Determined to find the right Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to boost your maintenance efficiency? Overwhelmed by complex data and unsure how to optimise asset performance? If so, this is the article for you.
A modern CMMS system automates maintenance, cuts downtime, and enhances productivity. In this article, you’ll learn about some of the best (and worst) CMMS systems we’ve identified. By the end, you’ll be able to identify which approach is right for you.
Three of the top Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), in alphabetical order
- eMaint CMMS: A cloud-based powerhouse, eMaint excels in work order management, preventive maintenance, and asset tracking. Its integration with Fluke sensors supports real-time machine monitoring, ideal for manufacturing. With customisable dashboards and an offline-capable mobile application, it empowers field technicians and drives data-driven decisions.
- Fiix: Fiix delivers a user-friendly, cloud-based platform with robust automation for work orders, inventory, and preventive maintenance. Its Integration Hub connects seamlessly with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like SAP and IoT devices, perfect for retail and hospitality. The mobile application ensures field teams stay productive anywhere.
- Limble CMMS: Limble’s mobile-first design simplifies maintenance with intuitive work order management, predictive analytics, and QR code customisation for multilingual teams. There’s scalable pricing to suit small and large businesses, with options for remote operations.
From stellar to stumbling blocks: the worst Maintenance Management approaches
While modern CMMS systems streamline operations, some outdated methods hinder progress by their restrictive nature. Here are three approaches to avoid:
- Whiteboards: Simple, visual, and low-cost, whiteboards allow quick updates and are accessible without software, making them suitable for small teams tracking basic tasks. Limited to physical locations, they’re prone to human error from manual updates, offer no automation, and lack data storage or analytics. Scaling is impossible, and critical maintenance schedules can be erased or missed, leading to downtime. Whiteboards are a temporary fix for tiny operations but fail to support the complexity or scalability of enterprise maintenance.
- General-purpose project management tools: Affordable and familiar, these tools offer task tracking and collaboration features, with some customisation for small maintenance workflows. Not designed for maintenance, they lack specialised features like preventive maintenance scheduling or asset tracking. Poor integration with IoT or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and limited reporting make them inefficient for complex maintenance needs. These tools work for basic task management but fall short for the specialised demands of a Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS), hindering efficiency.
- Legacy On-Premise Software: Offers some automation and customisation, with local data control tailored to past organisational needs. High maintenance costs, outdated interfaces, and limited mobile access slow operations. Poor integration with modern systems creates data silos, and upgrades are costly and slow, limiting scalability. Legacy software is an expensive, inflexible relic, unable to match the agility of cloud-based CMMS solutions.
Investing in a proper Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) transforms maintenance with automation, mobility, and real-time insights. Avoid whiteboards, general-purpose tools, and legacy software to prevent inefficiencies and stay competitive.
Which approach are you using to track your maintenance management strategy? Let's talk