In short, CMMS is a specific category of a set of software tools designed to help manage maintenance issues in and around facilities.  CMMS stands for “Computerized Maintenance Management Software” and is a little brother to a bigger category of software known as EAM or “Enterprise Asset Management” software.

The CMMS software category is comprised of a very diverse set of programs.  Software programs that are under the CMMS title umbrella handle many different things, including: Word Order Tracking, Preventative Maintenance, Asset Management, Inventory Tracking, Purchasing, Custodial Inspecting, etc.  Most CMMS software programs also allow users to see and drill down into their history logs to spot trends or places to improve the maintenance process.

In general, CMMS software is moving towards a more flexible and mobile direction.  With great strides in the advancement in mobile devices, CMMS programs are finding themselves at home on devices like PDAs and mobile phones so that facilities professionals can make adjustments, input data or respond to requests in real-time.

CMMS software can help facilities professionals by organizing and simplifying their routines, whether daily or yearly maintenance issues are at hand.  Work orders can be processed immediately and then tracked to completion in an orderly fashion.  Housekeeping and janitorial staffs will always be sure to have the equipment and chemicals to do the job right though a CMMS software featuring automatic asset management and inventory tracking.  The removal of paper from the process also is a big step in the right direction for facilities that are looking to take a more “Green-Centric” approach to maintenance management.