CMMS software vendors do their best to ensure their products keep up with the latest trends in management and computing. The latest versions are less limited compared to previous editions and can be easily modified for multiple industries. The systems can be used both for facility management and maintenance management, and have other utility that impacts decisions and data management. In this article, we summarize the most important CMMS features of 2016 that are having a big impact on the continuing evolution of CMMS software.
CMMS TRENDS
1. Mobility
Employees are increasingly accessing software systems on tablets and smartphones. Managers and other employees who are in the field need access to information anywhere so that they don’t have to call someone or go back to the office. Therefore, it is essential that CMMS software is compatible with mobile devices to ensure such employees stay productive in the field.
2. Cloud-Hosted Software
This has become a popular trend because modern SaaS promotion ideas are focusing mainly on publicizing the numerous benefits of cloud-hosted solutions. Vendors can add functionality and boost software capacity without needing to create new infrastructure. Plus, the software is easily scalable to meet the growth and expansion of companies. There are no installation and deployment issues, and cloud-hosted solutions easily enable management of multiple locations. The pricing model is also simple and usually affordable and the packages offer unlimited support, training, and hosting – which frees up company’s IT staff and enables them to focus on other important work.
3. Global Enterprises
International enterprises that have global plants and buildings require large databases, and need suitable CMMS feature to manage them. At the same time international corporations usually have employees who speak multiple languages, so they need a CMMS solution that supports these languages.
4. Going Green
Green development is becoming important and government agencies are emphasizing environmental restrictions and regulations. Building constructors and architects can use CMMS software to meet LEED requirements, promote energy efficiency, and bolster the schedule for preventive maintenance. These solutions can be used effectively to reduce expenses.
5. Risk Management
A lot of research is going on to prevent and respond to disasters and emergencies. Advanced user friendly simple CMMS solutions bolster schedules for preventive maintenances and interface with the alarm systems of facilities to alert management if there is an emergency. They also provide complete inventory management to equip managers with useful and effective parts and tools.
6. Get Rid of Paper
A good CMMS software is cost effective, green-friendly, and hassle-free. You can get rid of paper and save costs and the environment as the system can monitor assets and generate paperless reports, which makes it simple to organize and manage records.
7. Saves Time
Managers have numerous responsibilities especially when they operate a small business. They don’t have the time to prepare detailed reports and they need information quickly to make fast decisions. CMMS software helps such managers by providing them KPIs and reports for easy viewing and fast action.
8. CMMS Integrations
Smart buildings need multiple software for data capture and comprehensive management. Advanced CMMS software will integrate smoothly with Building Automation Systems (BAS) and other relevant solutions. In the manufacturing sector, CMMS software will integrate with PLCs and machinery controls to help with demand maintenance and preventive maintenance.
9. Ease of Use
The earliest CMMS software apps were complicated and difficult to use because of limitations in software development. Nowadays, CMMS software will usually be designed to be simple and user friendly and even lay users without technical knowledge will be able learn to use it easily and effectively in a short time. Companies should be able to customize the software to conform to user needs and not the other way around. The latest CMMS packages are designed to cater to each user’s specific needs for reporting, analysis, and data entry.
10. Productive Partnership with the Vendor
It is a known fact that a high proportion of CMMS software (also known as facility management software) deployment fails, usually due to multiple factors. Therefore, companies are focusing on building a lasting and effective partnership with the CMMS software vendor. This helps them learn all about the features and tools of the system and how to use them effectively for their specific needs. The vendor can should also help to customize the software to fit each company’s requirements.
11. Vendor Profiles are Changing
Many big ERP vendors are enhancing their CMMS module or have invested in acquiring a CMMS vendor. Large plant-automation enterprises are buying or forming partnerships with CMMS vendors. These systems are definitely a good fit for data collection at the shop floor level.
12. Open Architecture
The age of proprietary solutions is over. CMMS vendors are partnering other software and hardware firms to integrate with their platforms to enhance the value of enterprise applications. The widespread use of web-based solutions is driving the creation of solutions that are compatible with multiple platforms.
13. Supply-Chain Management
The internet is altering supply chain functionality with purchase orders, electronic quotations, supplier portals, and electronic catalogs. CMMS vendors will be creating more features that combine with these e-procurement tasks to help in managing supplier performance and spare parts inventory.
14. Niche Apps are In
The world is becoming specialized and focused. Vendors are keeping up with the CMMS features by catering to specific industries such as pharmaceutical or nuclear that have regulatory stipulations for which companies need custom reporting and tracking. Other industries like pipeline and transportation also have special needs that cannot be met by general solutions.
15. Condition Monitoring
Enterprises are utilizing condition monitoring to reduce product variability and exercise more controls on operation, environment, and equipment-usage processes. Sensors track the condition and output of a machine and any abnormal development instantly triggers automated maintenance or a maintenance call. Sensors such as gauges, scanners, and cameras are used to measure particular parameters such as humidity or pressure.
16. Focus on Proper Implementation
Companies are realizing that implementing a new CMMS or upgrading an existing system needs process change to be effective. This in turn needs major behavioral changes for all the company’s stakeholders. It is not enough to select a CMMS solution based on features alone. Successful implementation and deployment depends on the quality and quantity of resources used in the project. The project should be treated as an operational project and not just an IT project. A project manager should be selected from operations who can function as a critical decision maker. Finally, many companies are establishing a center of excellence that facilitates continuous enhancement of systems and processes in collaboration with their CMMS vendor.
17. CMMS Buyer Trends
“Most buyers (37%) said they have 101 to 500 employees to manage. In general, most buyers oversee somewhere between 21 and 500 employees.”
Software Advice’s survey of CMMS users throws up many interesting findings: 48% of prospective customers are using manual methods such as spreadsheets and paper for tracking maintenance management. The most desired features are preventive maintenance (25%), asset management (22%), and work order management (21%). What is even more interesting, 85% of buyers plan to invest in a CMMS system within the next three months. At the same time, 71% of buyers say they are not particular about cloud-based or on-premise systems which shows they do not seem to be aware of the benefits of each platform.
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This post was contributed to us by Finances Online, a B2B business directory and online SaaS software review platform. Also check out G2 Crowd for reviews on CMMS software options.
