade ago or isn't state-of-the-art on a day-to-day basis. It was slow, outdated, and had little in common with the newer versions, which made the tools increasingly user-friendly and intuitive for users. In fact, you're probably reading this article because you've realized it's time to make a change to your business. What Is A CMMS? The acronym CMMS stands for Computerized Maintenance Management System. This software package was designed to manage maintenance globally, on a strategic, financial, and operational level. It is today the essential software of the industrial sector. Much more than simple computer programming, it is an assistant for maintenance teams, the cornerstone of industrial efficiency. Because you can use it to achieve different goals, there are different ways to describe computerized maintenance management software. On the one hand, it is sophisticated software that captures and uses thousands of data points to provide an overview of how a facility is an operating or detailed information about individual pieces of equipment. In terms of functionality, CMMS software offers businesses the ability to monitor inventory levels, manage work orders, set up and schedule preventive maintenance programs, and quickly generate accurate reports. But on another level, it's just the solution maintenance managers need. Automating processes and streamlining workflows makes your life less stressful by making your workday more predictable. How Does A CMMS Work? The easiest way to understand how it works is to first look at two old ways of managing maintenance, paper and spreadsheets. With paper, you always run the risk of losing or corrupting data. Every time you doodle a new work order, chances are you'll include mistakes. And even if you copy everything perfectly, chances are someone will lose that piece of paper, your only copy of that essential data. With spreadsheets, it's the opposite problem. The risks of copying and pasting bad data are still there, but now you often have too many copies of the same data. Why is this a problem? As soon as someone updates one copy's information, all other disconnected copies are out of sync. In the end, each member of the team works from their own version of the truth. Everyone is out of it, but no one realizes it. What Are The Main Benefits Of A CMMS? The main benefits of CMMS software are: Plan maintenance interventions Using a CMMS, you can create maintenance plans and execute them individually for each piece of equipment. This gives you the opportunity to develop different types of interim interventions for each asset or group of assets with similar needs. Immediate processing of work orders: Centralized systems can efficiently and often automatically create, prioritize, schedule, and manage work orders, reducing paper documentation and programming costs. Reduce maintenance costs A CMMS can help you track maintenance costs, track your investments, create reports to share, and save money when you need it. Real-time asset information Centralized cloud data is continuously collected and accessible to all, allowing all information about an asset to be retrieved with a single mouse click, simplifying problem identification and remediation. Resource Monitoring and Control To address issues related to material shortages or material overruns, a CMMS helps in monitoring and managing resource inventories and keeps track of stock items, special orders, or various itineraries. Speed​​up inspections and repairs By continuously monitoring resources, maintenance calls and inspections can be speeded up, reducing unplanned downtime; in fact, with a CMMS, you can read the history of problems and repairs to intervene as soon as possible. Extending the useful life of assets Resources that are continuously monitored and kept in an efficient state through inspections and planned ad hoc interventions will naturally extend their useful life. Increased Safety Damaged machinery poses a risk to the work environment and the operator. A CMMS reduces security risks by verifying that equipment is operating within certain safe zones and signaling appropriate intervention if necessary. Improve system compliance Managing security programs and controlling regulatory compliance is quick and easy. As a result, maintenance audits can be prepared in less time, with existing data in hand, saving time and money. Improve work team efficiency You can leverage the potential of a central platform to unify the activities of internal teams and coordinate them with external partners, improving workflow, improving communication between parties, and significantly reducing errors. [cta title="CMMS customized for your needs!" text="Book a WorkTrek demo to see how a CMMS can help your asset management." link="https://login.worktrek.com/Account/Register?_gl=1*fpersd*_ga*MTcwMjE1OTkzNy4xNjU0NTA3NTI2*_ga_8N6446P9LX*MTY3Mzk2ODEzNS4yNi4xLjE2NzM5Njg4MDAuNDguMC4w"] What Can A CMMS Implementation Help Your Maintenance Team Achieve? By implementing a CMMS, your business can experience real change. However, it can only be successful if it understands its ultimate goal. This goal may vary from company to company, but we can identify some common goals that all maintenance companies want to achieve. Meet and exceed your goals: Desired goals may include reducing downtime, reducing costs, or improving safety, among others. The right CMMS with the necessary features will help you achieve your goals, whatever they may be. However, success depends largely on clear goals and proper planning. Standardization process: CMMS best practices unify all processes and procedures in one system. Having and using multiple systems can become confusing over time and create confusion when managing your business. CMMS implementations thrive and lead to positive standardization outcomes when integrated with other operational tools your business requires. Force general users to accept: Maintenance management software can only have a real impact on the business when the right people use it consistently and correctly. User acceptance should be 100% to ensure efficient work, no missed tasks, and accurate data collection. Another thing you might want to consider is role-based access control to ensure that only users who need access can access specific data. Driving digital transformation: A CMMS implementation is just the beginning of the digital transformation journey for your maintenance team. Successful adoption of maintenance management software can make an impact not just on the surface, but at the core. Automation moves the business forward and creates an environment for the maintenance department and beyond to grow. What is Custom Software Development? Any process of designing, developing, deploying, and maintaining software for a specific user, company, or organization is known as custom CMMS software development. Custom CMMS software development companies provide companies with software development tailored to their business needs. They are also responsible for consistent software upgrades, management, and quality assurance, with expert, scalable teams, careful project management, and tracking tools. Unlike commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS), custom software development is designed to facilitate specific tasks based on the needs of a business or company. It doesn't follow a one-size-fits-all approach like COTS. Instead, it is used for data processing and problem-solving for large clients and companies. Different Categories Of Custom Software Development Depending on the needs of the company, custom CMMS software applications can be developed in three ways: Fully custom CMMS software: This type of software is developed with the company's needs in mind. The software was developed specifically for one company and only one company. A few examples of such custom software include software applications developed for Apple, McDonald's, Google, etc. Semi-custom Software This type of