Glossary
Some of the most common terms relating to CMMS software and maintenance that professionals are looking to gain further insight to.
A
ABC Cycle Counting
This article explores the benefits of using ABC cycle counting, common challenges faced during implementation, and best practices for improving accuracy.
Annualized Failure Rate (AFR)
Understand Annualized Failure Rate (AFR), how to calculate it, and how it impacts equipment reliability, maintenance planning, and lifecycle costs.
Asset Criticality
Asset criticality is the relative importance of assets to a business in order to prioritize maintenance efforts and allocate resources more effectively
Asset Maintenance History
See how an asset's maintenance history provides valuable insights into the performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, helping to guide maintenance.
Asset Management
Learn about asset management: the systematic approach to governance, value realization through asset tracking, preventive maintenance, and lifecycle management.
Asset Tracking
See how Asset tracking is a fundamental aspect of any organization's operations, and how CMMS software play a pivotal role in the process.
Asset Utilization
Optimizing asset utilization is vital to achieving operational efficiency and profitability for a company's reliability, operations, and maintenance managers
Autonomous Maintenance (AM)
Autonomous Maintenance empowers operators to be responsible for maintaining their equipment, leading to improved reliability, availability, and productivity.
Availability
Definition of equipment availability, its importance, the key factors that affect it, and practical strategies for improving availability in operations
B
Backlog
This article will explore the causes of a maintenance backlog and provide strategies for effectively managing it.
Bill of Materials (BOM)
A Bill of Materials (BOM) helps organizations effectively plan for preventive maintenance by providing a detailed, accurate list of parts and components
Breakdown Maintenance
Breakdown maintenance is a reactive approach to asset management where repairs or replacements occur only after equipment malfunctions or breaks down
C
Capacity Utilization
Capacity Utilization measures how effectively production equipment, labor, and materials are deployed to improve productivity and reduce costs
Cloud-Based CMMS Software
See how Cloud-based CMMS software offers several advantages over traditional on-premises software, from increased efficiency, productivity, and cost savings
CMMS Change Management Plan
A change management plan outlines a step-by-step approach to ensuring a smooth CMMS rollout while addressing the unique challenges faced by a business
CMMS Coordinator
This article will delve into the roles and responsibilities of a CMMS Coordinator, the qualifications required, the benefits of having one, and the tools they utilize.
Continuous Improvement
Read how continuous improvement is a mindset and commitment to regularly making small, incremental changes that lead to significant benefits over time
Corrective maintenance
Corrective maintenance aims to "correct the issue" and restore equipment to its normal operating condition as quickly and efficiently as possible
D
Deferred Maintenance
See how to efficiently track, manage, and report on deferred maintenance, reducing downtime risks, optimizing resources, and improving asset management
Digital Twins
Read how Digital twins are transforming asset management by providing real-time insights, enabling predictive maintenance, and improving decision-making
Downtime
This article aims to provide an in-depth understanding of downtime in the context of CMMS, exploring its causes, effects, and strategies for minimization.
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Economic Life
An asset's Economic life is reached when maintenance costs become higher than replacement costs and it is no longer economically viable to operate
EHS Software
EHS software helps organizations manage their environmental, critical employee health, and safety responsibilities more effectively and efficiently
Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) Software
Learn what Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software is, how it optimizes asset performance, improves maintenance, and boosts operational efficiency across industries
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)
EHS encompasses many issues, including occupational safety, hazardous material handling, environmental protection, and compliance with regulatory standards
Equipment Depreciation
Equipment depreciation is the accounting practice of gradually reducing a physical asset’s book value over its economic life due to regular use and obsolescence
Equipment Hierarchy
In this glossary entry, we will delve into the concept of Equipment Hierarchy, its importance, and how it is implemented in a CMMS.
Equipment Lifecycle
See how understanding equipment lifecycle is essential for effective equipment management and how CMMS software plays a pivotal role in its evaluation.
