What is CMMS Software? Definition, Benefits, How it Works.

We dive into the inner dealings of CMMS software. Here, you'll learn about what it is, how it benefits you, and how it will work in your company.
The FieldEx Team
December 19, 2024
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What is a Computerized Maintenance Management System?

A Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) automates and simplifies maintenance tasks. By centralizing maintenance information, businesses can track work orders, schedule preventive maintenance, manage inventory, and monitor asset performance. CMMS software minimizes downtime, boosts productivity, and increases the lifespan of essential equipment.

What’s more, many CMMS platforms integrate with IoT devices to give real-time data on how assets are performing. This integration enables a shift from reactive to predictive maintenance within organizations, resulting in substantial cost savings and reduced unplanned downtime.

CMMS systems can be adjusted to fit the needs of various industries. For example, a small manufacturing company might use a CMMS to optimize preventive maintenance for a few critical machines, while a global enterprise might integrate it with IoT and ERP systems to manage facilities worldwide.

What CMMS does?

A CMMS automates tasks like work order creation, asset tracking, and inventory management, streamlining maintenance processes. The goal is to enhance efficiency, minimize equipment malfunctions, and provide actionable data for maintenance.

Because they maintain records and produce detailed reports for audits, CMMS systems are highly effective tools for ensuring regulatory compliance. They’re also vital for organizations wanting to maximize the lifespan of key assets.

In highly regulated sectors, such as healthcare and aviation, the detailed, time-stamped records provided by CMMS systems are crucial for inspections and audits.

How can a CMMS help your business?

Implementing a CMMS offers several advantages:

  • Increased Productivity: Teams can manage maintenance tasks more efficiently, leading to a 28.3%* productivity boost on average.
  • Reduced Downtime: Equipment downtime can decrease by 20.1%* with proactive scheduling.
  • Cost Savings: Organizations often see material cost savings of up to 19.4%*.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Maintains accurate records for audits and ensures compliance with industry standards.
  • Improved Asset Lifespan: Preventive maintenance schedules extend equipment longevity.
  • Enhanced Decision-Making: Real-time data and analytics support better resource allocation and planning.

Industries like energy production, highly susceptible to revenue loss and customer dissatisfaction from unplanned downtime, will find these benefits particularly valuable.

*Numbers above taken from a survey by A.T. Kearney and Industry Week.

How CMMS looks like

What are the features of CMMS maintenance software?

Mobile-Responsive

Mobile access on CMMS platforms lets technicians update work orders and access data anytime, anywhere.

Mobile responsiveness lets field teams do asset inspections, inventory checks, and maintenance updates without going back to the office, making them more efficient.

Easy to Integrate

Today’s CMMS software integrates smoothly with existing ERP and IoT systems for efficient workflows.

The system integrates with Building Management Systems (BMS), financial software, and machine sensors, streamlining workflows across all departments.

Intuitive Navigation

Simple, intuitive designs make it easy for users to get started and reduce training time.

A simple and intuitive interface makes the CMMS easy for anyone to use, thus minimizing errors and speeding up adoption, even amongst non-technical personnel.

System Security

CMMS software protects sensitive data with strong security features, such as encryption and role-based access control.

Modern CMMS platforms also typically meet data protection regulations, including GDPR and ISO 27001, thus ensuring your organization’s data security.

Straightforward Migrations

The best CMMS platforms facilitate smooth data transitions from legacy systems with little interruption to operations.

To avoid data loss during migration, services often incorporate historical maintenance records into the new system’s architecture.

Vendor Support

Many vendors provide full support services, encompassing implementation, training, and long-term assistance.

Top vendors also offer dedicated account managers, regular system updates, and 24/7 technical support for critical issues.

Full Work Order Visibility

With a CMMS, you can meticulously track work orders, start to finish, guaranteeing accountability. User-friendly dashboards on platforms such as FieldEx improve transparency, making task management easier for managers.

Managers can see technician performance metrics, which helps them find areas for improvement and better assign tasks.

Automations

The automation of notifications, scheduling, and task assignments reduces manual effort and the potential for errors. FieldEx’s preventive maintenance feature helps to avoid missed tasks by simplifying the scheduling of recurring maintenance.

Automation features also include inventory alerts, compliance reminders, and recurring task scheduling.

