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CMMS Cameroon. A quick review of the situation

CMMS Cameroon. A quick review of the situation

Monday 19 april 2021

Africa has placed itself on the digital development highway, mainly the sub-Saharan zone which, by 2025, will achieve considerable growth in terms of ICT use and adoption. Let's discover this in more detail, with a particular focus on the diffusion and use of CMMS software in Cameroon. 

The promising future of IT in Cameroon

As far as the emergence of new technologies is concerned, Cameroon is not left behind. An exponential growth is observed for almost a decade. In 2010, the internet penetration rate was 4.3%, since 2018 the rate is maintained at 35%, this shows us effectively that, the digital transformation is underway in Cameroon.

According to the British consulting firm Ovumone, about one billion people in Africa will have access to the internet by 2022. It is also estimated that in 2025, the contribution of digital to African GDP would reach 300 billion dollars (or 10% of GDP). And this, in particular through online trade and productivity gains.

The challenges of new technologies in Cameroon

Several factors represent challenges to be overcome that can be classified into three categories: those that hinder the supply of services, those that prevent the boosting of demand and finally, those related to good governance, regulation and training:

 1.Offer

  • Lack of a broadband infrastructure development master plan
  • Weak development of broadband infrastructure
  • Insufficient quantity and quality of infrastructure
  • Low coverage of 3G and 4G mobile networks
  • Monopolistic structure of the national and international bandwidth access market
  • Non-regulation of these market segments, resulting in high retail tariffs
  • Lack of a local digital content development industry
  • Research and innovation not sufficiently supervised

 2.demand

  • Digital transformation of the emerging society
  • Low rate of access to broadband Internet for households
  • Low rate of access to very high speed internet for businesses
  • Lack of ICT culture
  • Still high retail tariffs
  • Low dematerialization of public services
  • Low availability of online services

   3.Governance and training

  • Adaptation of the current regulatory framework to the development of the digital economy underway
  • Institutional framework not adapted to the development of the digital economy
  • Weakness of the regulation for the development of the digital economy
  • Inadequacy of the training in relation to the employment needs of the field
  • Lack of necessary financial resources

The state of the art of CMMS software in Cameroon

CMMS is the abbreviation for Computerized Maintenance Management System. This family of software, which can be used by a company, a local authority or an administration, manages corrective maintenance, automates the scheduling of preventive maintenance based on the calendar and meters, streamlines processes and procedures and optimizes workflows. Maintenance professionals use CMMS software to plan, manage, and improve the maintenance of production plants, buildings, and facilities. Such software, when used optimally, extends the life of equipment, reduces overall costs, and increases the reliability and productivity of technical assets.

What is the situation and maturity of the CMMS market in Cameroon? Has the wave of modern CMMS solutions, i.e. Computerized Maintenance Management Systems based on web technologies and mobility reached Cameroon?

In Cameroon, we find a local market of CMMS. Indeed, many Cameroonian companies use CMMS to manage their maintenance tasks, and therefore to inventory equipment, manage preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment, spare parts replenishment, and manage subcontractors and suppliers.

Adopting a CMMS solution in Cameroon allows to make a technical and financial follow-up of the maintenance operations of a company, that's why it is a tool which becomes quickly Indispensable to Cameroonian companies wishing a semi-objective management of their material and personnel. Nevertheless, we still find on the Cameroonian market many old generation CMMS solutions that are largely outdated, they are very expensive, complex to use, and lack features considered essential today. Fortunately, we are now witnessing the arrival of new players on the Cameroonian market who offer modern CMMS solutions, profitable solutions that offer real added value to the company with the generation of an interesting ROI.

Conclusion

The digital and IT revolution in Cameroon will only make sense if the society as a whole adopts ICT in its lifestyle. Thus, the advent of the digital economy in Cameroon will inevitably pass by the generalization of the use of ICT by individuals, administrations and businesses. Regarding the field of CMMS in Cameroon, the CMMS must be designed to meet the real local needs of Cameroon and face the local economic and organizational constraints.

 

 

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