Top Features to Look for in Manufacturing CMMS Software

October 21, 2024
manufacturing cmms softwares
If you are sick and tired of responding to fires on your manufacturing floor all the time, it's time to step back and consider whether there is a better way to handle this chaos. The solution is Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software- your best companion in the world of maintenance management.

Why CMMS?

What happens to your manufacturing process when equipment suddenly stops working? One thing is certain: every machine that is out of operation will make you lose money. In the manufacturing landscape where time is money, effective maintenance management is necessary to educate you about factors, including machine performance, when it needs attention, and when repairs need monitoring in real-time. The CMMS delivers outputs such as a streamlined maintenance process, real-time tracking of work orders, proper management of assets, preventive maintenance and lower maintenance costs.

The result? A well-oiled, lean, good and hard-working machine that remains smart at the same time. Companies that use CMMS solutions experience longer asset lifespans, fewer equipment failures, and lower maintenance expenses overall. That means the managers feel less stressed, have more uptime, and have a positive financial impact.

Apart from benefits, there exists a million-dollar question: How do you purchase the right CMMS solution when there are several out there, each promising to be the "best"? So buckle up! It's time to identify the best CMMS and turn your maintenance turmoils into an efficient and smooth operation. This blog will explore the Top Features to Look for in Manufacturing CMMS Software for your efficient operational floor.

Ten Essential Features to Look for in a CMMS

1. Asset management: The asset management modules in CMMS enable manufacturers to track depreciation, monitor asset performance, manage costs, and schedule maintenance activities. Assets are the basis of your process, from smaller tools to heavy machinery. Hence, considering the ability of CMMS to maximise the Return on Investment (ROI) in their assets by avoiding unexpected breakdowns, tracking the entire asset lifecycle and scheduling preventive maintenance is essential.

2. Work order Management: The maintenance operation of an organisation relies on work order facilitation, and CMMS enables the manufacturers to generate, assign, and track work orders effectively. It creates pre-set parameters such as available resources, urgency and so on. So check whether the CMMS enables real-time tracking, priority settings, multi-location tracking and order history tracking, not with a clunky interface. Proper work order management results in streamlined repairs, reduced downtime and improved accountability.

3. Preventive Maintenance SchedulingCMMS can prevent unplanned downtime and costly breakdowns before the escalation of issues. This feature helps the managers to schedule equipment inspection, parts replacement and lubrication. Look for a CMMS with automated preventive maintenance (PM) schedule capabilities. The ability to ensure the best working of machinery by making recurring tasks according to the usage, condition triggers or usage is needed. Besides, ensure that the CMMS provides notifications, alerts and reminders. All these features help to reduce costly repairs and increase the asset lifespan.

4. Predictive maintenance: With robust predictive maintenance capabilities, a CMMS tool can integrate with IoT and sensors to gather real-time data on machine working. Through this, the failures and breakdowns can be detected early and can control the failures. Selecting a system that makes use of data analytics will help you predict problems early on, increase the dependability of your equipment, and improve operational efficiency.

5. Inventory Management: Having a CMMS with solid inventory management abilities is essential for maintaining the efficiency of inventory levels and managing spare parts. For this, software that provides real-time visibility into materials and spare parts, along with tracking stock levels and forecasting future inventory demands, is necessary. A CMMS that provides all these features keeps the production line working smoothly by avoiding costly downtime and minimising overstocking.

6. Mobile Access: CMMS equipped with mobile features enables on-the-go communication and information accessibility, enhancing responsiveness and efficiency. No matter where they are, the team can update work orders, log maintenance activities, and check inventory levels in real-time with data. Beyond convenience, this results in quicker resolution times and enhanced asset reliability.

