There are many choices you face when selecting a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). What functionality does the system need to have in order to achieve all of your goals? Does the system need to be configured to fit your operational processes? Is ease-of-use important for you and your team? And should you choose an on-premise or a cloud-based CMMS? 

Because each organization’s needs differ from one another, the answer to that last question may not be the same for all companies. However, there are 4 distinct benefits of a cloud-based CMMS that you should consider when making your decision. 

Accessibility

On-premise systems require your staff to be logged into your office computer. The issue with this is that most of the work performed by your technicians is done in the field, which makes accurately recording equipment information and work order status very difficult. 

Cloud-based maintenance management systems allow you and your team to track, manage, respond to, and resolve  maintenance requests from anywhere, and on any device. Without the need to run back and forth from the field to the office, your team has more time to work on tickets, perform equipment checks, evaluate asset performance, and more. With a cloud-based system, you’ll see an increase in productivity and morale.

Lower upfront cost

Organizations that choose an on-premise system usually have to pay for the entirety of the software upfront. While the system is technically paid for after that one-time payment, you will typically incur other costs as well. Usually, there is an annual customer service fee in case your team encounters issues, and the hardware required for the software is known to shoot up costs, too. If you choose this route, look into these expenses and ensure you’ve budgeted for them appropriately. 

On the other hand, cloud-based solutions charge an annual fee over the customer’s lifetime. This fee is much less than the upfront cost of an on-premise solution and, after the one time implementation fee, there are usually no additional expenses. While both options tend to cost the same over time, it’s important to determine whether your organization has budgeted for a large upfront cost or a smaller annual cost.

Short implementation times

Getting everything up and running for an on-premise solution takes a lot of time and energy – upwards of 2 years and hours of your team’s help. Compare that to the short 4-week implementation that a cloud-based CMMS, like FMX, offers, and you are able to put more energy into actually managing maintenance instead of implementing software.

Automatic software updates

On-premise software updates require an installation or application update, which often requires time and money. Cloud-based CMMSs are able to update automatically without any interruption to your processes, or additional costs to your organization. This allows your team to maintain high levels of productivity and reduces work on your local IT department’s end. 

Some cloud-based CMMSs, like FMX, release updates to their software so frequently that users don’t even have to press a button to update their system. These small changes occur over time so that updates to the interface never require a learning curve, and disruptions to your processes are limited.

Learn more about the benefits of CMMS software


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