The power of CMMS
Published: 17 April, 2023
Donal Bourke, Sales Director, PEMAC explains how CMMS software can support preventive maintenance strategies within manufacturing organisations.
Preventive maintenance is a critical aspect of any manufacturing organisation. By keeping equipment and machinery in top condition, organisations can avoid costly breakdowns, increase productivity, and reduce downtime. Preventive maintenance is a strategy designed to extend the life of an asset by identifying potential issues before they become major problems. This involves conducting regular inspections, performing routine maintenance, and making repairs, as necessary.
In addition to reducing downtime and increasing productivity, a well-executed preventive maintenance program can also contribute to the safety of the workplace. When equipment is not properly maintained, it can create hazardous conditions for employees, resulting in accidents and injuries. Preventive maintenance ensures that equipment is regularly inspected and maintained, minimising the risk of workplace accidents, and keeping employees safe.
Implementing a preventive maintenance program can also improve the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process. When machines are functioning optimally, production can run smoothly and at a faster pace. This can lead to increased output and profitability for the organisation.
One of the most effective ways to implement a preventive maintenance program is by using computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) software. Implementing a Preventive maintenance programme with the help of CMMS software can provide numerous benefits to manufacturing organisations, ranging from increased safety to improved efficiency and profitability. In this article, we will discuss how CMMS software supports manufacturing organisations with their Preventive maintenance strategies.
What is CMMS Software?
CMMS software is a computerised system that assists maintenance teams in managing and tracking maintenance activities, equipment inventory, and work orders. It provides an easyto-use interface for maintenance personnel to track equipment history, schedule maintenance tasks, and create work orders. Additionally, it can integrate with other business systems, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and manufacturing execution systems (MES), to ensure a seamless flow of information across the organisation.
How CMMS software supports preventive maintenance strategies
Equipment Maintenance Tracking: Real-time tracking of equipment maintenance history is critical for effective Preventive maintenance strategies. CMMS software allows maintenance teams to track equipment usage, monitor maintenance task frequency, and identify failure patterns. By analysing this information, maintenance teams can determine the optimal time for preventive maintenance tasks and avoid unexpected equipment breakdowns.
Work order management: CMMS software streamlines the work order management process by automating creating, scheduling, and tracking of work orders. It allows maintenance teams to schedule and assign tasks to the appropriate personnel. Additionally, it provides real-time visibility of work orders, allowing teams to prioritise tasks and allocate resources effectively.
Asset management: CMMS software provides a centralised location to manage all assets, including equipment, inventory, and spare parts. It allows maintenance teams to track the usage of equipment and identify the need for replacement or repair. Additionally, it provides real-time visibility of inventory levels, ensuring that spare parts are available when needed, reducing downtime, and increasing productivity.
Predictive maintenance: By analysing equipment data, such as vibration and temperature readings CMMS software can provide predictive maintenance capabilities. The software can detect early warning signs of equipment failure and generate alerts, allowing maintenance teams to take proactive measures to prevent equipment breakdowns.
Reporting and analytics: CMMS software provides advanced reporting and analytics capabilities that enable maintenance teams to identify trends and make informed decisions. It allows teams to track KPIs, such as equipment downtime, maintenance costs, and asset utilisation, and generate reports that provide actionable insights. By implementing an effective preventive maintenance program using a CMMS, organisations can extend the life of their assets, reducing the need for deferred capital replacement
Benefits of CMMS software for preventive maintenance
CMMS software can also provide several advantages and benefits for manufacturing organisations looking to improve their preventive maintenance strategies. The following are some of the key benefits which can be realised by organisations when using CMMS software in conjunction with their preventive maintenance strategies:
Increased equipment availability: Real-time visibility of equipment maintenance history, allowing maintenance teams to schedule preventive maintenance tasks at the optimal time. This ensures that equipment is available when needed, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.
Reduced maintenance costs: CMMS software enables maintenance teams to track equipment usage and identify the need for replacement or repair. This ensures that maintenance tasks are performed only when necessary, reducing maintenance costs and increasing the lifespan of the equipment.
Improved safety: Real-time tracking of equipment maintenance history, enabling maintenance teams to identify potential safety hazards. By addressing these hazards proactively, organisations can reduce the risk of accidents and improve workplace safety.
Improved communication and collaboration: Communication and collaboration can be improved between maintenance teams and other departments within the organisation. By integrating with other business systems, such as ERP and MES, CMMS software can provide a single source of truth for equipment maintenance and work orders. This can help to reduce miscommunications and ensure that all stakeholders have access to up-to-date information.
Streamline processes and real-time visibility: The procurement process for spare parts and equipment can be streamlined by CMMS software. By providing real-time visibility of inventory levels and usage, maintenance teams can make informed decisions about when to order replacement parts and equipment. This can help to reduce lead times and ensure that spare parts are available when needed, reducing downtime, and improving productivity
Accuracy and completeness of records supporting enhanced regulatory compliance: CMMS software enables organisations to track equipment maintenance history, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. It can help to improve the accuracy and completeness of equipment maintenance records. By automating the tracking of maintenance tasks and equipment usage, maintenance teams can ensure that all maintenance activities are recorded accurately and consistently. This can help to provide a comprehensive audit trail of equipment maintenance history, which can be useful for regulatory compliance, warranty claims and insurance purposes. It allows organisations to generate reports that provide evidence of compliance, reducing the risk of regulatory fines and penalties.
Conclusion
Preventive maintenance is critical for any manufacturing organisation to avoid costly breakdowns, increase productivity, and reduce downtime. In today’s highly competitive manufacturing landscape, implementing a successful preventive maintenance program is more crucial than ever. By leveraging the capabilities of CMMS software, organisations can gain a competitive advantage by increasing their equipment uptime and reliability, minimising the risk of equipment failure while reducing maintenance costs improving safety and enhancing compliance.
Overall, CMMS software provides a powerful tool for manufacturing organisations looking to improve their preventive maintenance strategies. CMMS software provides a comprehensive solution for managing and tracking preventive maintenance tasks, enabling organisations to implement an effective preventive maintenance programme. With these benefits in mind, it’s clear that preventive maintenance is not just a “nice to have” for manufacturing organisations - it’s a must-have. By investing in CMMS software and implementing a robust preventive maintenance programme, manufacturing organisations can position themselves for long-term success and growth
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