Four Steps to CMMS Success
Part 1: CMMS: Why Should Managers Upgrade Their System?
Part 2: CMMS: Needs Analysis, Cost Justification Fuel Upgrades
Part 3: CMMS Upgrades: Managers, Upper Management Need to Speak Same Language
CMMS: Why Should Managers Upgrade Their System?
By Kris Bagadia
July 2010
Institutional and commercial facilities have used computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) for the last 25 years, and many companies have been using the same system for 10, 15, or even 20 years. During that time, CMMS technology and performance have evolved to meet customer needs.
These changes, combined with the passage of time, means the time has come for many maintenance and engineering managers to upgrade their departments' CMMS. Upgrades generally occur for one of three reasons:
- The current CMMS is simply too old and obsolete in form and function.
- The facilities have changed, so the company's needs have changed to the point where the current system cannot meet them.
- The CMMS was specified improperly, and the company fell prey to the 80 percent failure rate of CMMS implementations.
Upgrading might mean buying a new system from a new vendor, or it might mean upgrading from a current vendor. Whichever the case, managers have an important process to follow. To succeed, they need to invest the proper amount of time and resources in four key areas.
Comments
Myles Owens wrote re: CMMS: Why Should Managers Upgrade Their System?
on 8/25/2010 10:12:53 AM
Kris and HarryK make some good points. One problem frequently encountered by not upgrading the CMMS system regularly is when a corporation decides to upgrade its servers and operating system. Often the corporation finds that older version of a CMMS will not run on the new servers or operating systems.
Most CMMS vendors provide a migration path for upgrading the CMMS, but some organizations are reluctant to upgrade and want to stay on their old system. Staying on the older system often proves more costly in the long run.
Harryk1527 wrote re: CMMS: Why Should Managers Upgrade Their System?
on 7/29/2010 10:28:16 AM
Kris is right on. Running Windows 98 has risks from data loss when your computer fails! If your existing vendor is still in business, see if they have a migration path for your data. If they are not, look for a vendor that will work with you to import your data into a new system.
If it was a payroll system, you wouldn't wait until it failed, so don't risk it with your maintenance system.
Four Steps to CMMS Success
Part 1: CMMS: Why Should Managers Upgrade Their System?
Part 2: CMMS: Needs Analysis, Cost Justification Fuel Upgrades
Part 3: CMMS Upgrades: Managers, Upper Management Need to Speak Same Language
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