software is chosen by companies that do not want to change all the software they are currently using. Instead, they urge developers to add minor changes and features to the software according to their needs. Some semi-customized software applications are data management platforms added to CRM, marketing automation platforms added to CMS, and even the company's existing updated small business CRM, CMS, etc. It depends on how much the company wants to change the software it uses and centralizing client communication. Duplicate Software Most companies in the market require similar types of software applications to facilitate day-to-day administrative, logistical, and communication tasks. For such companies, little or no code changes are required to use the same software. Where Do I Start Changing Software? Switching software also has its downsides: you need to check for compatibility with other business systems, make sure it has all the features you need, works well, and that the vendor understands your needs. We know that none of this is obvious, and we often see the software in many companies that is not helpful to users. However, the effort is worth it because well-designed tools help save time, which means less stress, more money saved, and greater employee productivity. Generally speaking, there are two ways: use off-the-shelf software or let a software company develop custom CMMS software. Both methods have pros and cons, so let's take a look together. What Are The Benefits Of Custom CMMS Software? Unique software When the software is customized, it is of course tailored to the needs of the company, and it is also unique. Creating custom programming articles for a company ensures that the product includes all the elements and functionality a club needs to run its business smoothly. Programmers can create programs that fit the company's goals and provide the company with ample opportunities for growth. Unique software can give your business an edge when it comes to maintenance. Integration Technology develops very fast. Team members as an organization may also need to extract data from other software to increase productivity. Custom software can leverage the data from the software to help the company get a better return on investment. Integration is one of the most significant benefits of taking a custom approach. Integration comes in handy if the software needs to be redesigned in the future. We know that there are a lot of upgrades that need to be regularly documented as part of maintenance, and with integration, it will be easier to create software later on. Improve ROI There is no doubt that investing in custom software is more expensive than traditional software. This is obvious because labor costs add up when you design software as you need it. However, custom CMMS software is more productive than traditional software because it is tailored to the needs of the business and provides more detail than traditional software, which obviously increases the return on investment. We know assets are expensive and keeping track of them is important, so a custom maintenance management tool can be of great benefit to a business. Higher productivity It's a given: Getting the software that fits your needs translates into higher productivity and better operations. When productivity increases, it translates into better asset utilization, which means more production and more profit. When you get accurate data information, you can manage assets more efficiently and effectively. Disadvantages Of Custom CMMS Software If you plan to move to a professional development team, carefully weigh the risks and consider the following disadvantages of custom CMMS software. Long development time Developing software from the ground up requires detailed planning and attracting world-class talent and resources. Therefore, the duration of development, including the discovery and testing phases, can take anywhere from a few months to over a year. High upfront investment The above solutions are quite expensive due to their complexity and high level of expertise. However, all costs are calculated in advance and predefined in the software requirements specification. This means there are no hidden costs, and the initial investment will pay for itself over time. Support and maintenance Exclusively tailored solutions require dedicated support services, such as live chat. However, you can rely on the expertise of a software development partner who truly understands your product. Advantages Of Standard Software Compatible price Since packaged solutions are aimed at a broad audience, they are usually less expensive. Cost efficiencies are possible when multiple users "join" in support of the solution. Would it be cheaper than custom-developing my own software? Mostly yes: Some commercial software is offered as a monthly or annual subscription. There are often different plans available and differentiated by what is included. Sometimes, selected MVP tools even have free trial periods. Ease of adoption and faster time to market One of the greatest advantages of off-the-shelf software is its accessibility. In many cases, you buy a solution, access it, and make adjustments. Many functions already exist. Additionally, many third-party solutions offer quick automatic installation or easy-to-use constructors with intuitive building blocks. This can speed up time to market and MVP adoption, or integrate the functionality you need almost instantly. Does it help you get your work done faster? Certainly, especially when you compare custom CMMS software to off-the-shelf software in terms of development time frames. Includes maintenance and support You don't have to worry about improving package solutions. All upgrades, optimizations, new feature releases, and maintenance are the responsibility of the Provider. You don't have to constantly think about how to make the finished software better, safer, or more convenient. This is included in the package. If you experience any shortcomings, you can contact the provider for assistance. If something goes wrong, there is usually a simple customer service program that can help you. Disadvantages Of Standard Software Let's now look at the downsides of off-the-shelf software and the obstacles you might face if you decide to use it. Lack of customization Of course, each product can be modified to some degree, which requires additional resources. However, the end result is not always able to compete with solutions specially designed for a specific domain. Redundant functions Unfortunately, related products often have unrelated attributes. This complicates navigation and increases costs. You might agree that paying for extra features is the equivalent of buying a fancy car when all you need is a reliable family car. The reverse is also true, as the above solutions may not be enough to make your project a success. Compatibility issues Some technologies may become difficult to use because they may not be compatible with your current system. As a result, you may miss out on opportunities to take full advantage of technology-based innovations. Final cost The above-mentioned characteristics of the finished product lead to an increase in the final cost. Not only do they require ongoing investment, but they can also lead to financial losses due to a lack of uniqueness and competitive advantage. Both types of software automation have many advantages and disadvantages. If your company is highly specialized and already has a core competency in software development, building your own CMMS may be a viable option. Before embarking on a project like this, make sure to conduct a thorough cost and benefit analysis. However, for most companies today, it's best to buy an off-the-shelf CMMS. Therefore, as a business owner, it is crucial to consider all potential factors and choose the software that suits your specific needs. You also need to consider how your decision will affect you in the long run.

