CMMS for small and medium-sized companies: a one-way ticket to the industry of the future
Thursday 24 march 2022
Among the players who use CMMS, medium-sized companies (MSEs) are now at the forefront. Let's take a closer look.
Intermediary companies using Industry 4.0 solutions
Intermediate-sized companies (ISCs) are increasingly interested in solutions related to the industry of the future. According to the barometer "Industrie 4.0 des ETI" carried out by GFI and BFM Business, 90% of ETI managers see the digital transition as an opportunity. For these industrial players, Industry 4.0 is synonymous with automation, connected objects and predictive maintenance. It also requires the increased use of management software (ERP, CMMS, CAPM, etc.)
Machine automation: from corrective maintenance to preventive interventions
Industrial equipment is becoming more and more sophisticated. With the development of automated systems, a breakdown can block the entire production chain. Computer-aided maintenance management (CMMS) is becoming more and more strategic for small and medium-sized companies. The company is moving from a corrective maintenance logic (interventions in case of breakdowns) to a preventive maintenance logic (equipment monitoring). This requires the planning of periodic maintenance. The regular interventions of the technical teams increase the life span of the equipment.
Connected objects and industrial equipment: the rise of "smart maintenance
Smart maintenance" refers to maintenance management based on an information system. The automation of production lines goes hand in hand with the development of connected objects (Iot). More and more machines are equipped with artificial intelligence solutions. Sensors are installed on equipment and linked to CMMS software. These products will allow data to be collected directly from the heart of the equipment.
Predictive maintenance: data analysis at the heart of interventions
Maintenance management software solutions include a data analysis tool. It allows :
- monitor the condition of machines
- manage spare parts stocks
- anticipate requests for quotes from suppliers
- optimize the use of the equipment
- to visualize recent interventions
- diagnose a breakdown at an early stage
This information, capitalized and exploited by the technical department, allows for predictive maintenance. Assisted maintenance allows a predictive management of assets, stocks and interventions.
The functionalities of a CMMS for ETI
Investing in a CMMS for small and medium-sized companies is a must to optimize the management of its maintenance. Mid-sized companies need specific services that take their organization into account. Here is an overview of the important functionalities for deploying a CMMS project in a medium-sized company.
Interoperability of a CMMS for mid-sized companies with an ERP system
44% of companies with more than 50 employees have adopted an ERP (compared to 18% of small companies).
The CMMS solution for SMBs must therefore be integrated into the existing information system. Many software publishers offer their customers APIs to ensure the connection between CMMS and ERP. Once connected to the ERP source, the maintenance software API is able to extract many data from the integrated software package. A CMMS software can also be connected to a production management software (CAPM).
A CMMS solution adapted for multi-site intermediate companies
A company with more than 250 employees sometimes has a multi-site work organization. CMMS solutions allow the management of the company's maintenance as a whole while taking into account the specificities of the activity of each industrial site. The software publisher adapts the scope of the tool to the management practices of each entity. A multilingual interface allows users in different countries to coordinate their maintenance interventions.
CMMS for SMBs: should you choose a cloud-based solution?
Without the cloud, conventional CMMS software comes at a cost. Once the software is purchased, the company must invest in the appropriate IT equipment for the departments involved. The project management associated with the deployment of the tool requires trained and dedicated IT teams.
A CMMS solution hosted in the cloud works on a subscription basis. Users can take control of the solution directly, which helps control the cost of deploying the software. Maintenance data can be accessed from any web browser with a SaaS CMMS solution. The tool is thus adapted to situations of technical intervention outside the company.
Many solutions also integrate a mobile application. Software publishers also offer platforms for exchanges between purchasing departments and maintenance technicians. These platforms are integrated into the CMMS tool. These new functionalities boost the use of the tool among maintenance technicians.What to succeed in the deployment of the CMMS and enter serenely in the industry of the Future.
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