Once you have successfully implemented computerized maintenance management software (CMMS), your organization will quickly begin to see the benefits of this system on your operations and your bottom line. The management team will look to expand its influence in new ways within the company. However, expansion without a clear purpose or function will only serve to create confusion, so it’s important to approach this expansion carefully. There are three key opportunities to advance or expand usage of CMMS software:
- Employ mobile applications. Many companies are already utilizing smartphones and tablets in the field. If you haven’t considered mobile CMMS, however, you’re missing out on a valuable opportunity to increase productivity. By taking advantage of mobile technology, your technicians can provide real-time updates to maintenance activities. They’ll also be able to take advantage of time-saving processes such as barcode scanning, which reduces the need for manual input.
- Expand to new sites. If your company has multiple sites or adds new locations, there is an opportunity to expand maintenance management software. Many reputable CMMS/EAM vendors provide scalable software, meaning it can easily be rolled out from one location to others.
- Integrate with new or existing software. While utilizing CMMS software is profoundly helpful, imagine the benefits of integrating with your ERP system or accounting software. Integrating condition monitoring with CMMS is a huge advantage as well. Doing so provides a method of creating actionable tasks needed to correct problems detected by sensors and other condition monitoring technology. Streamlining communication from one software program to another can be a game-changer in terms of efficiency.
Preparing to Expand Maintenance Management Software
When a company decides to expand usage of CMMS software, it can feel similar to an initial implementation in many ways. There are several steps you should take to ensure a successful expansion:
- Obtain key stakeholder buy-in. Without executive support, any initiative is far more likely to fail. It is vital to engage and secure the vocal support of key stakeholders in this expansion effort.
- Provide individualized training. With the expansion, several things will shift. Varying levels of employees will have access to CMMS software, and their respective roles and tasks may change. Targeted, individualized training for each employee level is critical before an expansion takes place.
- Create a road map. Any implementation or expansion can be a complex process. It’s one in which multiple individuals are responsible for completing disparate tasks independently, yet within specified timelines, to fulfill a common goal. In order to ensure that all parties complete their assigned tasks correctly and in a timely manner, consider developing a cross-functional team of stakeholders. This team’s single purpose should be to curate a detailed work plan to guide the expansion.
DPSI provides maintenance management software for many industries including manufacturers, facilities, fleets, government agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions and more. Since 1986, we’ve served over 6,000 companies and 50,000 users in over 50 countries, including more than 400 of the Fortune 500 companies. iMaint, our enterprise asset management system, is a popular software choice that’s easy for staff to learn and use. Fortunately, iMaint is also a completely scalable and customizable solution. Additionally, our professional services team can provide assistance to ensure a successful CMMS implementation or expansion. Contact us for more information or request a free trial today!