Manufacturers today face major challenges when trying to address failures caused by a lack of clear reactive, preventive, and predictive maintenance processes. Outdated protocols, such as using paper to maintain facilities, setting up schedule reminders, and using multiple decentralized tools to perform routine maintenance, prevent manufacturers from becoming more efficient. Additionally, inefficient maintenance and asset management lead to increased unplanned manufacturing costs, overtime, extended downtime, and the inability to meet production deadlines. It's time to involve the CMMS to maximize production. What Is A Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)? A computer-aided maintenance management system or CMMS is software that centralizes maintenance-related information and facilitates maintenance operations processes. It helps to optimize the utilization and availability of physical equipment such as vehicles, machines, communications, plant infrastructure, and other assets. CMMS systems are found in manufacturing, oil and gas production, power generation, construction, transportation, and other industries where physical infrastructure is critical. The heart of a CMMS system is its database. It has a data model that organizes information about the assets that a maintenance organization is responsible for maintaining, as well as the equipment, materials, and other resources needed to do so. What Is CMMS Used For? CMMS works by tracking and managing data related to maintenance activities. This data can be used to improve the quality of an organization's services. Using a CMMS has many benefits in manufacturing for maximizing production, including: Improving the quality of service By monitoring and managing data relating to maintenance activities, CMMS can help organizations improve the quality of their services. This improvement in service quality can lead to greater customer satisfaction. Reduced downtime By streamlining and optimizing an organization's maintenance operations, CMMS can help reduce downtime. This reduction in downtime can lead to increased productivity and lower costs. Increased productivity By reducing downtime and improving the quality of a company's services, CMMS can help increase productivity. This increased productivity can lead to increased profits. Reduced maintenance costs By streamlining and optimizing an organization's maintenance operations, CMMS can help reduce maintenance costs. This reduction in costs can lead to increased profits. Accurate Industrial Maintenance Tracking CMMS can help organizations accurately track their maintenance activities. This accurate tracking can help improve decision-making and enable better planning. Asset Visibility Centralized information in the CMMS database allows managers and maintenance teams to almost instantly call up an asset's purchase date, maintenance run date, frequency of failures, parts used, efficiency rates, etc. Workflow Visibility Dashboards and visualizations can be tailored for technicians and other roles to assess status and progress in near real-time. Maintenance teams can quickly find out where an asset is, what it needs, who needs to work on it, and when. Which Sectors Of Activity Use CMMS Tools? The use of CMMS is not limited to any particular industry. Any organization that performs maintenance activities can benefit from using a CMMS. Some of the industries that use CMMS include manufacturing, transportation, and utilities. In these industries, CMMS is used to manage maintenance tasks such as repairing equipment, tracking inventory, and scheduling preventive maintenance. CMMS is used in many other sectors. For example, town halls use technical service management software to optimize technical operations at the municipal level and improve their efficiency. CMMS In Manufacturing In manufacturing, the CMMS not only makes it possible to ensure the maintenance management of all the active equipment in your production chain but also to monitor the maintenance of buildings and networks. The specificity of your industrial site is taken into account by our solutions designed for optimal comfort in the management of your equipment and to constantly improve your industrial performance.  What Are The Expected Benefits? The benefits expected from the integration of a CMMS in manufacturing are multiple, although difficult to quantify because they are often indirect. We can thus cite: Optimization of maintenance and operating costs (labor, spare parts, administrative processing, etc.). Improving equipment reliability and availability. Purchasing optimization (help with calls for tenders, management of contracts with external service providers, etc.). Improved quality of experience feedback thanks in particular to the history of maintenance work. Improving intervention planning. The reduction of corrective operations in favor of prevention. Better control of the activity of subcontractors and external service providers. Optimization of inventory management (better output control, help with inventories, optimization of the rotation rate, etc.). Traceability of equipment, sometimes to meet regulatory constraints. Decision support thanks to the provision of more objective indicators, in particular decisions to renew equipment. Etc. CMMS Is Essential In The Manufacturing The CMMS plays a preponderant role in manufacturing. An example of the food industry turns out to be relevant. The agri-food sector brings together all the industrial activities aimed at transforming raw materials from livestock, fishing, or agriculture into industrial foods. Governed by several strict regulations, the sector is managed by severe standards imposed by the Government. A very small mistake can be devastating to consumer health. A tiny imperfection can thus damage the reputation of the manufacturer and also engage its long-term liability. It is, therefore, necessary to handle the equipment with caution in order to avoid infecting all the production (food). Each maintenance procedure is unique and very specific, but also, the devices admit complex maintenance. It is mandatory that cleanliness and hygiene be exemplary and must in no way cause wear and damage to the devices. They must not be harmful to the staff. To avoid these inconveniences, the plant must set up a maintenance system that continually responds to the environmental conditions in force, to new production constraints, and to changes in standards. This standardization is part of a process that reassures consumers about their fear of intoxication. In order to comply with this regulation imposed by the Government and to meet its challenges, CMMS software is essential. Role Of CMMS In Manufacturing Computer-assisted maintenance management or CMMS is an effective and essential tool for closely monitoring the condition of installations and equipment. It supports all maintenance personnel to maintain production assets in optimal and operational condition. Thus, computer-assisted maintenance management is inevitable for any industrial company. It allows professionals and production agents and technical services, but also the manager of the company to: Discover and be aware of the materials and equipment to be maintained. Benefit from an up-to-date maintenance log for each