Software as a Service (SaaS) has proven to be a more efficient and economical alternative to outdated on-premise software. Gone are the days when the only way to get a computer program was through a gleaming compact disc that you had to get from a store.
One of the many industries that puts SaaS (News - Alert) into good use is the Maintenance Industry. While traditional maintenance programs used to be solely available as on-premise software, modern SaaS options for CMMS and EAM are starting to become the norm. Maintenance teams are becoming first-hand users of these cloud-based tools that improve their day-to-day activities.
Here are some specific ways a modern SaaS platform can improve your maintenance.
Asset Reliability and Performance
Shortly after the availability of software as a service, applications in maintenance have started coming up. Take Computer Maintenance Management Software (CMMS), for example. It evolved from a predominantly on-premise offering to an online service.
Automation of work orders and tasks from a maintenance perspective is still the main goal of a CMMS. However, now that it is available as a cloud-based service, it can be used across multiple device types, eventually becoming more mobile. While a CMMS was useful for asset management, the information remains localized to specific assets or processes.
An Enterprise Asset Management software extends beyond the scope of a typical CMMS. While maintenance processes remain a concern for EAM software, it also addresses other areas of day-to-day operations of a manufacturing facility.
Asset reliability and performance are critical areas where EAM software can help. It does not stop at telling you the current status of your machine. More importantly, it offers analytics to help you understand the steps to take moving forward. EAM software does this by collecting and analyzing real-time information, resulting in data-driven decisions.
Flexibility
On-premise software was notoriously infamous for limitations in upgrade accessibility, compatibility, and service offerings. If you were to subscribe to traditional software, it would most likely be for a specific version with limited opportunities for customization.
Because SaaS directly connects to the provider, it can upgrade a lot easier and more conveniently. The same can be said for scaling operations when requiring additional devices. As long as your device is on the internet, it can download any necessary software and upgrades.
When it comes to payment structures, SaaS also offers a variety of options. Most providers will offer SaaS prices with varying levels of service. It is more flexible for a company to subscribe to a service according to its current operational requirements. This structure translates to lower up-front costs, with the option to upgrade as needed.
Strengthen Maintenance Systems
The best maintenance practices work by maximizing the available resources. It is inefficient for a business to keep maintenance teams separate from the rest of its operations. Instead, a facility needs to get its internal systems to work collectively. Modern SaaS software allows for connectivity between devices and opens ways to integrate processes.
For example, improving maintenance processes can come from several areas. A cloud-based system allows a technician to access schematics, drawings, and repair standards to complete a task more accurately. Additionally, inventory management through CMMS or EAM can ensure that materials are available in time for a job. Further system integration can allow your processes to trigger external procurement where needed.
A modern SaaS platform does an excellent job of connecting parts together. In turn, this allows for efficient workflow management systems that eliminate waste and redundancies.
Predictive Capability
Unplanned downtime costs manufacturers an estimated $50 billion annually. Predictive maintenance using modern SaaS is proving to be a frontrunner in reducing this costly consequence. It is the closest we can get to foreseeing the future.
The interconnectedness of devices makes it possible to collect and analyze real-time data. Installing sensors on critical equipment allows you to collect information about the condition of an asset. These pieces of information then find their way to a central unit where the software takes them in as inputs. Machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies can then generate recommendations on whether any corrective action is needed.
Taking a predictive approach brings together the benefits of a proactive maintenance system without overspending resources. It allows teams to carry out maintenance tasks precisely when the system identifies the need.
Sharing Information
We have already mentioned the ability of modern SaaS platforms to gather information about the condition of the equipment. CMMS and EAM software can also store manuals, schematics, and specification sheets for maintenance teams to consult when performing a task.
The role of maintenance software, however, continues even after an activity. Findings from inspections or status updates from a work order find their way back into the system as more data. Examples include details about maintenance work, the total number of repairs, and total repair time.
Without the capability to collect information, organizations miss out on the opportunity to share information. Traditional on-premise software typically puts data into local repositories that are not accessible to others. SaaS, on the other hand, makes the information more readily available.
It then goes back to identifying ways to make systems better. For example, maintenance history can influence decisions on spares management. By making maintenance information available, procurement and scheduling teams can plan parts availability better.
Conclusion
Without question, Software as a Service is an industry game-changer, predicted to be worth $143.7 billion by 2022. Its explosion in the market has made software applications more accessible than ever. What used to be exclusive maintenance tools are now available on-demand, regardless of an organization's size.
Eric Whitley has 30 years of experience in manufacturing, holding positions such as Total Productive Maintenance Champion for Autoliv ASP, an automotive safety system supplier that specializes in airbags and restraint systems. He is also an expert in lean and smart manufacturing practices and technologies. Over the years, Eric has worked with all sectors of industry including Food, Timber, Construction, Chemical and Automotive to name a few. Currently, he’s a part of the L2L team.
