A System for Maintenance Management or Asset Management?

Choosing the right Asset Management (AM) or Maintenance Management (CMMS) system is critical to meeting a company's needs. Selecting the wrong system can lead to productivity losses, increased costs, and even downtime of facilities, which can have serious consequences. To choose the right system, a company must determine how facilities should be described, consider which assets to include, the complexity of maintenance tasks, and the operational management levels the system should cover. The company should also consider functionality requirements such as processes, workflow, data types, analysis, flexibility, integration capabilities, and user-friendliness.

At A-2, we assist our clients in navigating this decision-making process. This includes advising on best practices, identifying the most suitable suppliers, conducting the procurement process, and helping with implementation and employee training. Our expertise and experience can help optimize AM and CMMS processes throughout the organization.

Three Things to Watch Out For

Few Systems Can Handle All Asset Types

Utility companies often have two asset types: (1) Facilities and (2) Pipeline and Network Systems. Few systems handle both asset types equally well. Therefore, be mindful of which system best suits your asset base.

AM and CMMS Are Not the Same

An AM system encompasses the asset's lifecycle and manages CAPEX, procurement, and risk. A CMMS system focuses on the asset's operational time based on various maintenance methods (preventive, condition-based, predictive maintenance, etc.). Some systems support both AM and CMMS features.

Company Needs Are Crucial for Success

Choosing an AM or CMMS system requires assessing the company's needs and desires for system support at the operational, tactical, and strategic management levels. AM and CMMS systems offer different capabilities, and only through a needs assessment can a successful choice be made.