How To Choose The Right Facility Management Software?
The engineering and maintenance departments at major facilities are often overwhelmed
by the complexities of managing and maintaining various tools, machines and equipment at the facility. The procedures and protocols vary widely. Many companies and organizations invest in facility management software such as the computerized maintenance management software (CMMS) or computer aided facility management (CAFM) to track the working and maintenance schedules of the equipment in the facility.
There are several vendors and companies which offer different varieties of facility management software products. Many managers find it challenging to identify the software that best meets needs of their organization. However, irrespective the size and type of the facility, the success of a CMMS or CAFM software depends on certain essential features. The main purpose of the facility management software is to maintain the flow of work orders. Many large facilities handle thousands of work orders each week, and may require the software to retrieve data histories and find a vendor who meets the needs of the facility. The software should also produce meaningful and easy-to-understand reports about the maintenance of various tools and machines. Many managers also hope that the facility management software will use the Internet and intranets to connect all the staff members involved with equipment maintenance and management.
Preventive care and management of the equipment is essential for improving their lifespan and efficiency over the years. The facility maintenance software should streamline the preventive maintenance schedule. Vendor communication features are also important to build a strong relationship with the vendor. This will help the personnel to generate preventive maintenance work orders easily and efficiently. Some software products also integrate accounting, purchasing and maintenance data into a single page. This helps the organization consider all the factors before making future purchases, and thereby save a lot of time and money. The software should also let you customize the features and information as per the needs of your organization.
The ultimate aim of every facility management software product is to improve the efficiency of the engineering and the maintenance department. It is usually a big investment. The managers should, therefore, consider all the requirements before making the investment. It is also important to check the credibility of the software vendor and their technical support policy as well. The time and resources required to train the staff to use the software properly, and its ease of use should also play a role in final decision-making process.