Successfully implementing computerized maintenance management software requires a sizable investment, time for implementation and training, and ongoing effort to ensure that it functions optimally. Given the human and financial capital required to implement and maintain CMMS software, every organization wants to see it utilized to its full capacity. The following guidelines for maximizing the value of your data will help you achieve the best CMMS software productivity.
CMMS Software Productivity Only as Good as the Data it Captures
Collecting the right data is fundamental to achieving optimal CMMS software productivity. Most CMMS benefits are directly related to the automation of previously manual processes and the ability to review and report on real-time information in order to allow the stakeholders of the company to make the most informed decisions. Both automation and real-time information will be limited if the data captured in the maintenance software is not exhaustive.
You can’t benefit from CMMS software if the asset information you’re capturing isn’t accurate, consistent, and complete. You need to enter complete and accurate data into your CMMS if you want to receive useful information from it. An important part of the implementation process is to detail all of the data points that could at some point be useful to capture for reporting or automation purposes.
It’s important to physically inspect your facility’s assets to establish the foundation for a successful maintenance program. Equipment and system components should be recorded with enough detail so that maintenance and repair needs can be met.
Set standards for naming conventions, formats, and hierarchal structures and follow them. Maintenance technicians should be fully trained to use the CMMS and fill in as much data as possible when they complete a work order so that useful data can be extracted later. A work order should reveal what steps were taken, which maintenance technician performed the job, which tools were used, and how long the job took to complete.
Maintain Data Integrity
Maintain data integrity by updating data on a regular basis. When changes to people, procedures, or equipment occur, the system needs to be updated and reconciled. If the data in your CMMS cannot be trusted, procedures will be ignored and you will fall short of your maintenance and reliability goals.
Define Your Maintenance Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
In order to achieve reliability excellence, it’s vital to outline your organization’s maintenance objectives. You can use these KPIs to track performance in various areas over time and indicate whether your organization is operating at acceptable levels. Business intelligence reports can be used to evaluate KPIs and analyze maintenance activities.
Computerized maintenance management software is extraordinarily powerful and can help you transform a costly, reactive maintenance operation into an efficient, cost-effective one. Unfortunately, most organizations fail to realize the full potential of their computerized maintenance management systems. The reasons vary, but they often involve inaccurate, incomplete, and inconsistent data. Great data is the foundation of a successful CMMS software productivity.
DPSI’s iMaint software captures information automatically and helps you enforce consistency when users enter information. You can also rename fields and labels to meet your organization’s specific needs. In addition, we offer an easy-to-read dashboard option for iMaint to enable maintenance managers to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) in real-time. To learn more about iMaint, its features and options, please contact DPSI today and set up a free trial.
