QBCon Drills Deeper in the Word CMMS

Business term abbreviations are often misunderstood. If you are in the manufacturing industry you will probably recognise the abbreviation CMMS, but how much do you really know about these systems? In this article QBCon will explain why this little abbreviation can change the way you manage your plant.

Computerised
The first workstation computers changed the face of business management forever. These wonderful creations save employees hours that would have been spent pen pushing and filing.
Workstation computers increase productivity, because most business processes can be automated. Employees can multi-task, thereby making the most of their hours at work.

Not only do computers save the company precious man-hours, they also improve communication between associates. Employees can access each other’s information instantly from anywhere in the world. Instant access to information allows for quicker, more responsible decision-making based on updated information.

Maintenance
Routine maintenance plays a large part in the prevention of unnecessary downtime and production loss. Each component in a machine has its own lifecycle and needs to be maintained. A busy plant environment doesn't often allow time for checking components that might need servicing.

A maintenance schedule is pivotal to preventative maintenance. A CMMS will issue job-cards, inform the manager when parts need to be ordered and update each part's maintenance schedule. Because maintenance is fully automated, managers no longer need to assign staff members to check machines or take stock. Maintenance can also be planned around production time, saving a plant thousands in production losses.

Management
On a factory floor various components need to be managed. With a CMMS managing stock and services becomes easy. Because a CMMS keeps track of services and breakages managers can determine when it is no longer financially viable to repair a faulty machine. Replacing machines that will continue to break can save the plant thousands in parts and man-hours.
Managing stock through a CMMS also allows for better cash-flow management. Having enough stock and parts will ensure that production can continue uninterrupted while cash is never tied up in unnecessary stock.

Knowing exactly when each part needs to be serviced will ensure that the person with the necessary skills is available when the service is scheduled. Managers can also keep track of which specialist worked on a particular service. Staff members can therefore be held accountable for services.

System
A system refers to the integration of different parts to form one practical, functional unit. In a plant, this means integrating administration, finance, personnel and hardware maintenance and managing all these aspects from one central point. A system is more consistent, because there is very little room for human error.

A system also allows for instant, detailed reporting, simplifying decision making on a management level.

Combining computers, maintenance and management in one automated process will revolutionise the way your plant does business.

Quality
Business solution provider QBCon offers a CMMS with a difference. Q-CMMS integrates the various aspects of your plant by custom-building a CMMS around the unique needs of your plant. By designing a CMMS around the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) requirements for your plant, Q-CMMS ensures that you can prove that your plant maintains the highest standards throughout the production process.

Investing in a CMMS allows plant managers to increase productivity, increase profit through scheduled maintenance and keep their fingers on the pulse of their department. Q-CMMS will take your business to the next level by ensuring that you can prove the quality of your manufacturing process while running your plant like a well-oiled machine.