7. Reporting and Analytics Capabilities: How a CMMS provides measurable benefits to an organisation through calculating maintenance KPIs, efficiency and overall performance is highly important. Equipment productivity and reliability can be enhanced by tracking KPIs such as Maintenance Costs, Equipment Uptime and Mean Time to Repair (MTTR). Based on predictive maintenance analytics, work order history reports, and asset performance dashboards, CMMS software provides comprehensive reports which help managers to achieve objectives.

8. Integration Capabilities with Other Systems: Integration with other programs enables the exchange of data between several platforms. The power of integration lies in having a single source that easily handles maintenance schedules, asset data, inventory, etc. The strong integration capabilities of CMMS tools make an interlinked ecosystem that enhances communication, increases productivity, and provides a more streamlined, data-driven approach to maintenance.

9. User-Friendly Interface and Customisable Features: Simple, easy-to-learn and use CMMS software with a clean and clutter-free layout provide a friendly user interface. In addition, features like a personalised dashboard that allows a quick evaluation of all levels help users easily update tasks, close work orders on the go, and check inventory. Customisation fulfils unique needs and makes the system evolve with the business. If the tool provides high adaptability, it will lead to quicker results and enhanced efficiency.

10. Support Services: For the effective running of software, support and regular updates should be provided. The best CMMS system not only generates updates but also ensures that new improvements and features integrate into existing processes.

Titan CMMS: Your Ultimate Solution for Streamlined Manufacturing

As we wrap up our exploration of the top features to look for in Manufacturing CMMS Software, it is evident that Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software is an efficient tool that creates magic in your manufacturing process. However, choosing the right CMMS software is not an easy task, and various technological and functional factors need to be considered. Besides, the selection is also aligned with the organisational objectives and operational environment. Hence, considering the top ten features of CMMS, which include Asset Management, Work order management, Preventive Maintenance Scheduling, Predictive maintenance, Inventory Management, Mobile Access, Reporting and Analytics Capabilities, Integration Capabilities with Other Systems, User-Friendly Interface and Customisable Features, and Support Services, while selection will make you drive success. These features of CMMS software provide solutions for instant challenges and support long-term maintenance management growth. The right tool with all these elements can streamline maintenance workflows and reduce downtime.

Discovering a tool that ticks all these boxes will turn your maintenance management from reactive to proactive. But which tool has that capability? Here is where Titan CMMS comes in.

Let's look at what Titan CMMS can do for your business

  • Increase productivity
  • Reduce equipment downtime
  • Increase the life of the equipment
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • Enhance work order management
  • Schedule preventive Maintenance
  • Real-time maintenance-related data
  • Generate custom reports
  • Improve Inventory Management
  • Meet Compliance and Safety Standards
  • Make Data-Driven Maintenance Decisions

FAQs

1. What are the requirements of a CMMS?

  • Asset management
  • Work order management
  • Preventive Maintenance Scheduling
  • Predictive maintenance
  • Inventory Management
  • Mobile Access
  • Reporting and Analytics Capabilities
  • Integration Capabilities with Other Systems
  • User-Friendly Interface and Customizable Features
  • Support Services

2. What is CMMS in manufacturing?

CMMS stands for Computerised Maintenance Management System, which helps manufacturing organisations effectively schedule and execute maintenance-related activities, manage assets, and track work orders.

3. How do manufacturers use CMMS?

In the manufacturing industry, CMMS is used to repair equipment, manage assets, report and analyse, track inventory, manage work orders, and schedule preventive maintenance.

4. What are the benefits of CMMS?

  • Increase productivity
  • Reduce equipment downtime
  • Increase the life of the equipment
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • Enhance work order management
  • Schedule Preventive Maintenance
  • Real-Time Maintenance-related data
  • Generate custom reports
  • Improve Inventory Management
  • Meet Compliance and Safety Standards
  • Make Data-Driven Maintenance Decisions

5. What is the difference between ERP and CMMS?

CMMS aids firms in digitally planning and managing maintenance activities of assets by focusing on streamlining maintenance operations. However, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software manages every organisational operation in a single platform.

Enhance your maintenance with Titan CMMS