This means that as maintenance staff, you are under enormous pressure in your daily work. You do not only have to quickly identify the problem, fix it and manage spare parts, you should also, for example, maintain an overview of complex SAP systems. But how is it possible to overcome these challenges in the long term and minimise downtime at the same time? The answer lies in digital maintenance managers, so-called Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
Efficient incident management
Efficient incident management is crucial in order to quickly identify and resolve problems and to resume operations. Maintenance manager systems generally offer everything you need to tackle repair tasks quickly and precisely, from error logs to spare parts lists. These types of platforms enable you to create incident reports promptly and collect all information. This is also important for solving future problems, as intelligent search algorithms help to identify similar problems from the past. This allows you to find solutions and fix issues quickly, and minimises downtime and maximises productivity too.
Process optimisation
A CMMS allows you to optimise processes. Seamless integration with other company systems such as SAP enables maintenance teams to work more efficiently. Machines and data are synchronised in the maintenance manager. This enables inventory management to be automated and improves spare parts management. It also minimises tedious administrative work and ensures that the required spare parts are available on time.
In addition to optimising incident management and integration with SAP, maintenance managers also offer a range of features that have a positive impact on related processes. The centralised management of maintenance data and documentation improves the efficiency of the entire maintenance department.
Spare parts management in real time
Maintenance managers usually offer an automated management function, which gives you the option to view the spare parts stock in real time. The benefits of efficient spare parts management are numerous:
- Reduced downtime
Downtime can be minimised thanks to spare parts being quick and easy to purchase and provide. - Cost savings
Well-organised inventory management and the timely procurement of spare parts can reduce overall operating costs by avoiding expensive emergency purchases. - Improved customer satisfaction
Reliable spare parts management leads to better fulfilment of customer requirements and a higher level of service. - Optimised stock levels
Accurate inventory tracking can optimise stock levels and free up capacity that can be used for other activities.
Documentation of repair measures
The documentation of repair measures in a CMMS is not only important for immediate management of the current incident; it also has a long-term effect on the efficiency, safety and maintainability of a system. Without adequate documentation, various problems can occur:
- Lack of traceability
Without documentation, it is difficult to track repairs and determine what actions have been taken in the past. This can lead to confusion and make it difficult to identify recurring problems. - Loss of knowledge
Without documentation, important information about repair measures is lost, which can be crucial for future maintenance and repair work. This can result in inefficient or even faulty repairs. - Compliance with regulations and standards
In some industries, companies are required by law to document incidents and repair measures in order to demonstrate compliance with regulations and standards. There may be legal consequences if there is no appropriate documentation. - Loss of trust
The lack of documentation can affect the confidence of customers, partners and supervisory authorities in the reliability and transparency of a business. This can have a long-term impact on the image and reputation of a business. - Difficult training and familiarisation
New employees or technicians may find it difficult to familiarise themselves with incident management and carry out the necessary repairs without adequate documentation.
Predictive maintenance
Another advantage of CMMS is its predictive maintenance functions. These identify potential problems at an early stage. If a problem is detected, the maintenance manager notifies you before a failure occurs. This not only reduces downtime, but also enables you to plan and optimise maintenance work proactively. You can also identify trends and patterns by analysing data. This is very helpful for optimising future maintenance strategies and extending the service life of systems.
Efficient maintenance, maximum productivity with Festo AX Smartenance
In a world where standing still means losing money, you are always one step ahead with computerised maintenance management systems such as Festo AX Smartenance. Our CMMS is more than just a maintenance and incident manager. It is a comprehensive system that helps you to optimise maintenance processes and minimise malfunctions and downtime. The CMMS system offers efficient incident management, seamless integration into SAP and improvement of related processes, and thus presents a decisive competitive advantage in an increasingly digitalised world. The calculation is simple: greater productivity and profitability of the business lead to improved customer satisfaction. Test Festo AX Smartenance without obligation. Let's go!
About the author
Manuel Blume
Digital Business Marketing
Resolto Informatik GmbH / Festo SE & Co. KG
