May - Library

7
Improved CMMS and Asset Management Systems
Improved CMMS and
Asset Management
Systems -
But Do They Lead to Success?
By Len Bradshaw,
Editor, The Maintenance Journal
Part 1
Improved CMMS And Asset Management
Systems
Computerised Maintenance Management Systems ( CMMS ) evolved
in the 70’s and 80’s as a means of managing maintenance activities.
In particular they were created to help manage all aspects of
managing, planning, controlling, requesting, re c o rding, re p o rting, and
analysing maintenance activities.
The Basic Modules of a CMMS
The basic requirements of Computerised Maintenance Management
Systems (CMMS) are as follows:
• A means of establishing a data base for the maintenence asset.
• A means of requesting the assistance of a maintenence section.
• A means of establishing the prioity of incoming work.
• A means of checking the available resources of material, tools,
personnel, etc.
• A means of storing and retrieving appropriate description of
maintenance activities.
• A means of issuing maintenance work instructions.
• A means of recording work preformed, additional work
identified, and resources actually used.
• A means of establishing appropriate historical records for each
asset, sub-assets, or groupings of assets.
• A means of analysis of historical data to to produce reports on
the efficiency and effectiveness of the maintenance activities
performed.
• A means of generating information flow for other special
applications such as Statutory Maintenance Activities, Permit to
Work Systems, etc.
In addition to the above the latest CMMS’s will provide a vast range
of capabilities/modules. They are large complex software packages
but are now relatively easy to use, provided that appropriate training
in the system usage has been given.
More Than a Computerised Maintenance Management System
T h e re have been dramatic improvements in the ease of use, speed,
and functionality of Computerised Maintenance Management
Systems. CMMS’s now provide much more than a basic Maintenance
Management system. They have improved capabilities such as:
Intergration / Interfacing
• Direct linkage to Stores, Purchasing, Costing and Production
Management Systems. Such interlinked systems go beyond
being simply CMMS to Enterprise Asset Management Systems
(EAMS).
• Linkage to other specialist systems such as Project
Management, Energy Management, and Analytical software, etc
• Ability to access and disseminate Diagrams and pictures,
CAD/CAM, videos, etc.
• Direct linkage to Condition Monitoring Systems. Providing if
required condition data from a plant item to anywhere in the
World.
• Direct linkage to control systems / production control data, etc.
Communication / Data Collection / Data Transfer
• Portable Data Collection and Data Transfer Systems, etc
• Bar coding, Stick on data Buttons, Transponders, Electronic
tagging, etc.
• Radio paging, Data transmission, Telemetry Systems.
• Internet, Intranet, Web based capabilities.
• Links to Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Intergration/ Interfacing of CMMS
A CMMS is a mechanism for communication not just within the
maintenance department but also with other departments and possibly
even other organisations.
This ‘integration’ or ‘interfacing’ of the CMMS with other systems is
shown in Figure 1.