5 Steps to CMMS Success

As automation becomes ubiquitous in modern distribution operations, proactive system maintenance is critical to maximize asset performance, uptime, equipment longevity and return on investment. 

Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) is a critical component of any proactive lifecycle management program, collecting and analyzing relevant data to secure equipment availability, improve labor efficiency and streamline parts inventory.

But before end users can collect on the promise of a CMMS, they must complete a successful implementation. By following five essential steps, customers can achieve a successful implementation and begin capitalizing on the software’s efficiency-maximizing, cost-saving benefits. 

1. Obtain sufficient amounts of quality data
   
   The effectiveness of a CMMS application is contingent upon the quality of its data. The amount of data required to establish a substantial foundation for maintenance and set benchmarks for a single site can take up to seven years to accumulate. Businesses should select vendors with the material handling experience to efficiently identify, access and utilize the right data. Some experienced vendors can also provide equipment-specific data from their own systems and other manufacturers.
    
2. Extract the most value from data
   
   Since data import can involve the creation of more than 200 separate assets in the software, standardization and repeatability regarding performance indicators, equipment and process nomenclature is necessary to effectively manage maintenance functions, deliver current spare parts pricing and assign tasks according to technician expertise and location in the facility. 
    
3. Rely on a vendor with experience specific to the material handling industry for support
   
   Although several suppliers offer CMMS platforms across industries, a generalist software vendor may not have a strong understanding of manufacturing and distribution operations. Before choosing a vendor, customers should make sure a potential partner has a thorough grasp of warehouse automation and order fulfillment processes. Furthermore, sensitivity to business requirements such as peak season should be considered when scheduling implementation, maintenance and other support.
    
4. Execute implementation quickly and thoroughly  
   
   An installation typically takes two months when performed by an experienced material handling CMMS supplier. To ensure that a CMMS implementation serves to enhance, instead of disrupting an operation, establishing shared expectations and creating implementation plans tailored to scheduling requirements is critical. 
   
   A quality implementation lays the foundation for sustained success. It preserves maintenance best and can even connect with a site’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to feed human resources modules with performance reporting.
    
5. Take an active role
   
   Perhaps most importantly, a successful CMMS implementation requires full engagement from the customer. From design to training, customers should invest time and attention during each phase of the process to achieve a well-organized program and a smooth handover after implementation. Vendor and customer should also communicate regularly following handover to ensure optimal system performance. 

For more information, read the full white paper, Five steps to a successful material handling CMMS implementation. 

To subscribe to our blog and receive exclusive communications and updates from Honeywell Intelligrated, click here.