Understanding the Importance of Maintenance in Manufacturing
Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software allows a manufacturing company to manage maintenance operations from a centralized platform. CMMS software can manage work order submissions, inventory controls, and preventive maintenance strategies.
CMMS software takes a data-driven approach to maintenance management, collecting data on maintenance processes and transforming it into valuable insights. These insights allow manufacturing companies to improve workflows that decrease maintenance costs while increasing operational efficiency.
Role of Maintenance in Product Quality and Safety
Effective maintenance management is a key factor in the process of producing a high-quality final product. Having reliable equipment that will consistently perform at a high level will produce uniform final products of the same quality. In order to keep equipment running, routine and preventive maintenance is essential to ensure there are no unexpected breakdowns or issues.
Maintenance also plays a role in employee safety, as a well-maintained machine is less likely to malfunction in the middle of operations. Malfunctioning equipment is a risk for nearby employees, as parts could break off or send the product materials into the employee’s path. By performing regular maintenance on the equipment, employees are less likely to be injured amid breakdowns and complications.
The Cost of Poor Maintenance in Manufacturing
The typical costs associated with maintenance operations include labor, materials, and tools. However, if maintenance is not a priority for a manufacturing company, it can result in costly breakdowns. Instead of paying for preventive maintenance, which is a planned expense that will extend the equipment’s lifespan, a company will be paying for rush orders on materials or even new equipment.
By focusing on preventive maintenance efforts, manufacturing companies can reduce maintenance costs, extend the lifespan of equipment, and minimize the risk of downtime.
Introduction to CMMS Software
Computerized maintenance management systems are versatile in the features and workflows they provide, depending on the software development company. After reviewing the role of CMMS software in a manufacturing company’s operations, let’s review some of the common features of the software and how companies can benefit from it.
Features of CMMS Software
Asset Maintenance Schedules
One aspect of maintenance management that can be facilitated in a CMMS system is the ability to manage maintenance scheduling. By creating a maintenance schedule for work orders and preventive maintenance, managers can ensure they have the necessary employees scheduled and are aware of what tasks need to be completed. When teams have a clear understanding of when and what maintenance tasks are on the schedule, manufacturing companies can improve overall maintenance efficiency.
Inventory Management
Inventory management is an essential tool for manufacturing companies as it allows them to have better control over their current stock levels with access to real-time data. A CMMS software solution will typically include notifications that notify specific users when inventory levels meet a defined threshold, allowing manufacturers to restock ahead of time. Maintenance activities can be delayed without proper inventory management, as maintenance teams cannot complete their work without the correct materials.
Preventive Maintenance
Manufacturing companies will complete preventive maintenance to keep assets and equipment in good condition, reducing the risk of costly breakdowns and the resulting downtime. Preventive maintenance scheduling can be completed alongside routine maintenance tasks to ensure there is no overlap. Taking a preventive approach to optimize maintenance operations will increase efficiency and equipment performance while reducing the overall cost.
Reporting and Analytics Features
In order for a CMMS software solution to have these features, the system must track and analyze data on the back end. Since all of this information is already being collected, most CMMS software systems will also include analytics features with reports and dashboards. Having access to real-time data can provide valuable insights into a company’s maintenance operations, identifying trends and areas for improvement.
Key Benefits of Using CMMS Software
CMMS software automates processes and workflows for maintenance professionals, which allows them to spend less time on administrative tasks and focus on completing the maintenance. When maintenance teams don’t have to worry about administrative tasks, the workflow is streamlined, and work orders can be completed at a faster rate.
Manufacturing companies can also gain valuable data and insights from CMMS software through various reporting capabilities. Advanced data analytics can provide upper management with key performance indicator metrics, which will support data-driven decision-making.
CMMS Software: The Game Changer in Manufacturing Maintenance
CMMS software has changed how maintenance departments operate, making it an attractive solution for manufacturing companies. Let’s review how CMMS software has transformed maintenance management and the challenges to expect while implementing CMMS software.
How CMMS Software Revolutionizes Maintenance Management
CMMS software revolutionizes the way manufacturers manage their maintenance operations as it offers a centralized platform that covers the entire maintenance process. Before using a CMMS software solution, maintenance departments would track work orders, maintenance schedules, inventory levels, and maintenance history separately, making it difficult to get a holistic view of the process. By tracking these processes in a single platform, maintenance departments can streamline processes and reduce the risk of human error.
Overcoming Challenges in CMMS Implementation
Similar to other manufacturing software systems, a common challenge for CMMS implementation is the integration capabilities. At this point, most manufacturing companies will have at least one software solution they are currently using, whether it’s for supply chain management, enterprise resource planning, or production planning. To ensure the existing solutions will work with the CMMS software, manufacturing companies must confirm with the software development company that they can be fully integrated for a seamless implementation.
Another aspect of the implementation process that is often overlooked is how employees are trained to use the new system. When implementing CMMS software, manufacturing employees should be provided with multiple training sessions, including an instruction manual, recorded walkthroughs, and in-person walkthroughs where employees can ask questions. By offering ample training, employees will know how to use the system effectively.
How Geneca Can Help
If your manufacturing company is ready to transform your maintenance management and build a computerized maintenance management system, contact Geneca today! Meet with a member of our leadership team during a commitment-free consultation to learn how we can build a solution that meets your company’s unique requirements.