November 26, 2025

20 Essential Questions to Ask Your CMMS Provider Before You Buy

You've reviewed your maintenance operations. While the strategy has performed well over the years, you've noticed changes that have accumulated to cause some concerns.

Increased costs. Increased numbers of unplanned downtime. Less productivity from workers. Disorganized stockroom.

To solve these and other problems, you've decided to invest in a computerized maintenance management system. There are many out there, many offering the same features. To make the correct decision, you need a lot of information.

The following is a list of twenty questions to ask a CMMS company before you decide to invest.

You might get some initial information from the company website. However, don't decide just from a website. Call the company, talk to a representative, discuss your company, its size, and the issues you're having in the maintenance department. Ask the following questions, note the answer given, then decide from there.

November 24, 2025

From Reactive to Preventive Maintenance: A Practical Guide for Businesses

Transitioning from reactive to preventive maintenance requires strategic planning, structured processes, and the right tools. Companies often start with reactive practices due to limited resources, but proactive management improves reliability, reduces downtime, and lowers long-term costs. This practical guide for businesses outlines practical steps for implementing preventive maintenance, highlights how a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) supports these initiatives, and provides industry-specific insights for effective execution.

Assess Current Maintenance Practices

A thorough evaluation of existing maintenance processes provides a foundation for change. Organizations should identify areas where reactive practices dominate and investigate the root causes of equipment failures. Critical assets, such as production machinery, energy systems, or transportation fleets, demand special attention because their failure disrupts operations across departments. Tracking breakdown frequencies, repair costs, and safety incidents highlights opportunities for preventive interventions.

November 19, 2025

How Repairable Spare Parts Improve Maintenance Efficiency

One of the main goals of a maintenance department is to reduce costs in both labor and materials. You have to have workers to accomplish the jobs, but you want efficiency and productivity in those tasks. On the other hand, you can control the cost of materials in numerous ways. This article discusses the benefits of having repairable spare parts and how they benefit productivity and efficiency.

What Are Repairable Spare Parts and Why Do They Matter?

Repairable spare parts refer to components or equipment that technicians or mechanics can restore or repair to a usable state. Instead of regularly discarding and replacing, these parts undergo repair or maintenance procedures to extend their lifecycle. This helps to reduce purchasing costs and also the need for excessive inventory. Examples of repairable spare parts include motors, pumps, valves, gears, and circuit boards.

November 17, 2025

How Artificial Intelligence Shapes Modern Maintenance Management

Let's explore how artificial intelligence shapes modern maintenance management systems today and where it may lead. We'll trace AI’s technical evolution, describe common AI roles in software, then examine general ways AI augments a computer maintenance management system's capabilities. Then we'll look to future scenarios for maintenance systems.

A Short Technical History of AI for Maintenance and CMMS

Early AI research targeted logical reasoning and symbolic systems in the 1950s and 1960s, then shifted through cycles of hype and recalibration during the so-called AI winters of the 1970s and 1980s.

November 13, 2025

The Hidden Costs of Reactive Maintenance and How CMMS Transforms Asset Management

Reactive maintenance dominates many industries despite its long-term drawbacks. Companies often wait for equipment failures before addressing issues, believing it saves money and simplifies operations. Yet this approach can lead to unexpected downtime, higher costs, and reduced equipment reliability. Let's explore the hidden costs of reactive maintenance and how a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) transforms asset management.

Understanding Reactive Maintenance and Its Impact on Asset Management

Reactive maintenance, sometimes called "run-to-failure" maintenance, occurs when organizations address equipment issues only after they become critical. Companies often skip inspections, routine checks, and minor repairs, assuming that equipment will function until a failure forces intervention.

November 12, 2025

Understanding the Differences Between CMMS and ERP Systems

The comparison of a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) versus an enterprise resource program (ERP) highlights two distinct approaches to managing enterprise operations. Both systems enhance efficiency, yet they serve different organizational needs. Understanding the differences between CMMS and ERP systems, their purposes, strengths, and applications helps determine which solution aligns with specific operational goals. This analysis examines the capabilities of each system in detail.

November 11, 2025

Mastering Asset Maintenance Scheduling for Long-Term Efficiency

Every organization relies on assets to operate smoothly. Assets include everything from computers and machinery to vehicles, buildings, and specialized equipment. Understanding how to schedule maintenance for assets efficiently ensures these resources perform at peak levels and prevents unexpected failures. Understanding how to manage maintenance cycles, track work, and coordinate resources allows companies to extend asset lifespans and maintain operational efficiency.

Inventory Your Assets

The first step in maintenance scheduling involves creating a comprehensive inventory of all assets. This includes equipment, vehicles, tools, and property. Document details such as make, model, serial number, purchase date, and operational history. Organize assets based on criticality and usage frequency. High-priority items or equipment that operate continuously require closer attention than low-use assets.

November 10, 2025

How CMMS Enhances Equipment Readings for Preventive Maintenance

Equipment readings form the heartbeat of every maintenance program. Whether measuring temperature, pressure, or vibration, these values provide insight into the health and performance of machines. Let's look at how a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) enhances equipment readings for preventive maintenance and how it takes those readings beyond simple recordkeeping, turning them into actionable intelligence.

Every piece of equipment tells a story through numbers. Those numbers—whether mileage on a truck or pressure in a line—signal normal operation or early signs of trouble. Ignoring them risks unsafe conditions, wasted resources, and shortened machine life.

A CMMS strengthens this process by:

• Logging and centralizing data from multiple machines.
• Providing automated reminders for inspections.
• Comparing current readings with historical trends.
• Generating reports for compliance or audits.

The true benefit comes from connecting raw data to scheduled action.

November 06, 2025

Preventive Maintenance Inspections That Keep Assets Performing

Preventive maintenance inspections that keep assets performing play a critical role in protecting and extending equipment life, and reducing costly breakdowns. Across industries, organizations rely on inspections to maintain safety, compliance, and consistent output. A computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) strengthens these inspections by organizing schedules, storing data, and creating accountability. The following discussion highlights 20 essential inspections, industry applications, and the benefits of using a CMMS to support these tasks.

Why Preventive Maintenance Inspections Are Vital for Equipment Reliability

Unplanned downtime often costs far more than scheduled inspections. Consider a single conveyor breakdown in a distribution center. Not only does productivity grind to a halt, but customer deliveries suffer, overtime rises, and replacement parts may carry premium prices. Preventive maintenance inspections reduce these risks. When paired with a CMMS, inspections transform into documented, trackable tasks that provide transparency for management and auditors.

November 05, 2025

How CMMS Safety Strategies Reduce Downtime and Improve Workplace Reliability

The principle of safety-first maintenance strategies with CMMS support applies across industries. Downtime, whether caused by equipment breakdowns or safety incidents, disrupts productivity and drains resources. Preventive maintenance reduces these risks, and modern tools like a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) enhance the process. By blending proactive inspections with digital management, organizations can create safer environments and more reliable operations.

The Hidden Costs of Downtime and How CMMS Prevents Them

Downtime extends beyond broken machines. A production line may halt because a conveyor motor fails, but operations can also stop when employees face injuries or unsafe conditions. For example, in the food processing industry, a slip caused by an unaddressed spill can pause work in an entire area while safety teams respond. Both scenarios waste time, increase costs, and damage trust with customers.