piece of equipment and allows you to trace their history and costs in relation to their maintenance (preventive, curative, etc.). Concentrate on all administrative, technical, or even financial documentation of equipment and interventions. Schedule periodic maintenance to be carried out on devices and equipment: regulatory checks, quality checks, checks, cleaning, and lubrication. Collect and process requests for intervention from operators: improvements, fixes, repairs, etc. Organize the activities of external maintenance service providers (control offices, manufacturers, subcontractors, etc.) and internal (maintenance technicians). Manage the stock of accessories and spare parts and initiate refueling alarms to prevent stocks from running out. Calculate, examine, and optimize maintenance work: lifespan of devices and equipment, availability, reliability, the responsiveness of the team, savings generated by the maintenance service, costs, and working hours. Deploy A CMMS To Meet The Challenges Maintenance management software not only allows field teams to better organize themselves but also the entire plant to better understand its needs and obtain reliable feedback on the maintenance operations carried out and the costs involved. This is then an opportunity for managers to rethink their strategy. The teams generally apply corrective maintenance (i.e. a maintenance operation on equipment only after it has suffered a malfunction), which nevertheless requires more emergency interventions and interactions between operators. To better deal with the various challenges, it is, therefore, wiser to move towards preventive maintenance, which is easy to set up thanks to a CMMS. A maintenance management solution improves the traceability of operations and spare parts needs. It allows better monitoring of the various procedures and technicians, who gain autonomy: the creation of tasks and activities, maintenance plans, real-time notifications, calendars, and checklists are all features that simplify all processes. The technicians fill in the tool with all the details of the interventions on the machines, which improves the overall knowledge of the breakdowns and gives precise indications of their frequency. Since the teams take a step back from the operations, it is easier to plan them and therefore to prepare them in advance (make an inventory of the necessary tools, for example). What Is Total Productive Maintenance? Equipment failures aren't just inefficient for a production schedule. They are energy-intensive for each of the interdependent members of all the installations within the plant and are a brake on working properly as a team. Therefore, if there is any problem with the equipment fleet, it leads to delays in deliveries, quality problems, financial losses, and, ultimately, it impacts the overall quality of work. Fortunately, digital manufacturing has created unprecedented ways to improve long-standing processes in the industry. There are practices, methods, and tools that empower organizations to reduce such equipment losses while maximizing the efficiency of the production system. Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is one of them. Initially, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) was developed and formalized in Japan before World War II. More specifically, it is a so-called "Lean" approach (the "Lean" approach consists of a strategy aimed at pursuing performance through continuous improvement and the elimination of waste) to improve the manufacturing process by combining the traditional practice of preventive maintenance with total quality by control and total employee involvement. TPM is therefore an organization-wide equipment improvement strategy, which is based on a philosophy comprising 8 pillars, which allows it to achieve a high level of industrial performance. It also differs from preventive maintenance in its participatory approach. Indeed, each member of the organization has a proactive role to play in contributing effectively to this quest for efficiency and quality. Goal of TPM The goal of the TPM is to achieve a zero number of equipment failures. Even if this objective may seem utopias or unattainable, it is above all a question of identifying and eliminating the causes of breakdowns. Finally, to promote the development of an evolutionary state of mind, a corporate and work culture in order to constantly and sustainably improve productivity within production. Total Productive Maintenance engages every member of your organization to minimize all types of losses as it focuses on different targets: failures, incidents, slowdowns, energies, environmental pollution… This strategy helps you detect, expose, and eliminate minor equipment faults, establish and maintain baseline equipment conditions, identify and establish optimal operating conditions, and correct each identified failure.

Introduction CMMS stands for Computerized Maintenance Management System. In the context of fleet management, a CMMS is a software solution that helps track and manage the maintenance and repair activities for a fleet of vehicles. It enables organizations to schedule and log maintenance tasks, monitor vehicle maintenance histories, manage spare parts inventory, and optimize maintenance processes to ensure the reliability and efficiency of their fleet. What is Fleet Management? Fleet management is a comprehensive system and process that involves the planning, monitoring, and control of a company's or organization's vehicles and assets. It encompasses a range of activities, including vehicle acquisition, maintenance, tracking, and optimization of vehicle utilization to maximize efficiency and minimize maintenance costs. Fleet management is crucial for businesses and entities that rely on a fleet of vehicles, as it helps ensure the safety of drivers, compliance with regulations, reduced operational expenses, and improved overall productivity. About CMMS and Fleet Management As freight demand increases, it's more important than ever that fleet vehicles can stay on the road. Today, however, fleet maintenance has become more complex, in part due to advances in vehicle technology, improved connectivity, and environmental initiatives and laws. Fleet maintenance organizations, whether municipal, commercial, or industrial, must have a way to ensure that vehicles receive the maintenance they need at the right time. [cta title="Improve your maintenance activities with WorkTrek CMMS!" text="Book a WorkTrek demo to see how a CMMS can help your business." link="https://login.worktrek.com/Account/Register?