F
Facilities Maintenance Management Software
Facilities maintenance management software provides insights to significantly improve maintenance operations, cost savings, and overall facility performance
Facility Management Solutions
See how understanding and implementing facility management solutions can lead to significant operational improvements, efficiencies, and cost savings
Failure Codes
Classifying an issue or work order with failure codes removes the human effort when mining maintenance data for patterns and repeat issues.
Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
See how Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) can help identify and mitigate potential failure modes within a system, product, or process.
Fault Detection
Read how fault detection helps identify abnormal conditions or performance deviations in machinery, equipment, or systems that may indicate a potential failure
Fault Tree Analysis
Learn Fault Tree Analysis (FTA): a systematic method to identify and prevent system failures. Explore steps, benefits, applications, and real-world example
FIFO & LIFO
Learn the key differences between FIFO and LIFO inventory methods, their pros, cons, and impact on accounting, taxes, and maintenance operations efficiency
Fishbone Diagrams
Fishbone diagrams are used to identify the root cause of an issue. They relate the “what happened” to the “why did this happen”.
G
Gantt Chart
Learn how Gantt charts simplify maintenance project planning, track progress, and improve team coordination for maintenance leaders, planners, and schedulers
Gemba
Read how Gemba leads to better decision-making, more robust communication, and a culture of continuous improvement that drives operational excellence
Greasing Rounds
See why proper lubrication minimizes wear, reduces friction, and prevents premature failures, helping maintain equipment efficiency and reliability
Grounds Maintenance
See how a CMMS simplifies grounds maintenance tasks, enabling facilities and maintenance managers to ensure outdoor areas are always in optimal condition
H
Hazardous Area Classification
Hazardous area classification (HAC) involves identifying and categorizing areas where flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or combustible dust are present
HAZOP
HAZOP helps organizations improve safety, prevent accidents, and enhance operational reliability by identifying potential deviations from normal conditions
Health Monitoring
Discover the benefits of asset health monitoring. Learn how real-time data, predictive analytics, and IoT improve performance, reduce downtime, and cut costs
Heavy Equipment Maintenance
Heavy machinery is often a significant investment, so proper maintenance is critical to equipment longevity, minimizing downtime, and preventing costly repairs
Hot Work Permits
Hot work permits outline the purpose, safety requirements, key components, and responsibilities of various stakeholders involved in hot work activities
I
Idle Time
Idle time refers to periods when assets are not actively working, even though they are operationally ready, due to controllable and uncontrollable factors
Incident Reporting
Incident reporting is the formal documention of any event that disrupts regular operations or poses a risk to an organization's people, property, or processes
Industry 4.0
Read how Industry 4.0 is changing the landscape of manufacturing, production, and supply chain management on an unparalleled scale.
Industry 5.0
Read how Industry 5.0 is the next phase of digital transformation, marked by the integration of disruptive technologies like AI, IoT, and advanced robotics.
Inspection Work Orders
See how inspection work orders ensure equipment stays in peak condition, avoiding costly breakdowns, minimizing unplanned downtime, and maximizing availability
Internet of Things (IoT)
See how the Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the way we interact with the world around us, including how IoT has transformed CMMS software.
Inventory Management
This article will dissect these aspects, providing a detailed understanding of how CMMS can revolutionize inventory management processes.
Inventory Turnover
Learn about Maintenance Inventory Turnover, its role in optimizing inventory levels, reducing costs, and ensuring timely access to essential maintenance parts
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K
Kaizen
Kaizen, a Japanese term meaning "change for the better" or "continuous improvement," is a foundational concept in Lean Manufacturing and business management.
