Maintenance Work order system

I have had minimal experience with TMA and have never heard SchoolDude.  From the experience I have over the years researching maintenance computer, you need to find the best system that will work for what you need. 

I hate to say it, but cost is not just the initial cost of the system but also the maintenance and how it will work within your environment.  If you really think and have the information to back up your stance on what you need, I would suggest that you move forward with it.  In talking with other companies that have installed systems it could go one of three ways - either the system will exceed expectations, you will get ok results or it will become a hinderance to your operations. 

I am sure you know all of that already and I hope that somone has specific knowledge about each program to help you make a final decision.  If it were me and I was convinced that the other system was the best overall choice, I would try and find a way to prove that to the people controlling the funds.  Good luck as I know that the situation can not be easy in this environment.

Thanks  Eric

Over here at Daily Operations we have coined a new and more appropriate term; DMMS, Dynamic Maintenance Management Systems. Our slogan is "Move over CMMS, DMMS is moving in."

The special thing we do is get the program out of your computer and into your building. We develop weekly PM inspection routes that connect to the work order system and drill down for the highest level of optimization your building can have. Our methods inherently create a facilities assessment report while making things really happen.

I am excited. At 60 years old I have finally put together the combination of a management program and the real world of building operation in an economical package. The greenest building is the one you have and we make it work.

Bernie

We have been stuck with our current system due to novell network this summer moving to mindows network. Due to this reviewing products to establish budget. I need a system web based and both systems are capable to that and other necessary functions. At first glace TMA has a lot more to offer but I am sure the cost more also due to features. I was mainly looking for somone with exteriance with either systems that could let me know the positives and negatives of both systems. I have had the demonstation of the TMA system and was impressed with system. I have not had a chance to look at the other option except web.

Thank you for the information!!!

Thanks for information

Hi, All -

We use Facility Wizard's work order system, which also includes a lease management program and preventative maintenance program.  It's very reasonable in cost and user friendly. 

I've been an end user of School Dude.  It seems a bit complicated, but that's just from the user's standpoint. 

Lisa Chappell | Vice President Facilities Management | Mission Federal Credit Union | Ph: 858-546-2002 | Email: lisac@missionfcu.org

I could never find a system I liked so I developed my own.  I am not recommending you go down that path but I can maybe suggest some questions to ask.

·      Who are the customers?
Is it staff or even students reporting repairs, upgrades, etc. or is it Preventative Maintenance work orders?  Usually its a combination but you need to know the balance.  I.e a CMMS for a Power plant is mostly PM driven and the customer is in effect the maintenance worker.  But when a teacher wants to report a light out they need a simple way to submit the work order and all they care about is the light getting fixed.

·      What is the makeup of the maintenance staff?
1 person with a tool box, 25 people with an industrial shop, Contractors.

·      Do you have a dedicated help desk receptionist?  I developed my system to eliminate this position.
I.e. how are the work orders going to get to the maintenance worker?

·      What do you need to track?  Don’t track anything you do not need to track.  If all that matters is that the light was fixed in a timely manner then don’t have every inventory item accounted to the work order.  I have worked in a unique environment managing facilities maintenance alongside aircraft maintenance.  Unlike most facilities, aircraft maintenance is very detailed; but to manage this level of detail the have enormous staffs which we rarely have in facilities.

My first recommendation is to get the simplest and most user friendly system that will meet your needs.  Most organizations I have seen never get beyond the basics even thou there CMMS can do it all.

Second is to get help with the implementation, work through each process and know how the work orders will flow before you start; then implement quickly.  Most importantly involve the maintenance staff.  If they don’t have a sense of ownership the best of systems will most likely fail.

Ron,

I read your reply and then your Bio. My kickoff into this industry cam in 1967 when I joined the Navy with a plan become a Journalist and eventually an English Teacher. The Navy made me a Boilerman and I have been running power plants, buildings, and exchanging heat in some manner even since. You are right about being crazy to take the job. A long time ago a freind told me that most organizations looked upon maintenance as a necessary evil. Then he asked if the difference between evil and necessary evil.

Your second recommendation needs to be BOLD. My company treats a building the same as a power plant. We establish walk through routes for equipment inspection as part of the implementation. In doing this all of the equipment data is gathered and entered at the onset. The user is not left with a hollow shell to fill. We work with the staff and get buy in with a developmental focus on the "Route".  The process takes place over three weeks, but actually only four or five days. During this time the "Routes" help us create work orders based on deferred maintenance findings and we drill down toward full optimization of the facility. There is noticeable change by the third week and a final report is given. If the facility does not have personnel resources I can provide staff to continue the Routes economically anywhere in the country.

CMMS has traditionally been a bunch or empty boxes handed over to the user. We like to call our system DMMS (Dynamic Maintenance Management Systems).

"Move over CMMS, DMMS is moving in."

Thank you, Bernie

Not to over load you with options, but I am familiar with another software program by the name of "Vektr" by the Hillyard Company.  This program has work order capabilities as well as CQI reporting.  It is a windows based program that is compatable with PDA's.  From my understanding I hear it is a more user friendly and customizable system than SchoolDude.  Check out http://cms.hillyard.vektr.com

Good Luck with your decision making!

Keith

Ron's post on 5/6 was right on the money.

A couple of additional considerations:

1. Number of users, including managers, planners, engineers, buyers and techs? (seat costs)

2. Will this be a local app or a centralized system supporting multiple remote locations over the web?

3. What is the expected transaction volume, including work order entry and closure, pm work scheduled by the system, equipment infomation, etc.?

4. The information from item 3 will help you determine the robustness of the required databases (access, sequal, etc)

5. Will the system be used as the basis for a payroll interface for your techs?

6. Understand the hidden cost of the system:  dot level amd major upgrades, tech support costs, customization costs, licensing (seats), hardware requirements (expecially if the system will be server based)

7. Do you want to include the ability to track vibration alanysis and other Predictive Mx information?

8.  The absolute most important question:  What information do you want out of the system to help you with budgeting and running other aspects of the business?  Without this in hand your fodder for a software saleman.

Good luck, lot's to consider.  One step at a time..