_gl=1*fpersd*_ga*MTcwMjE1OTkzNy4xNjU0NTA3NTI2*_ga_8N6446P9LX*MTY3Mzk2ODEzNS4yNi4xLjE2NzM5Njg4MDAuNDguMC4w"] With a CMMS for fleet management, you can automatically schedule preventive maintenance and track vehicle maintenance history. Schedule preventive maintenance based on the manufacturer's recommended intervals, mileage, or usage. Automatic work order notifications notify technicians of upcoming preventive maintenance work so vehicle maintenance can be scheduled in advance. Why use CMMS in Fleet Management? CMMS is used in fleet management for several compelling reasons: Efficient Maintenance Scheduling: CMMS software helps plan and schedule maintenance tasks for vehicles, ensuring that maintenance is performed on time to prevent breakdowns. Reduced Downtime: By proactively managing maintenance tasks, CMMS minimizes unexpected breakdowns and reduces vehicle downtime, maximizing fleet availability and operational efficiency. Compliance and Safety: It assists in monitoring and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations, reducing accidents, fines, and liability issues. Inventory Management: CMMS can effectively manage spare parts inventory, ensuring that the right parts are available when needed and minimizing carrying costs. Enhanced Productivity: Streamlines maintenance processes, reducing administrative tasks and paperwork, and allowing maintenance teams to be more productive. Preventive Maintenance: Automatically generate work orders for preventive maintenance, ensuring that maintenance tasks are not overlooked. How Does CMMS Help Managers and Workers in Fleet Management? CMMS benefits both managers and workers in fleet management in various ways: Benefits for Managers Efficient Maintenance Planning: CMMS helps managers schedule and plan maintenance activities, ensuring that maintenance tasks are organized and performed on time, reducing downtime and unexpected breakdowns. Cost Control: Managers can monitor maintenance costs and make data-driven decisions to optimize budgets and resource allocation, ensuring cost-effectiveness. Inventory Management: CMMS aids in maintaining an organized inventory of spare parts and supplies, reducing downtime, and controlling inventory costs. Performance Tracking: Managers can use CMMS to monitor the performance and reliability of each vehicle in the fleet, identifying underperforming assets and making improvements. Resource Optimization: CMMS helps managers optimize the allocation of maintenance staff, tools, and equipment, ensuring efficiency and productivity. Documentation and Reporting: CMMS maintains comprehensive records of maintenance activities, which are valuable for reporting, analysis, and audit purposes. Benefits for Workers Streamlined Work Orders: CMMS generates and manages work orders, making it easier for workers to access their assigned tasks, understand responsibilities, and complete maintenance or repair work efficiently. Maintenance Scheduling: Workers can rely on CMMS to schedule and prioritize maintenance tasks, ensuring they are performed on time, and reducing unexpected breakdowns and downtime. Access to Information: CMMS provides workers with easy access to essential information, such as maintenance histories, equipment manuals, and safety guidelines, ensuring effective and safe task completion. Inventory Management: CMMS helps workers manage spare parts and supplies efficiently, reducing delays caused by parts shortages. Work Order Documentation: Workers can document their work within the CMMS, recording details about tasks, parts used, and issues identified. This information is valuable for tracking maintenance histories and compliance records. Mobile Access: Many CMMS solutions offer mobile applications, enabling workers to access work orders, update information, and communicate with supervisors or colleagues in the field, enhancing efficiency and responsiveness. Conclusion CMMS for fleet management leads to cost savings, improved safety, and enhanced operational efficiency, ultimately contributing to a reliable fleet. CMMS in fleet management benefits managers by providing tools for efficient maintenance management and cost control and workers by streamlining tasks, providing information, and enhancing safety and productivity. Both managers and workers benefit from the improved organization, data access, and streamlined processes that CMMS offers.

CMMS is a software tool that has its place in all types of companies as soon as they have a fleet of assets, such as large retailers, large manufacturers, or simply companies with substantial premises. A CMMS software solution makes it possible to centralize, organize and plan the maintenance of a company's equipment. Among its missions are for example: Curative and preventive maintenance activity of equipment, Material and inventory management, Planning of maintenance interventions, The management of human resources in relation to the maintenance of equipment, Saving you money… Definition Of Maintenance Management CMMS (Computerized maintenance management system) software solution is an essential element for any organized and functional production. It allows companies to visualize and manage their resources while controlling factors such as time and cost. The CMMS computer system ensures maximum efficiency of the manufacturing process, services, and associated facilities. It is a tool that helps to guarantee a sustainable and satisfactory quality of production, and which in a way, ensures the safety and protection of employees and the environment. Importance Of CMMS Management is an important factor to take into account because it is a guarantee of quality within a company, sometimes going so far as to even determine the success of the latter, regardless of its industry or sector. Poor resource management can cause instability and can partially (or completely) halt production. Malfunctioning or breaking down machines can become a real cost for companies that, through a non-optimal allocation of their resources, lose a lot. These additional costs (which can also occur with new machines) related to repairs, operations, and interventions by technicians or due to preventive management inspections represent a source of instability that the CMMS software can control and counter. What Is A CMMS Used For? A CMMS software solution can help you manage your assets, inventory, and work orders, but how exactly does it work? A good CMMS software package is fully equipped with a wide variety of maintenance activity management features. CMMS systems centralize information about an asset – where it is, what it needs, who worked on it, and when. It makes critical asset management data automated, accessible, and audit-ready. One of the main features of CMMS software is to prevent maintenance. This means that it schedules regular proactive maintenance of assets performance and equipment and sends alerts in order to avoid costly breakdowns and large repairs. It also manages your assets by tracking and monitoring conditions to capture data and prevent outages. Likewise, it manages your work orders by allowing users to open, process, and monitor the status of work order requests. Not only manage assets performance and work orders, but also inventory. This is done by organizing spare parts, materials, and other tools used for maintenance activity operations. Furthermore, the Technician schedules can be controlled directly in the system and specific work orders can be assigned to individual technicians. Last but not least, it provides mobile accessibility. Users can access the system on tablets, smartphones, and other mobile devices. Five Ways CMMS Will Save You Money Do you know that you can save a lot of money by adopting a CMMS solution? Technology is a valuable asset, but it also requires expensive furnishings, tools, shards, and materials. These elements can become difficult to manage if you do it manually, especially if you have to do the whole working process on