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The Maintenance Management Blog

July 22, 2025

How Capacity Utilization Metrics Improve Resource Efficiency


Technicians use a CMMS dashboard to analyze capacity utilization metrics for improving resource efficiency across assets.Understanding the power of capacity utilization in business efficiency sits at the heart of every organization's resource strategy. Businesses rely on it to measure production effectiveness and guide critical operational decisions. This concept influences labor productivity, asset allocation, and ultimately, profitability. Explore how companies benefit from improving their capacity utilization and how tools like CMMS support the process.

Understanding Capacity Utilization and Its Role in Efficiency

Capacity utilization refers to how effectively a company uses its available production capabilities. Expressed as a percentage, this metric reflects actual output compared to maximum possible output under ideal conditions. It shows the degree to which resources such as labor and equipment contribute to productive work.


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Filed under: capacity utilization, CMMS, maintenance management — Stephen Brayton on Tuesday, July 22, 2025

July 21, 2025

Using Maintenance Criticality Analysis to Optimize Asset Management


Technicians conduct a maintenance criticality analysis to refine asset management practices.Applying maintenance criticality analysis for smarter asset management has become essential for organizations aiming to improve equipment reliability and maintain operational control. With limited resources and high production demands, this method allows teams to focus maintenance where it matters most. The following discussion explores how to conduct this analysis and why it plays such an important role in asset-heavy industries.

While every asset holds value, not all require equal attention. Through evaluation and structured ranking, maintenance teams avoid misdirected efforts and reduce unplanned downtime.


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Filed under: maintenance criticality analysis, CMMS, asset management — Stephen Brayton on Monday, July 21, 2025

July 17, 2025

10 Powerful CMMS Tools and Features You Might Be Missing


Technician exploring overlooked CMMS features and tools to streamline maintenance operations.Did you know there are tools you may be overlooking in your Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)? You already know that a CMMS offers far more than work order scheduling. Many companies install a CMMS, use the basics, and miss out on its most valuable tools. This article breaks down CMMS features often underused but highly beneficial. Unlocking these functions can reshape how your team handles maintenance, communication, and reporting.

Mobile CMMS Tools for On-the-Go Maintenance

Mobile CMMS functionality allows technicians to access work orders, asset histories, and inventory data on smartphones or tablets. Field workers complete tasks faster, submit updates instantly, and check on resources without returning to a desk or office terminal.

Despite the clear benefits, adoption rates lag. Legacy devices and slow internal approval processes often hold teams back. Many mobile CMMS apps demand a minimum level of processing power, and not all organizations want to upgrade hardware.


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Filed under: CMMS features, mobile CMMS — Stephen Brayton on Thursday, July 17, 2025

July 16, 2025

10 Preventative Maintenance Types to Strengthen Your Maintenance Strategy


Various preventative maintenance types used to support maintenance strategies and reduce equipment downtime.Effective equipment and facility care serve as a cornerstone of operational success across countless industries. Proactive strategies maintain machinery and infrastructure, preventing unexpected disruptions. This discussion helps you understand ten key preventive maintenance types, illustrating their application with concrete examples and detailing the transformative influence of a Computerized Maintenance Management System.

Preventive maintenance represents a proactive approach to managing equipment and facilities. This methodology seeks to prevent breakdowns and failures before they happen. Preventive maintenance involves systematic inspections, thorough cleaning, proper lubrication, and other critical tasks that ensure assets operate effectively.


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Filed under: preventive maintenance, equipment maintenance — Stephen Brayton on Wednesday, July 16, 2025

July 15, 2025

Cloud CMMS Benefits: How Cloud-Based Maintenance Software Improves Operations


Mechanics and managers using a cloud-based CMMS for better operationsWhen organizations consider implementing a Computerized Maintenance Management System, a key decision often emerges: selecting a cloud-based or an on-site solution. This critical choice impacts various operational aspects. This discussion explores the benefits of cloud-based CMMS, highlighting eleven distinct benefits that drive improved maintenance practices.

What Is a CMMS? Understanding Computerized Maintenance Management Systems

A CMMS represents a software solution designed to refine existing maintenance operations. When used effectively, these systems provide superior oversight across several vital areas. This includes asset management, inventory control, preventive maintenance policies and procedures, and work order management.