Full-Feature Reporting

The full-featured reporting system provides detailed data on maintenance, costs, and asset performance to improve decision-making.

With customizable dashboards and predictive analytics, advanced reporting enables organizations to expect maintenance needs and optimize resource allocation.

Records for Audit Preparedness

Meticulous maintenance records ensure regulatory compliance and smooth audits.

Because every maintenance task is logged in comprehensive audit trails, compliance is simplified for industries with stringent regulations.

What is the best CMMS software?

The “best” CMMS depends on your organization’s needs. Top-rated options include:

  • FieldEx: Notable for its robust preventive maintenance features and user-friendly dashboards, making it an excellent choice for organizations seeking to enhance operational efficiency.
  • IBM Maximo: Known for its ability to handle complex maintenance operations, IBM Maximo offers extensive asset management capabilities and scalability for large enterprises.
  • Fiix: Praised for its ease of use, Fiix provides robust mobile functionality and flexible integration options to meet diverse operational needs.
  • eMaint: Specializes in detailed reporting and advanced asset tracking tools, making it a versatile choice for organizations focused on data-driven decision-making.

Other noteworthy options include UpKeep, which focuses on mobile-first solutions for small to mid-sized businesses, and Limble CMMS, recognized for its user-friendly interface and customizable workflows.

CMMS software pricing calculator

Many CMMS vendors provide pricing calculators on their websites. These tools allow you to input your team size, required features, and other variables to receive a customized estimate.

Pricing calculators often include tiered options based on the complexity of features, providing transparency and flexibility for budget planning, like how we do it with our pricing.

What should I look for in modern CMMS maintenance software?

AI-Powered Capabilities

By analyzing data, AI can predict and prevent equipment failures before they happen. Using predictive analytics to expect equipment failures allows businesses to perform preventative maintenance, thus avoiding costly disruptions.

A Strong Vendor Relationship

You can count on a reliable vendor for seamless implementation, comprehensive training, and continued support. Search for vendors offering scalable, regularly updated solutions with thorough documentation to support your team.

Cloud Based CMMS

With cloud solutions, you get flexibility, remote access, and automatic updates, avoiding substantial upfront IT investment. Cloud systems are perfect for companies with multiple locations because they allow for multi-site management.

Customized Capabilities

It’s crucial to adapt workflows, reporting, and dashboards to meet your organization’s specific needs. Because it’s customizable, the CMMS fits your operations instead of the other way around.

What are the benefits of CMMS maintenance software?

Replace Disparate Systems

Combines various tools and spreadsheets into one platform. By centralizing data, you eliminate data silos, which promote better collaboration among departments and establish a single, accurate source for maintenance data.

Simplify Team Management

Helps assign tasks, track progress, and coordinate teams. By tracking technician availability and performance in real time, tasks are assigned efficiently, thus preventing delays.

Decrease Maintenance Cost

By ptimizing schedules and allocating resources effectively, you can avoid unnecessary expenses. Prioritizing preventative maintenance over reactive repairs saves organizations money on both regular and emergency fixes.

Increase Operational Efficiency

Simplifies maintenance and reduces downtime. CMMS streamlines workflows by automating repetitive tasks and facilitating communication, leading to higher productivity.

Consolidate Data

Centralized data storage simplifies maintenance data access for analysis and reporting. Having all maintenance records together lets managers easily identify patterns, such as repeated equipment breakdowns, and deal with the underlying causes.

Maximize Safety

Equipment failures are less likely with regular maintenance, leading to a safer workplace. Automated reminders and inspection checklists help ensure that all equipment meets safety regulations.

Increase Inventory Accuracy

Tracking inventory in real time reduces waste and keeps parts readily available. By preventing overstocking, inventory modules reduce storage expenses and maintain a ready supply of crucial components.

Simplify Work Order Management

Automating work orders improves task prioritization and tracking. Managers get a clear picture of task progress because technicians update work order statuses in real time.

Improve Asset Reliability

By proactively maintaining assets, you increase their lifespan and reduce downtime. Reliable resources lead to better performance, increased productivity, and happier customers.

How CMMS Preventive Maintenance Works

Below, we show you how it works on our app. If you want a full tour or demo, head to this page and we'll be more than glad to help you along.