paper. Believe it or not, you can reduce the amount of hard work and save a lot of money by implementing a CMMS software solution in your business. Here are Five Ways CMMS Will Save You Money: 1. Your equipment is always visible Assisted maintenance activity is essential data, in order to better measure the various information circulating within your company. The impact will be direct, an improvement in productivity, with computer-assisted maintenance. In a very intuitive way, you will be able to manage the maintenance schedule, on all the equipment, without forgetting the inspection. The planning of the interventions will thus be followed by the different directives of the software, it works like an internal calendar where all the equipment is listed, with a history of all the breakdowns from different reports automatically generated. For your part, all you have to do is analyze them conscientiously, according to your different concerns and the different objectives of each team. For a company, this is absolutely essential data to increase productivity, but it is also a reduced workload with the assurance of not forgetting the slightest report. 2. Optimization of equipment life and costs The maintenance management software has the advantage of ensuring excellent traceability and excellent monitoring of all schedules. Whatever the equipment concerned or the machine, he will be perfectly capable of giving you a complete report, on all the intervention planning, as well as the diagnosis of breakdowns. The objective of such a process is to set up intervention times that will be considerably reduced, on equipment that is always optimized, with optimal monitoring. From a financial point of view, this will translate into a considerable reduction in maintenance costs, with teams that will be much better informed and able to get straight to the point. But the advantages of assisted maintenance do not stop there, since you benefit from a very rigorous follow-up, it will be much more obvious to you to maintain in good condition the company equipment. From the moment you take care of the different machines, they will have a much longer life, which will allow you to achieve substantial savings. Thus, the money you have saved can be reinvested in other production sectors, or why not complete your equipment, by buying additional machines? 3. Information that circulates continuously A CMMS simply corresponds to a facilitated interface, where exchanges between the different services will be done instantly. Thanks to advanced features, it is possible to set up very precise settings, using Web technology. A system for sending and exchanging emails with notifications and alerts can be programmed so that the technical teams are informed in real-time of the situation, an intervention in progress, or a security diagnosis. All the information characteristic of the machine will thus be faithfully and securely transcribed, allowing better efficiency for the maintenance teams, who will be able to take care of all the machines. The translation and the impact will be direct for the company, computer-assisted maintenance management will make employees much more functional, but also make machines much more productive. 4. An impact on supply costs Never mind the maintenance range you have selected, the software will take stock management into account and will be automatically configured so that you are notified when restocking is absolutely necessary. Indeed, tools native to the software include automatic control functionalities, via an alarm system. From the moment a stock starts to run out, you will be automatically notified and the software will have the possibility to place an automatic order. This is a cost optimization that is absolutely not negligible, especially when inventory management plays a key role within your business. Thanks to the maintenance management application, you have very powerful computer tools capable of ensuring the maintenance of your devices and very precisely targeting the different parts to be stored. Combined with smart location, you will get a drastic reduction in costs without needing to intervene, it is the software that will do the work for you. 5. Lowering labor costs by increasing efficiencies Any organization's budget includes a significant amount of labor. Appropriate staffing numbers are the first step in personnel management. By ensuring that your staffing levels correspond to the workload and lowering overtime expenses, CMMS software enables you to precisely estimate the labor hours needed for preventive maintenance jobs. When hiring more staff members is more cost-effective than paying your present employees extra overtime, this kind of labor cost analysis can help you decide. Utilizing computerized maintenance management software also enables you to complete tasks that are of the utmost importance while preventing the neglect of less important tasks. Schedules for both employees and contract workers can be automated using work order management tools in CMMS software. What Are The Advantages Of Using A CMMS? All of CMMS features add several big bonuses for your organization such as: Reduces Equipment Downtime: If you perform maintenance correctly and on time, your equipment will need fewer repairs and last longer. Increases Productivity: Technicians stay organized and up-to-date on breakdowns, responsibilities, and maintenance appointment reminders. They can also easily track and manage tools or equipment. Reduced Maintenance Costs: Depending on the information added to the system, maintenance operations are scheduled automatically. Improves Work Order Management: All work orders in the system contain the necessary information and documentation. Increases Equipment Life: Preventive maintenance is performed at an optimal time. Preventive Maintenance: All asset information is stored in a central database. Improves Productivity: Workflow, work orders, and assets are optimally organized. Meets Compliance and Safety Standards: Maintenance standards can be generated in a comprehensive report. ROI CMMS: What Is It And How Is It Calculated? Return on investment is one of the most requested and tracked key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring and evaluating the profitability of CMMS software. The first step is therefore to understand the formula. It is expressed as a percentage and is calculated as follows: ROI = Net Profit (Present value of investment – ​​the cost of investment) / cost of investment x 100 This simple calculation will help you understand the profit or loss that your software investment generates. More specifically, it will help you see more clearly what it saves you over the long term in terms of your maintenance budgets. In addition, the performance of your software is relatively variable, and this is according to several criteria: the number of users, the number of sites, the functional needs of your maintenance department, the options, and the initial support (configuration, training, and developments of specifics). Having a good knowledge of these criteria will not only have a considerable impact on the speed of implementation but also on the return on investment of your CMMS solution. We hope you enjoyed reading Five Ways CMMS Will Save You Money.

