Times have really changed; particularly when it comes to what management studies programs are offering their students. But an overriding feature of these programs, both past and present, is helping students put theories into practice.

One way this is done is by incorporating student presentations and projects that represent real world applications of what is being learned into its curriculum. In order to stay current with changing times, today’s management studies programs are now embracing the evolution of technology and its impact on all sectors of the business world. So, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that management students are studying the application of various business and manufacturing software applications. 

Recently, a group of students from California Lutheran University gave a presentation on computerized maintenance management software after they had they had a chance to examine and play around with an application developed by Hippo CMMS. The presenters, Christian Allen, Kendall Galdetti, Shawn Solomon and Ryan Probit developed a comprehensive presentation about the software and its application. Here, I expand on some of the points they touched on.

cmms software for schools

What’s the big attraction to CMMS?

CMMS customers who have made the switch to maintenance management software already know the answer. After being frustrated by costly and often preventable large equipment repairs and inefficient maintenance operations, business owners are now benefiting from a completely automated maintenance management system for their company operations. Among other things, CMMS platforms replace handwritten paper memos with work or parts orders generated through their system in real-time. For arena maintenance managers, this means getting rid of piles of paper needing to be filed, and more importantly, expediting work orders that would otherwise sit for hours or even days in technicians’ slot boxes. Since sports facility operations depend on functioning optimally, repair issues and parts replacements must be conducted promptly. Maintenance management software makes this happen.

The CMMS user-friendly web-based platform is another draw for customers who may otherwise shy away from software applications. The Hippo software provides a platform that makes it possible for people with minimal computer skills to access the system with a simple tap or click of a mouse on a range of devices. The CMMS system is intuitive and easy to use.

An appeal to the cost-conscious business owner is the cost effectiveness of the CMMS system itself. Hippo is available in a subscription basis providing unlimited users as well as varying levels of customer support based on a business owner’s preference and budget. Maintenance management software is also available from other CMMS vendors in subscription format as well as onsite systems that can be purchased outright but with a need to be maintained wholly by the purchasing business.

Preventive Maintenance Management 

Without CMMS software, business owners typically run their operations maintenance on a reactive basis. This means that equipment maintenance is conducted as issues arise or in other words, when a piece of equipment breaks down. Although this may be cost effective in the short run, the problem is that when things go wrong, they can go very wrong. And then, what could have been a simple maintenance undertaking turns into a very costly experience. Thinking about a hockey arena operation, consider what it would mean if a Zamboni suddenly breaks down before the big game. Depending on the problem, the consequences of an unanticipated repair of this nature could mean a delayed game or, even worse, the replacement of a very expensive piece of equipment. Preventive maintenance reduces these occurrences through routine scheduled maintenance while prolonging the life expectancies of equipment.

Maintenance management software makes it possible to schedule routine maintenance on all major company assets. Maintenance schedules can be set according to a range of indicators including manufacturer recommendations, inspection dates or prior repair histories. The PM schedules can be further fine-tuned based on equipment location or operations low usage time. Once programmed into the CMMS system, notifications of pending PM maintenance are generated and dispatched to assigned technicians. When a PM is completed, a report is created and sent to the maintenance manager. At any given time, PM reports can be reviewed and their schedules adjusted as needed.

Streamlining the work order process

The biggest overall challenge for business owners is maximizing their bottom line. By reducing maintenance costs, increasing efficiency and by maintaining optimal production cycles with the help of CMMS software, this challenge can be met. Maintenance management system includes work order software features which provides its users with a variety of tools that make the work order process seamless. Bar code scanning and photo capabilities respectively make ordering the correct part and identifying the piece of in question a very effective way of reducing errors and saving time. Access to facility blueprints that provide the precise location of equipment in need of servicing helps maintenance managers to deploy technicians in the most systematic and efficient way. As noted previously, the most valued aspect of automated work orders is its ability to generate and distribute them in real time instead of hours or days.  Considered together, CMMS makes the work order process better, easier and less prone to error.

Budget in advance for repairs and replacements

At the heart of a facility management software is work orders, which include a description of the problem and any additional information required to make the repair or complete the replacement. Because the system keeps a record of all the work that’s been done, it’s much easier to look at any one asset and predict when it’s going to need to be replaced.

Making the complex simple

The overwhelming conclusion that can be drawn from the California Lutheran University student’s presentation is that CMMS software makes complex maintenance management processes made simple. It is hard to imagine that such a powerful software system can be paired with a user-friendly platform; yet Hippo has done it. For this reason, as well as the results achieved by its growing number of customers attests to the success of its maintenance management software. That the students chose to feature the Hippo system as an example of maintenance management software in their project attests to the model of excellence that its product represents.

 

About The Author

Jonathan Davis

Jonathan has been covering asset management, maintenance software, and SaaS solutions since joining Hippo CMMS. Prior to that, he wrote for textbooks and video games.
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