Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
A CMMS is also known as Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and is software whose purpose is to ease the process of maintenance management (Durán, 2011). The system schedules and records operation together with planned maintenance activities for equipment in a facility. The system can also generate and prioritize the work that staff should carry out to enhance trouble calls and also periodic maintenance of equipmentdown (Duffuaa&Raouf, 2015). Information is loaded into the database upon the completion of the activity, and it can be used for tracking and supporting future endeavors.
The use of computerized maintenance management systems has very many advantages which prompt all facilities to employ such systems. The system is capable of planning and scheduling preventive maintenance such that there is an evasion of maintenance problems and costly repairs. It is also an efficient way of managing orders as it allows an individual to schedule, assign and close work orders not only quickly but also easilydown (Duffuaa&Raouf, 2015). CMMS enhances the management of spare parts inventory by facilitating tracking of assets that need maintenance, automating reordering of spares which ensures that the right spare parts are always available.
CMMS eliminates paperwork and clipboard since information is automatically captured by the software. They also enhance productivity since the software can be linked to mobile devices allowing the access to real time information, checking inventory and starting work orders without necessarily having to check from the office. CMMS reduces downtime and repair costs due to planned preventive maintenance since equipment are maintained regularly minimizing their chances of breaking down (Duffuaa&Raouf, 2015). Safety is also increased with the use of CMMS systems through prevention of malfunction and critical failures which can cause accidents.
References
Duffuaa, S. O., &Raouf, A. (2015).Computerized Maintenance Management Systems. In Planning and Control of Maintenance Systems (pp. 223-243). Springer International Publishing.
Durán, O. (2011). Computer-aided maintenance management systems selection based on a fuzzy AHP approach. Advances in Engineering Software, 42(10), 821-829.