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Filed under: cloud CMMS benefits, cloud-based maintenance software — Stephen Brayton on Tuesday, July 15, 2025

July 14, 2025

Maintenance Strategies to Maximize Asset Longevity


Four maintenance strategies for better operations.Every company with physical assets recognizes the critical role of upkeep. Businesses aim for extended asset life and consistent reliability while carefully managing expenses. This discussion explores four pillars of maintenance strategy for prolonged asset life.

Choosing the Right Approach

How to Choose the Right Maintenance Strategy for Your Business

Selecting a maintenance strategy involves considering various business factors. Industry type, available resources, budgetary constraints, and technological capabilities all influence this decision. A thorough evaluation of these elements guides the choice of the most suitable approach for a given operation.


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Filed under: maintenance strategies, reactive maintenance, preventive maintenance — Stephen Brayton on Monday, July 14, 2025

July 10, 2025

Unlocking Asset Utilization for Smarter Asset Management


A representation of a crew of analysts review a factory of asset utilizationMany companies possess a variety of physical assets, ranging from vehicles to intricate machinery. This article explores how gaining insight into the usage of these assets, particularly equipment and structures, contributes to more effective company operations. A deep comprehension of asset utilization is not merely an accounting exercise; it provides a framework for driving sustained growth and competitive advantage. The discussions within this piece shed light on several critical aspects of this vital concept.

  • Why Asset Utilization Matters for Asset Management.
  • How to Measure Asset Utilization: Key Metrics for Success.
  • Asset Utilization in Action: Industry-Specific Examples.
  • Preventative Maintenance: A Key Driver of Asset Utilization.
  • Using CMMS to Enhance Asset Management and Utilization.

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Filed under: asset utilization, asset management — Stephen Brayton on Thursday, July 10, 2025

July 09, 2025

Preventing Stockouts with Smarter Inventory Management


A supervisor experiencing stockout in an empty warehouse.The term "stockout" resonates with a critical problem in various business operations. It describes a situation where a company lacks sufficient inventory to function without disruption. This comprehensive guide explores understanding and overcoming the challenge of stockout, unravels its underlying causes, and presents effective methods for its avoidance. Maintaining adequate stock levels proves crucial for business continuity and customer satisfaction.

What Causes Stockouts in Inventory Management?

Just as maintenance technicians meticulously diagnose equipment malfunctions, businesses must thoroughly investigate the diverse reasons behind stockouts. A clear understanding of the problem provides a foundation for developing potent solutions. Several factors often contribute to this unwelcome scenario, each demanding specific attention and strategic intervention.


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Filed under: stockout, inventory management — Stephen Brayton on Wednesday, July 09, 2025

July 08, 2025

Understanding Mean Time to Detect (MTTD): A Critical Metric


Technicians analyzing asset data to reduce Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) and improve incident detection.In managing asset performance and reliability, Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) offers a vital measurement. This metric helps companies proactively manage maintenance and incident response. This article helps with understanding MTTD, its calculation, benefits, challenges, and how a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) strengthens detection capabilities.

Mean Time to Detect (MTTD): Key to Faster Incident Detection

MTTD finds use in cybersecurity, IT operations, and other areas where quick incident identification matters most. It measures the average time it takes to discover a security breach, system failure, or other adverse event. A lower MTTD indicates a more efficient and proactive incident response approach. Simply put, it measures how quickly monitoring equipment or technicians spot a problem.


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Filed under: Mean Time To Detect, MTTD, incident detection — Stephen Brayton on Tuesday, July 08, 2025

July 07, 2025

Unlocking Equipment Potential: A Guide to Condition-Based Maintenance


A representation of Condition Based Maintenance showing the dynamic interplay of machinery, sensors, and data analysisChoosing the correct maintenance strategy is vital for operational success. Following is a guide to condition-based maintenance (CBM), a proactive approach that uses real-time equipment health data to guide maintenance decisions. This will cover the fundamentals of CBM, its differences from preventive maintenance, its systematic workflow, industry applications, monitoring techniques, and its advantages and disadvantages.

Read on for discussions of:

  • Definition and Foundational Principles of CBM
  • Condition-Based Maintenance Versus Preventive Maintenance
  • Industry Applications of CBM
  • Methods of CBM Monitoring
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of CBM
  • Implementing a CBM Program
  • How a Computerized Maintenance Management System Assists CBM

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Filed under: condition-based maintenance, CBM, preventive maintenance — Stephen Brayton on Monday, July 07, 2025