FEATURE
CMMS – Cloud-based versus on-site installs Most CMMS applications fall under two categories: on-site and cloud-based. BY PETER PHILLIPS Computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) are a hot topic for many corporations and maintenance departments. Maintenance departments may be looking to purchase their first CMMS or upgrading their current maintenance software. Maintenance departments use different tools and resources to maintain equipment, one of the crucial ones is CMMS. Both on-site and cloud-based CMMS solutions are designed to provide an application that can plan and track equipment maintenance. 10 MRO / Winter 2023
Typically, when people think of software, the concept is, there’s an application, you install it on a computer, phone, or tablet, and use it. When a user installs software, it’s typically tied to the device. In the case of a traditional CMMS, it’s deployed onsite and is tied to the on-site hardware and is deployed on each computer across the organization. Cloud-based solutions are entirely the opposite. The application is not tied to the company’s hardware and resources. With cloud-based systems users can access the application on any device that has an Internet
connection. With cloud-based systems, fewer IT resources are required as the cloud-based solutions don’t need maintenance – everything is done by the vendor through a support contract. Finally, cloud-based solutions are typically cheaper to implement and operate.
Benefits of a cloud-based CMMS Unrestricted access
Users are not tied to the premise or the workshop, they can access the app from anywhere and whenever the work requires them to. In contrast, older CMMS requires them to be present on the site.
Device access
Apps can be accessed from smartphones and tabloids, users only need to log-in and have an Internet connection. The maintenance planner, supervisor and technicians can use their mobile devices or workstations to keep track of the maintenance MROMAGAZINE.COM
Photo: PaulShlykov / Adobe Stock
SOFTWARE