Kitting and Staging Parts
Parts kitting refers to gathering all necessary parts, tools, and materials for a specific maintenance job before the work begins, ensuring everything is ready
L
Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR)
Explore the fundamentals of LDAR, regulatory framework governing it, technologies used for leak detection, and best practices for successful implementation
Lean Maintenance
Lean Maintenance is a systematic approach to maintaining equipment and facilities that minimizes waste, improves efficiency, and ensures reliability
Lean Manufacturing
Lean Manufacturing is a systematic approach to streamlining production processes by eliminating waste, improving efficiency, and delivering customer value
Level of Repair Analysis (LORA)
Level of Repair Analysis (LORA) is a decision-making process identifying the most cost-effective and efficient asset maintenance approach for physical assets
Life-Cycle Costs (LCC)
Using Life-Cycle Costs can help operations and finance leaders ensure better decision-making, improve asset performance, and reduce total ownership costs
Lights Out Manufacturing
Robots and machines handle production tasks from start to finish, allowing the facility to operate 24/7 without needing lighting, heating, or human supervision
Lockout Tagout (LOTO)
Lockout Tagout is a critical procedure that protects against hazardous energy releases, ensuring the safety of all personnel involved in equipment maintenance
M
Maintenance Scheduling
This article will delve into the intricate details of maintenance scheduling and the role of CMMS in streamlining this process.
Maintainability
Enhance equipment maintainability with practical tips on design, installation, and maintenance strategies to reduce downtime, and costs, and improve reliability
Maintenance Logbooks
Maintenance logbooks are vital tools for manufacturing orgs as they provide critical insights for maintenance, reliability, and continuous improvement managers
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO)
Learn what Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) is, its importance in business, and how effective MRO practices can improve efficiency and reduce downtime
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
This article will explore the definition, calculation process, applications, and strategies to improve MTBF and system reliability.
Mean Time To Failure (MTTF)
MTTF is a statistical measure that estimates the average operational time non-repairable systems or components function before experiencing failure
Mean Time To Repair (MTTR)
Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) is the average time it takes to repair a system. It is a vital metric for any organization where equipment uptime impacts revenue.
Meter-Based Preventive Maintenance
Meter-based preventive maintenance schedules activities based on actual asset usage or performance data, leading to better asset performance and cost savings
Multi-Site CMMS
Multi-site functionality gives organizations the ability to add multiple locations to one single CMMS while keeping the data at those locations separated.
N
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
Non-Destructive Testing involves testing materials, components, or structures without causing damage, allowing assets to remain in service while being evaluated
Non-Stock Items
Non-Stock Items typically include specialized tools, infrequently used parts, custom components, or materials needed for specific maintenance or repair tasks
O
Oil Analysis
Oil analysis is routine maintenance that examines a sample of oil from equipment to identify contaminants, assess wear, and measure lubricant degradation
On-Premise CMMS Software
On-premise CMMS software is hosted on local servers, often within a company's data centers or dedicated facilities, and managed by the internal IT team
Operator-Based Maintenance (OBM)
Discover the benefits of Operator-Based Maintenance. Learn how empowering operators with routine maintenance tasks improves efficiency, reliability, and uptime
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) indicates how effectively equipment is utilized by considering three key factors: availability, performance, and quality
P
P-F Curve and P-F Interval
Understand the P-F Curve and P-F Interval in predictive maintenance. Learn how they help identify failure points and extend asset life for optimal performance
Pareto Analysis
Pareto Analysis is a problem-solving technique that helps prioritize actions by identifying the most significant factors contributing to an issue.
Parts Room Cycle Counting
Discover cycle counting best practices, tools, and strategies to optimize maintenance spare parts inventor, reduce carrying costs, and minimize asset downtime
PDCA Cycle in Maintenance Management
See how the PDCA iterative method that facilitates continuous improvement in processes and problem-solving can be used to optimize maintenance operations
Physical Asset Management
See how physical asset management relates to maintaining assets, proactive maintenance, and reliability in achieving maximum productivity and effectiveness
Pick Lists
See how creating pick lists in CMMS software is essential to improve efficiency and productivity when executing preventive maintenance work orders
Planned Maintenance Percentage (PMP)
Discover how Planned Maintenance Percent (PMP) helps optimize maintenance schedules, reduce unexpected downtime, and boost equipment reliability and efficiency
Predictive Maintenance (PdM)
See how predictive maintenance enables organizations to plan for maintenance activities to minimize downtime, reduce maintenance costs, and extend asset life.
