Today's handheld devices bring an added level of functionality to CMMS. The mobility they allow brings greater efficiency to technicians in the field. Consider these examples of the benefits of mobile technology:
Readings. Technicians who use handheld devices servicing equipment and assets, such as boilers and chillers, can collect key pieces of data, including pressure, temperature, and oil levels. If they find abnormal based on user-defined criteria, the CMMS will send a warning. They can also monitor security checks, perform inspection routes and record runtime data.
Work orders. Managers and supervisors can distribute work orders using a handheld device. The technicians can perform the actual work with instructions on handhelds, enter data on time taken and work performed, and close the work orders. All the related information is transferred into CMMS, either real time or via a cradle. Departments also can generate work orders using handhelds. You can establish a completely paperless work order system if desired.
Parts inventory. This area offers an excellent opportunity for managers to use mobile CMMS technology to save money. Storeroom attendants using handheld devices can handle parts receiving, additions and depletions, cycle counts, and annual physical inventory very efficiently. They can issue an item to an employee, work order or an account number, as well as return the issued item to the inventory.
Successfully specifying and implementing a CMMS ultimately will require top management's commitment to stay involved with the project and provide needed support and resources. If these things occurs, the result will be a CMMS that properly facilitates daily technician activities, resulting in efficiencies not possible with manual systems.
Perhaps more importantly, a CMMS also can provide comprehensive information and analysis for managers that support fact-based decisions enabling greater optimization and accountability throughout the organization.
Kris Bagadia is a consultant and educator and is president of PEAK Industrial Solutions, LLC, a software consulting firm.
Maximum CMMS: Maintenance Mobility
