November 21, 2014

CMMS – If You Look Closely, You’ll Find It’s Actually All Around

When we think of computerized maintenance management software (CMMS), we usually think of it being used in a manufacturing or industrial setting, with a focus on preventative maintenance for machines, equipment, and other engineering marvels. However, you would be surprised how maintenance programs can help all sorts of businesses and facilities. In this blog post, we will take a look inside some lesser-known industries that can -- and do -- benefit from the offerings of a CMMS.

If you walk up to the average person on the street and ask them if they have ever heard of a CMMS before, odds are they won't have a clue what the software is, much less how great of an impact it has on virtually every aspect of their lives. Maintenance management software is truly an unsung hero, working quietly in the background to help ensure humanity has access to everything from food and clothing to medical necessities and even education.

CMMSes Are Everywhere

So what are some of the unexpected places you can find a CMMS fast at work? One huge sector that benefits from maintenance software is the hospitality industry. As you know, maintenance applications are not just geared towards machinery -- they are also used for property and facilities, helping reliability managers maintain their grounds.

Hotels, for instance, have a revolving door of visitors entering and exiting their premises 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because of this, hotel owners need to ensure their property is safe for customers. Leaky roofs, poor lighting, and neglected handrails are all hazardous situations that need repairing and routine maintenance. In addition to safety, comfort and cleanliness are also concerns in this setting. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, boilers, and plumbing all need a maintenance plan in place to prevent failure.

Another surprising place where you can see a CMMS being implemented is amusement parks. Think about a place such as Walt Disney World. With thousands of acres of land, dozens of hotels and restaurants, and hundreds of rides imagine the impossible task a maintenance manager would face if he did not have some sort of maintenance software to help manage everything.

In such an environment, even something as mundane as energy control can become a huge deal. Considering the fact that a poorly maintained piece of machinery can easily use an additional 20% of electricity or gas to operate, you can see how pivotal a great preventative and proactive maintenance plan is for a theme park.

Safety regulations are another key factor for amusement parks. Rides, while fun, can lead to tragedy if not properly cared for. Because of this, parks must abide by a set of standards and regulations, all of which can be followed much easier with the help of a CMMS. The same can be said for food preparation and even restroom sanitation.

Computerized maintenance management software can benefit virtually any business that relies on any sort of grounds or equipment maintenance, safety regulations, or asset management. Government organizations, military services, libraries, oil and gas companies, hospitals, sports arenas, schools, and resorts are just a small example of the types of organizations that can -- and do -- utilize a CMMS.

Does your company? If not, maybe it's time to consider one!