CMMS preventive maintenance software
Asset Tracking in facilities management is an essential component of effective CMMS preventive maintenance. It involves the process of monitoring and managing physical assets within a facility or across multiple facilities. This can include equipment, machinery, tools, furniture, vehicles, and other valuable items that are critical to the operation of the facility.
The “Invisible” Money Pit
Maintenance is often viewed as an expense, but manual maintenance management is a silent profit killer. Many organisations in India still rely on paper forms, Excel sheets, and WhatsApp groups to manage high-value assets. While these tools seem “free,” the operational leakage they cause is massive.
The Cost of “Reactionary” Maintenance
When you don’t have a preventive maintenance system, you are essentially waiting for things to break. Emergency repairs cost 3x to 5x more than planned maintenance due to:
Overtime labour rates.
Expedited shipping for spare parts.
The high cost of production downtime.
Data Silos and Human Error
Manual entry is prone to mistakes. A typo in a spare part serial number or a missed service date on a hospital ventilator can lead to regulatory fines or equipment failure. Without automated CMMS features, tracking the historical performance of an asset is nearly impossible.
The Solution – Moving to Ripples-CMMS 2.0
The shift from manual to digital isn’t just about “going paperless”—it’s about gaining visibility. By integrating RTLS and CMMS, you don’t just know how to fix a machine; you know exactly where the technician and the tools are in real-time.
Here are some key aspects of asset tracking with facilities management software:
Asset Identification: Each asset needs to be uniquely identified and labelled with a barcode, RFID tag, or other tracking mechanism. This identification allows for accurate and efficient tracking throughout its lifecycle.
Inventory Management: A comprehensive inventory of assets should be maintained, including details such as asset type, location, condition, maintenance history, and ownership information. This information helps in identifying the availability and status of assets when needed.
Asset Monitoring: Tracking technologies, such as wireless mesh or GPS, can be used to monitor the real-time location and movement of assets. This enables facility managers to know the whereabouts of assets, optimise their utilisation, and prevent loss or theft.
Asset tracking in facility management
Asset tracking systems can be integrated with facility management software to schedule and track maintenance activities. By monitoring the maintenance history and machine uptime, facility managers can ensure assets are serviced regularly, reducing downtime and extending their lifespan.
RTLS asset tracking enhances security by providing real-time alerts and notifications in case of unauthorised asset movement. Geofencing capabilities can trigger alarms if assets leave designated areas. Additionally, RTLS solutions can detect tampering or unauthorised access, improving overall asset security.
RTLS asset tracking in preventive maintenance software
Asset tracking in facilities management provides insights into the lifecycle of assets, including their usage patterns, maintenance costs, and depreciation. This information helps in making informed decisions about asset replacements, upgrades, or disposals.
Asset management systems facilitate compliance with regulations and internal policies. They provide accurate records and audit trails, which are crucial for regulatory compliance and financial reporting.
Integration with Facility Management Systems: The asset tracking systems can be integrated with other facility management software, such as computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS software) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. This integration streamlines data management and improves overall operational efficiency.
Asset tracking data can be analysed to identify trends, optimise asset utilisation, and make data-driven decisions. Reports can be generated to track asset performance, preventive maintenance costs, and other key metrics.
Overall, asset tracking in facilities management improves operational efficiency, reduces costs, minimises asset downtime, and enhances security. It enables facility managers to have better control over their assets, streamline maintenance processes, and make informed decisions for optimising facility operations. Asset tracking can be enabled in facilities such as healthcare, logistics, construction, warehouse, schools and retail sectors.