Prescriptive Maintenance (RxM)
Explore how prescriptive maintenance predicts issues and provides solutions to reduce downtime, optimize performance, and prevent costly equipment failures
Preventive Maintenance Compliance
Learn how to calculate preventive maintenance compliance, overcome challenges, and implement best practices, thus improving equipment reliability and downtime
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is a ruggedized computer designed to control machinery, monitor inputs and outputs, and make logic-based decisions
Q
Quality Assurance (QA)
Discover the essentials of quality assurance (QA): its principles, best practices, tools for ensuring product reliability, and impact on customer satisfaction
Quality Control (QC)
Learn the importance of quality control, its impact on customer satisfaction, reducing product liability, and ensuring consistent, reliable products
Quality Maintenance
Discover the essentials of Quality Maintenance: ensure optimal equipment performance, reduce downtime, and enhance product quality with effective strategies
R
RAMS Framework: Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety
Explore the RAMS framework: Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety. Learn its principles, applications, and benefits for system performance
Ranking Index for Maintenance Expenditures (RIME)
Learn how the Ranking Index for Maintenance Expenditures (RIME) helps prioritize tasks, optimize budgets, enhance reliability, and improve asset management efficiency
Reliability Engineering
Explore reliability engineering: principles, methods, and tools to enhance system performance, minimize failures, and ensure long-term success across industries
Reliability Performance Indicators (RPI)
Explore key Reliability Performance Indicators (RPIs) to measure and improve asset performance, minimize downtime, and optimize maintenance strategies
Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM)
Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) can significantly contribute to operational success and asset longevity with the right approach, tools, and commitment
Remaining Useful Life (RUL)
Discover what Remaining Useful Life (RUL) is, how to calculate it, its importance, challenges, and ways to extend asset life for better efficiency and cost savings
Remote Terminal Unit (RTU)
Learn what a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) is, how it works, its applications in SCADA systems, key benefits, and future trends in industrial automation
Residual Value
Learn what residual value is, how it’s calculated, and why it matters in leasing, accounting, and asset management. Understand its impact on financial decisions
Risk-Based Maintenance (RBM)
This article will explore the fundamentals of RBM, its benefits, the steps to implement it, and how CMMS Software can support its execution and impact
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a systematic troubleshooting process for identifying the underlying causes of problems or failures, leading to lasting improvements
Run-to-failure maintenance strategy (RTF)
See how run-to-failure maintenance can be a cost-effective strategy for non-critical assets or those with a low impact on operations.
S
Saas CMMS
Discover what SaaS CMMS is and how it transforms maintenance management. Learn how this cloud-based software improves efficiency, reduces downtime, and cuts costs
Safety Stock
Maintenance safety stock is a reserve inventory of spare parts kept to ensure that unplanned maintenance activities can be performed without interruption
Salvage Value
Learn about salvage value, its role in depreciation, and how to calculate it. Understand why it's crucial for accounting, taxes, and investment decisions
Scada Systems
Read how SCADA systems collect data from sensors, devices, and equipment across a facility to manage, control and automate machines and processes
Schedule Compliance
Learn about Schedule Compliance, a vital maintenance KPI measuring adherence to schedules, its calculation, importance, and strategies to improve efficiency
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Read why Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are vital for setting clear expectations for performance, ensuring accountability, and measuring results
Shutdown Maintenance
Shutdown Maintenance involves the planned and temporary cessation of production activities to perform maintenance, upgrades, or inspections on equipment
Six Sigma
See how focusing on data-driven decisions and continuous improvement, companies can substantially improve quality, customer satisfaction, and profitability
Statistical Process Control (SPC)
Learn about Statistical Process Control (SPC): a powerful method to monitor, control, and improve processes, ensuring quality, efficiency, and cost savings