In the app, head to the Assets screen, then go to Maintenance Schedule tab, as highlighted above.

Next, you'll need to create new a Maintenance Schedule for your asset. Proceed to pick an option from the Maintenance Template section to setup the reminder timeline.

After that's done, you can see your asset upcoming maintenance schedule in the Preventive Maintenance tab, which will automatically generate the Job Orders for your technicians. And that's it!

How can you get a ROI from your CMMS software?

  • Optimize maintenance schedules to reduce downtime. For example, tools like FieldEx excel in providing clear preventive maintenance schedules that help avoid unplanned repairs.
  • Use analytics to cut costs by improving resource allocation.
  • Automate workflows to minimize labor-intensive tasks.
  • Monitor KPIs like Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) to track performance improvements.

To maximize ROI, ensure your team is fully trained on the software and use it to its full potential, from preventive maintenance scheduling to detailed reporting.

CMMS Statistics

What’s the difference between a CMMS and EAM?

  • A CMMS focuses on maintenance management, tracking work orders, and scheduling preventive maintenance.
  • An EAM (Enterprise Asset Management) covers the entire lifecycle of assets, including procurement, operation, and disposal.
  • EAM systems are broader and include CMMS functionalities as a subset.

Large companies with many assets often prefer EAM systems, whereas CMMS is better suited for organizations prioritizing maintenance.

What industries should use a CMMS?

  • Manufacturing: Maintain production equipment to prevent costly downtime.
  • Healthcare: Ensure medical devices function reliably.
  • Facilities Management: Manage infrastructure such as HVAC and plumbing.
  • Education: Keep campus facilities operational and safe.
  • Government: Maintain public assets like roadways and utilities.
  • Hospitality: Guarantee guest satisfaction through well-maintained facilities.

The expanding infrastructure of emerging sectors, such as renewable energy and data centers, is leading to greater adoption of CMMS systems.

Frequently asked CMMS software questions (FAQ)

Why is CMMS maintenance software important?

It improves productivity, reduces costs, and ensures asset reliability through proactive maintenance.

What is a CMMS administrator?

A professional responsible for configuring and managing CMMS software within an organization.

How much does CMMS software cost?

Pricing typically ranges from $50 to $200 per user per month for cloud-based solutions. FieldEx offers services at $25 per user right out of the box.

What is CMMS maintenance software training?

Training covers system navigation, data entry, reporting, and workflow customization to ensure users maximize the software’s potential.

What systems can a CMMS replace?

Paper-based systems, spreadsheets, and standalone tools for inventory or scheduling.

Why is uptime so important?

High uptime ensures operational efficiency, cost savings, and uninterrupted productivity.

What are the most important considerations when selecting a CMMS?

Scalability, ease of use, integration capabilities, vendor support, and cost.

What should I know about the push to SaaS?

SaaS-based CMMS solutions offer flexibility, scalability, and lower upfront costs but require reliable internet access.

What is the difference between ERP and CMMS?

ERP systems manage entire business operations, while CMMS focuses specifically on maintenance.

What is an example of a CMMS system?

Examples include Fiix, eMaint, IBM Maximo, and Limble CMMS. FieldEx has a CMMS system built in its FSM software.

What are the types of CMMS?

On-premise and cloud-based CMMS solutions are the primary types available.

What does CMMS stand for in maintenance?

Computerized Maintenance Management System.

What is the purpose of CMMS maintenance software?

Its purpose is to streamline maintenance processes, reduce downtime, and improve asset reliability.

Maintenance related articles for you to read

  1. CMMS Certification: Unlocking the Potential of Maintenance Management
  2. The Role of Preventive Maintenance in Equipment Rentals
  3. Best Practices for Equipment Maintenance in Rental Businesses
  4. Implementing Predictive Maintenance in Manufacturing: Best Practices
  5. How Predictive Maintenance Reduces Downtime

Author for this article:

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Written by

The FieldEx Team

FieldEx is a B2B field service management software designed to streamline operations, scheduling, and tracking for industries like equipment rental, facilities management, and EV charging, helping businesses improve efficiency and service delivery.

Complex operations simplified with one software.

No paperwork. No spreadsheets. No blindspots. Just one solution that simplifies your field service operations.
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