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WHAT IS CMMS

Computerized Maintenance Management System or CMMS has been developed to organise, expedite and monitor all maintenance activities. CMMS are usually fragmented into inventory, preventive maintenance and work order tracking. As CMMS matured, the program have become integrated, allowing control of all the major areas of maintenance in one system. The system vary in size allowing organisation with 5 to 5000 craft workers to be cost effective in using them.

CMMS is among the most significant and far-reaching developments affecting plant services department today. They optimise the productivity and efficiency of plant services departments and convert traditional reactive crisis control procedures of these groups into proactive operations that anticipate and prevent unexpected shutdowns

The need for and use of a CMMS is not specific to any one industry or type of application. CMMS are being used by state, municipal organisations, all types and sizes of manufacturing and process plants, hotels, colleges and universities and so on. Any facility or corporation that has a maintenance workforce is a potential user of a CMMS. However, each organisation will have some differences in their requirements.

THE SCENARIO
The dilemma facing maintenance managers and engineers is the process of selecting a system that suit their particulars needs and then put them into operation as effectively as possible. If you analyze the time it takes for those companies to make a decision about other capital expenditures that probably cost several times the value of a CMMS, it is evident those decisions do not take months or years.

While there are many CMMS available in the US, the same cannot be said of in Malaysia. Why does it take sophisticated companies months to select a system that, properly implemented and managed , will have a pay back period shorter than the selection period ? The answer lies in the following facts:

• Lack of understanding and the benefits CMMS can rings and hence the difficulties in making a selection.

• There is lack of CMMS to choose from in Malaysia. Imported CMMS are few.

• Imported software's are expensive and may not be suited to their operation.

• Lack of management support. Budget and human resources must be set aside for implementation.

• The MIS are vying to do it In-House. Insufficient testing and assessment of software's to make a decision. Most demo units are not full system.

• Computerizing the maintenance function is a cultural change to most maintenance departments.

• Not able to assess and document their needs.

THE NEEDS
Competition is found everywhere in industry today. In an effort to compete, all forms of production management tools are being used. Quality tools, productivity tools, and cost saving tools are some of these techniques being used. One area many industries are now turning their attention toward is the maintenance function.

An effective maintenance management program improves production and results in savings in maintenance time and costs. Well-maintained equipment also usually produces a consistent product of more dependable quality with resulting production savings. A more subtle form of savings occurs through improved equipment life and resale value.

Potential savings of this nature will offer sufficient motivation to justify the installation of a computerized maintenance management system. The type of CMMS will depend on the nature of the operation.

• The safety factor
  Fires in the airport have been attributed to bad maintenance. Many facilities have to review their maintenance system if there are to bring creditability to their maintenance departments.

• The ISO factor
  Many manufacturing companies are implementing ISO. A maintenance system is now a under ISO 9002.

• The productivity factor
  In an effort to have an edge over their competitors, many companies are turning toward Total Quality Management (TQM) of which Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is a major program. One of the key element in TPM is a maintenance system.

• The cost factor
  An effective maintenance management program results in savings in maintenance time and costs, improves productivity and reduces cost of rejects or wastages. This lowers the unit cost of a product.

With the emphasis of IT in every aspects of business in today management, maintenance managers and engineers are without excuses in not computerizing their maintenance functions. Those companies that can significantly reduce the selection time and get started with CMMS will undoubtedly be the winners.

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