Wireless CMMS: Next-Generation Tool

Part 1: The Benefits and Challenges of Wireless CMMS

Part 2: Wireless CMMS: Managers Must Convince Technicians

Part 3: Wireless CMMS: Consider Total Cost of Ownership

Part 4: Mobile CMMS: Questions About Data Entry

Part 5: CMMS: Wireless Connectivity an Issue

Wireless CMMS: Managers Must Convince Technicians

By Kris Bagadia - March 2010

Technicians often fear new technology will make their jobs unnecessary. But this is not the only source of resistance managers will find among technicians regarding mobile technology. Many workers have been performing their jobs a certain way for many years, and it is difficult to break that routine.

As a result, many technicians simply refuse to use new technology. They let it sit on the shelf and return to their old ways. Ultimately, it makes no difference the amount of money a department spends on mobile technology or software. Its success hinges upon technicians accepting change and buying into the ways the technology can improve departmental efficiency.

The solution to this problem actually occurs long before a manager buys or even considers any software or hardware. Managers must involve maintenance and engineering technicians from the beginning. This strategy allows managers to show the technology is a tool to make their jobs easier, not an attempt to replace them.

If technicians can have input, understand the long-term goals, and see the ways technology can make their jobs easier, they are much more likely to invest in its success, confident their jobs are secure.

Once technicians are on board, they are much more likely to participate in developing a solution that will succeed and provide valuable insights into making this new tool as usable and efficient as possible.

Comments

jduffy wrote re: Wireless CMMS: Managers Must Convince Technicians
on 1/19/2011 6:26:59 PM

I wholeheartedly agree with the need for Technicians to have the opportunity to see the benefits a new technology can provide to the team. Technology evaluations are often a good time for everyone to work with a new tool and to provide their input without feeling like it is being forced upon them. We've also found that it is useful for the Technicians to see how the data they produce is being put to use during the evaluation, even if this portion of the technology is normally reserved only for management.

We've always provided new customers of our Facility Maintenance Software an initial 30 day evaluation period for this very reason. It's always a hoot to watch those staunchly against a new technology to later become a great proponent of it once they realize the benefits it brings to their work flow.