Introduction CMMS for municipalities and public works departments are responsible for maintaining key components of the infrastructure that support communities, such as parks, transportation networks, public fleets, health and safety resources, and utilities. Proper maintenance of these assets helps improve the quality of life, commerce, transportation and communications and contributes to economic growth and community development. Regular maintenance is a more cost-effective approach than repairing or replacing equipment that has been neglected for too long. What Is A CMMS? The acronym CMMS stands for Computerized Maintenance Management System. This software package was designed to manage maintenance practices globally, on a strategic, financial, and operational level. Today CMMS for the industrial sector is essential. Much more than simple computer programming, it is an assistant for maintenance teams, the cornerstone of industrial efficiency. What are Municipalities? Municipalities are local administrative units or political subdivisions of a country, typically found at the city or town level. They are responsible for providing various public services and governing a defined geographic area. The specific structure, functions, and responsibilities of municipalities can vary widely from one country to another, and sometimes even within a single country. However, they generally share some common features: Government: Municipalities are a form of local government that operates at a more localized level than regional or national governments. They have the authority to make decisions and regulations that affect the daily lives of residents within their boundaries. Geographic Jurisdiction: Each municipality is assigned a specific geographic area or territory, which can include cities, towns, villages, or other similar localities. The size and population of a municipality can vary greatly. Services: Responsible for providing essential local services, such as water supply, sanitation, waste management, transportation, local law enforcement, and fire protection. They may also oversee urban planning, zoning, and land use regulations. Revenue Generation: Often have the authority to collect taxes, fees, and other revenues to fund local services and infrastructure projects. Community Development: Municipalities may engage in community development initiatives, economic development, and other projects to improve the quality of life in their jurisdiction. It's important to note that the names and specific responsibilities of municipalities can vary from one country to another. In some places, they may be called cities, towns, counties, or other terms. The relationship between municipalities and higher levels of government, such as states or provinces, can also differ depending on the political and administrative structure of the country. What are Public Works? Public works refer to a broad category of projects, services, and physical infrastructure that are provided and maintained by the government at various levels (local, regional, or national) for the benefit of the public. Public works play a crucial role in supporting the functioning of society, ensuring public safety, and promoting economic development. These projects and services can encompass a wide range of areas, including: Transportation: This category includes the construction and maintenance of roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, and public transit systems. Public transportation, such as buses and trains, also falls under this category. Utilities: Departments for Public works often manage utilities like water supply, sewage systems, and wastewater treatment plants. They ensure that communities have access to clean and safe drinking water and handle the treatment and disposal of wastewater. Energy: Can involve energy infrastructure, such as the construction and maintenance of power plants, electrical grids, and other energy distribution systems. Public Buildings: The construction and maintenance of public buildings like government offices, schools, libraries, police stations, fire stations, and community centers fall under this category. Waste Management: They are responsible for the collection, recycling, and disposal of solid waste and the operation of landfills and recycling facilities. Parks and Recreation: Parks, recreational facilities, and green spaces are often developed and maintained by public works departments to provide leisure and recreational opportunities for the community. Infrastructure Maintenance: Regular maintenance and repair of existing infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and public buildings, are essential to ensure their safety and longevity. Public works are typically funded through public budgets, which means they are financed by taxpayers or through government grants and loans. The responsibility for public works can vary from one level of government to another. Why Municipalities and Public Works Should Use CMMS? Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is a software solution designed to help organizations, including municipalities and public works departments, efficiently manage and maintain their assets, facilities, equipment, and infrastructure. There are several compelling reasons why municipalities and public works should consider using CMMS: Streamlined Maintenance Management: CMMS software helps streamline the entire maintenance management process, from scheduling and work order generation to tracking and reporting. This leads to increased efficiency and reduced downtime. Asset Management: Allows municipalities to catalog and track all their assets, such as vehicles, infrastructure, and facilities, making it easier to monitor their condition, manage lifecycle costs, and plan for replacements or upgrades. Preventive Maintenance: Enables the implementation of preventive maintenance programs. By scheduling regular maintenance tasks based on asset usage or time intervals, municipalities can extend the lifespan of their equipment and reduce unexpected breakdowns. Inventory Management: Software can help manage spare parts and supplies inventory more efficiently. It ensures that the right parts are available when needed, reducing downtime and avoiding excessive stockpiling. Work Order Management: CMMS simplifies the creation and tracking of work orders, making it easier to assign tasks, monitor progress, and ensure that maintenance jobs are completed on time. Mobile Access: Many CMMS solutions offer mobile applications, allowing maintenance personnel to access the system while in the field. This real-time access can increase efficiency and responsiveness. Customer Service: For municipalities, CMMS can help improve response times for service requests and enhance overall customer service by efficiently managing citizen-reported issues. Asset Performance Monitoring: CMMS can provide data and analytics to assess the performance of assets and infrastructure, allowing municipalities to make data-driven decisions about repairs, upgrades, or replacements. [cta title="Supercharge your maintenance with WorkTrek CMMS!" text="Book a WorkTrek demo to see how a CMMS can help your business." link="https://login.worktrek.com/Account/Register?_gl=1*fpersd*_ga*MTcwMjE1OTkzNy4xNjU0NTA3NTI2*_ga_8N6446P9LX*MTY3Mzk2ODEzNS4yNi4xLjE2NzM5Njg4MDAuNDguMC4w"] What Problems Can Municipalities and Public Works Face If They Don't Use CMMS? Municipalities and public works departments that do not use a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) may encounter several challenges and problems in their operations. Some of these issues include: Inefficient Maintenance Processes: Without a CMMS, maintenance processes can be manual, paper-based, or ad-hoc, leading to inefficiencies in scheduling, tracking, and performing maintenance tasks. This can result in higher labor and operational costs. Increased Downtime: The lack of preventive maintenance scheduling can lead to unexpected breakdowns and downtime of critical infrastructure and equipment, affecting public services and causing disruption. Asset Mismanagement: Without a centralized system for asset management, municipalities may struggle to keep track of their assets, leading to poor utilization, premature asset failure, and higher replacement costs. Overstocked or Understocked Inventory: Inventory management can be challenging without a CMMS. This can lead to overstocked parts, tying up capital, or understocked parts, causing delays in repairs and maintenance. Communication Challenges: Communication among maintenance teams, departments, and contractors may suffer, leading to delays in response times and less effective collaboration. Difficulty in Long-Term Planning: Municipalities may find it challenging to plan for the long-term maintenance and replacement of infrastructure and assets without access to historical maintenance data and asset performance information. Conclusion Municipalities and public works departments that do not utilize a CMMS may face a host of operational, financial, and regulatory challenges. The implementation of a CMMS can help overcome these issues by providing a structured and efficient system for maintenance management, asset tracking, and data-driven decision-making.

