Success in business and in life, no matter how it is personally defined, ultimately comes down to reducing costs and increasing efficiency. Increased efficiency allows the individual more discretionary income and leisure time, and allows the organization to maximize profit, as well as the ability to scale. It is no wonder then that 37 percent of businesses plan to implement some form of computerized maintenance management software, or CMMS, in 2018.
Here are three ways CMMS can benefit any organization, from the solo entrepreneur, to a large firm looking to scale to the next level.
1. Improved Workflow
Moving from a haphazard paper or rudimentary digital system to a CMMS platform allows for the elimination of redundant middle management and unnecessary approvals. The improved approval process that comes with automation streamlines any organization.
As a simple example, compare a traditional greasy spoon diner with a server using their own handwriting on a paper ticket pad to that of a modern restaurant where servers use digital tablets with checkboxes to send orders back to the kitchen automatically.
There is far less chance of miscommunication or reading an order wrong with the latter than the former obviously. The modern restaurant can place more responsibility in the hands of the line cook and eliminate the need for another middle management employee to approve orders between the kitchen and the server.
This improved automated workflow reduces the likelihood of error, improves the morale of the smaller, more efficient team. This simple restaurant example can be applied to just about any industry.
2. Reporting and Tracking
Using a CMMS platform makes the old adage “if it can be measured, it can be managed” a reality for any sized business. Unscalable businesses spend too much time and capital putting out spot fires, but by implementing CMMS, an organization can project into the future which allows for growth opportunity.
For instance, Jeff Wardenfelt of Carroll Lutheran Village has been able to move preventative maintenance to the front burner because he is no longer only dealing with today’s problems. This has greatly reduced overall capital outlays and adds not only to the bottom line but, more importantly, patient experience.
The centrality and automation of previous maintenance data allow managers like Jeff to see how much they’ve spent, both in terms of time, materials, and money in the past.
This allows them to anticipate how much they’ll likely spend in the future in similar conditions. Doing so means Jeff can anticipate when a machine will break and schedule work during an off-peak time, minimizing downtime and maximizing uptime.
The transparency in communication and workflow CMMS provides allows for senior management to identify dataset outliers and plug any leaks they may have.
3. Universal Cost Savings
Improved workflow, as well as the ability to measure, track, compare and contrast any metric within a business ultimately means reduced operating costs.
Any business that can reduce operating costs through increased the increased efficiency CMMS provides can reinvest into their business to scale, or simply to reduce their current stress levels.
CMMS provides tangible benefits that make it a must in 2018 for any business.