Stockouts
Understand maintenance spare parts inventory stockouts: their causes, impacts on operations, and customer satisfaction, and strategies to prevent them
T
Thermography
Thermography, or Thermal imaging, helps identify potential equipment faults by using infrared cameras to detect heat patterns and temperature variations
Time-Based Preventive Maintenance
See how time-based preventive maintenance is scheduled at regular intervals, regardless of the asset’s condition, to prevent failures before they occur
Total Asset Management (TAM)
Total Asset Management is a strategic approach to optimize asset performance, reduce costs, manage risks, and ensure sustainability throughout the lifecycle
Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) seeks to achieve perfect production by involving all employees in maintaining and improving equipment performance
Total Quality Management (TQM)
Discover the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) to enhance organizational efficiency, improve customer satisfaction, and foster continuous improvement
U
Ultrasonic testing (UT)
Ultrasonic testing (UT) is a nondestructive testing (NDT) technique used to inspect materials and structures for internal flaws such as cracking and corrosion
Universal Maintenance Standards (UMS)
Explore universal maintenance standards, their importance in ensuring safety, efficiency, compliance across industries, and best practices for implementation
Unplanned Maintenance
Learn about unplanned maintenance causes, impact on operations, and strategies to reduce downtime. Improve equipment reliability and avoid costly breakdowns
Unscheduled Maintenance
Learn how to manage unscheduled maintenance effectively with strategies to reduce downtime, optimize resources, enhance safety, and improve efficiency
Uptime
Understanding uptime and how it is influenced by various factors is crucial for any organization that relies on machinery or equipment to carry out its operations.
Usage-Based Maintenance
Usage-Based Maintenance (UBM) tailors maintenance activities based on actual equipment usage rather than a fixed schedule, improving operational efficiency
Useful Life
Discover useful life: how assets are valued, factors affecting lifespan, and tips for maximizing efficiency and sustainability in various industries
V
Value Engineering
Discover value engineering: a method to improve products, processes, and systems by optimizing function, reducing costs, and enhancing overall efficiency
Value Stream
Discover how Value Stream Mapping optimizes workflows, reduces waste, and boosts efficiency by visualizing processes and aligning them with customer value
Vendor Managed Inventory
Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) is an inventory management strategy in which the supplier or vendor manages inventory levels at the customer’s facility
Vessel Maintenance Management Systems
Discover how Vessel Maintenance Management Systems streamline maintenance, improve safety, ensure compliance, and boost efficiency in the maritime industry
Vibration Analysis
See how vibration analysis has become an important tool in a maintenance professional's arsenal for increasing equipment reliability and minimizing downtime.
Vibration Sensors
Understanding Vibration Sensors: How they work, their applications, and benefits for monitoring machinery and equipment to optimize maintenance efficiency
W
Web-Based CMMS
Discover what web-based CMMS is, its history, how it works, benefits over on-premise systems, and future trends in maintenance management technology
Weibull Analysis
Weibull Analysis gives insights into product reliability that help organizations make informed decisions about maintenance, product design, and risk management
Work Order
This article will explore maintenance work orders' purpose, types, benefits, and aspects. We'll also explore how to leverage work orders for efficiency.
Work Order Management Software
Learn how Work Order Management Software streamlines maintenance, boosts efficiency, automates tasks, and enhances asset reliability for seamless operations
Work Order Scheduler
Discover how a CMMS Work Order Scheduler streamlines maintenance, boosts productivity, automates tasks, and ensures efficient resource allocation for optimal uptime
Work Permit System
Work Permits provide a structured approach to managing potentially hazardous tasks, ensuring all safety precautions are in place before work begins
Work Requests
See how CMMS software can enhance operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve asset reliability by effectively managing work requests in one location
Wrench Time
Read how wrench time is vital for optimizing operations, reducing costs, maximising productivity, and ensuring maintenance tasks are completed effectively
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