Introduction Companies seeking CMMS software or computerized maintenance management systems may face some important decisions. This type of business resource is extremely valuable and can save a lot of time, effort, and money. One of the most important decisions you should make when choosing a CMMS system is whether to choose a proprietary licensed product or CMMS open-source software. What is an Open-Source CMMS? Open-Source CMMS stands for "Open-Source Computerized Maintenance Management System." It is a software system designed to help organizations manage and maintain their assets, equipment, and facilities efficiently. The term "open-source" indicates that the software's source code is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute, usually under open-source licenses like the GNU General Public License. Open-source software differs from proprietary software in many ways. The name comes from the fact that, unlike proprietary software, the source code is open or can be modified by the user. According to opensource.org, to be officially considered open-source, a program must meet the following ten open-source requirements: Free distribution Source code Derivative works Integrity of the author's source code No discrimination against individuals or groups No discrimination between areas of activity In principle, open-source CMMS software does not require a company license. This means that the company no longer has to bear the high costs of research and development undertaken by another company. This also means that it is versatile and can be customized by each user to suit their individual needs. Instead of ordering the software immediately or even through the vendor's portal, open-source software users can access public software repositories to obtain open-source products. Open-source maintenance management software can be set up by users themselves, often with little or no support. A simple example of closed source vs. open source is Microsoft Word and OpenOffice - these products are very similar word processors, but one is proprietary and very restricted and the other is open source and free. Free vs. Open-Source CMMS Some open-source maintenance software is free, but not all: free and open-source are not the same thing, although they are used interchangeably in some areas. Open-source software also comes with many different types of licenses, which determine the price, use, and redistribution of the program. Even software labeled "free" doesn't necessarily mean free - it can also refer to freedom of use and customization. Here's a comparison of open-source CMMS and free CMMS, highlighting the key differences: Open-Source CMMS: Source Code Access: Open-source CMMS provides access to the source code, allowing users to view, modify, and redistribute it. This offers a high degree of customization. License Flexibility: CMMS software typically comes with open-source licenses, such as the GNU General Public License (GPL), which may have certain conditions for modification and redistribution. Community Support: These systems often have active communities of developers and users who contribute to ongoing development, provide support, and share insights. Cost: Open CMMS may or may not come with a price tag. It can be free or involve associated costs for customization, support, or additional features. Customization: Users can customize open-source CMMS to align with their specific maintenance needs and integrate it with other systems. Vendor Independence: Organizations are not locked into a single vendor, giving them more control and flexibility over the software's usage, updates, and support. Transparency: The source code's transparency allows users to verify security, inspect the code, and adapt the software to their requirements. Free CMMS: No Cost: Free CMMS software is entirely cost-free, with no associated licensing fees, customization costs, or ongoing fees for basic features. Limited Customization: CMMS software usually has limited or no customization options and users cannot access or modify the source code. Limited Support: Free CMMS solutions might offer limited or no official technical support or community support, potentially leaving users to rely on their own resources. Feature Set: CMMS solutions may offer a basic set of features for maintenance management but might lack some advanced capabilities found in paid solutions. Similarities: Both free software and open-source software provide access to the source code, allowing users to modify and improve the software. Both types of software often rely on a community of users and developers to provide support and contribute to the development of the software. Free software and open-source software are typically distributed under open licenses, which allow users to use, modify, and distribute the software without restrictions. In summary, the primary difference is that open-source CMMS provides access to the source code, offering extensive customization and flexibility, while free CMMS software is cost-free but typically comes with limitations in terms of customization and support. The Pros of Open-Source CMMS Open-source CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) offers several advantages, making it an attractive choice for organizations looking to manage maintenance and assets efficiently. Here are the key advantages: Cost-Effective: Open-source CMMS is typically free to use or available at a lower cost compared to proprietary CMMS solutions, reducing overall expenses. Customization: Users can modify the software to meet their specific maintenance needs. This flexibility allows organizations to adapt the system to their unique processes and requirements. Community Collaboration: The open-source community can contribute to the development and improvement of the software. This collective effort often results in rapid bug fixes and feature enhancements. Community Support: Many open-source projects have active communities that provide support, documentation, and forums where users can seek help and share best practices. License Flexibility: Organizations have the freedom to choose from various open-source licenses to align with their specific legal and usage requirements. ·  Comprehensive Features: Many open-source CMMS solutions offer a wide range of features for asset management, work order tracking, preventive maintenance, and reporting. Best CMMS platforms can be valuable tools for organizations of all sizes and industries, allowing them to efficiently manage maintenance activities, track assets, and ensure the smooth operation of equipment and facilities. [cta title="Supercharge your maintenance with WorkTrek CMMS!" text="Book a WorkTrek demo to see how a CMMS can help your business." link="https://login.worktrek.com/Account/Register?_gl=1*fpersd*_ga*MTcwMjE1OTkzNy4xNjU0NTA3NTI2*_ga_8N6446P9LX*MTY3Mzk2ODEzNS4yNi4xLjE2NzM5Njg4MDAuNDguMC4w"] The Cons of Open-Source CMMS While open-source CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) offers many advantages, it's important to be aware of the potential disadvantages and challenges associated with using open-source software in this context. Here are some of the cons of open-source CMMS: Lack of Official Support: Open-source CMMS solutions may not come with the same level of official technical support as proprietary alternatives. While there may be community support, it might not be as comprehensive or responsive. Customization and Maintenance: While customization is an advantage, it can also be a disadvantage. Organizations may need in-house technical expertise or external developers to adapt the software to their specific needs and maintain these customizations over time. Limited Vendor Accountability: In the event of issues or disputes, there may be a lack of accountability as open-source projects are often maintained by volunteer contributors or organizations that may not be legally responsible for the software's performance. Hidden Costs: While open-source CMMS software itself may be free, organizations may incur costs for customization, support, maintenance, and ongoing development, which can add up over time. User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX): Some open-source CMMS solutions may not offer the same level of user-friendly interfaces or features as proprietary options, which can affect user adoption and satisfaction. Before choosing an open-source CMMS, organizations should carefully assess their specific needs, available technical resources, and the level of community support and development activity surrounding the chosen software. Conclusion An open-source CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) is maintenance management software with freely accessible source code, allowing users to view, modify, and distribute it. It offers high customization, community support, and flexibility, but may require technical expertise for setup and maintenance. As with any type of CMMS, open-source systems have many advantages and disadvantages. The main advantages are price, versatility, and customization. Disadvantages include a lack of support, a less user-friendly interface, and the need for self-employment to meet IT needs.