CMMS and you...

After 30-plus years in some type of maintenance role, I find it very interesting how the whole PM system has grown and yet has a long way to go. It seems that many companies, either large or small, still do not see the importance of a strong Maintenance Program to protect their assets ...and that includes their people and the environment. Some of the reasons I have read about (or people that I have had conversations with: Maintenance Managers, Facility Managers, and top Executive opinion) are the most common reasons cited to explain this - a lack of sufficient resources. For me, that is just an excuse for not understanding the cause and effect of, not doing. What ever happened to, "if there is a will there is a way" ?

Let’s just talk about ENERGY and HVAC and the effects and consequences, when not maintained. The approach to maintenance with respect to HVAC systems is particularly troubling, given the role that HVAC systems play in today’s facilities. HVAC systems in typical commercial buildings are responsible for more than 40 percent of total energy use. Keeping HVAC systems running properly and at peak efficiency is the first step in managing facility energy use. Take a facility that houses critical equipment that must maintain a certain temperature and humidity. Temperatures and humidity levels that fall outside of this range can lead to interruption in services and even costly system failures. Sometimes the difference between keeping a business running and having to shut down is nothing more than having a proper HVAC maintenance plan in place and performing the required tasks. It has been said that a well maintained HVAC system will use at least 15 to 20 percent less energy than those systems that are not maintained. Not only do you cut energy usage, but other things to consider would be Safety of personnel, Environmental impact (if you have a release of gases), down-time, and the cost of a major rebuild.

Now-days, with all the talk about Green and Energy, why not have a Maintenance Management System in place? Or, if you do have a Maintenance Management System, how are you using it? With all the Energy cost savings plans that are in place and because of the economic crunch that everyone is going through, is now the time to take the opportunity to look at what you are doing with your resources ...and how better to redirect your efforts for cost savings? Whether it be an Audit of your Maintenance System, an Energy Audit using an outside source (that by the way is free in most states), contact your energy provider for the details. The key to all of this is a strong CMMS, by strong I mean having a good data base with asset information, PM tasks and schedule, vendor and parts list, critical equipment backup information, the list could go on and on... Which gets back to the first comment that I made, PM systems have grown over the past 30 years, but they still have a long way to go. Not only do CMMS companies need to grow with the times, but you as an owner of a CMMS package, you need to unlock the potential that you have at your disposal. The number of companies that have a CMMS use about 30 to 40 percent of what is available to them. In the long-run, the effort that is taken will pay for its self by reducing down-time, costly repairs and time wasted (of the recourses you already have).

What this all boils down to is, how well you manage your assets.  And that will effect the Energy we use, the Environment, and the all-important "Bottom Line".  

Call 1-800-388-3268 (or +1-262-241-3845) for more information.Sales@EagleCMMS.com or Support@EagleCMMS.com
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