A CMMS (computerized maintenance management system) is software that keeps a database of a site's assets and maintenance work. It schedules preventive tasks, manages work orders, and tracks spare parts and maintenance history.
Core CMMS functions are an asset register (what equipment exists, where, and its hierarchy), work orders (requested, planned, done), preventive maintenance schedules by calendar or meter, spare parts inventory, and reporting on costs and history. Technicians often use it from a phone or tablet on the floor.
The CMMS matters for analytics because it holds the maintenance history: what failed, when, and what was done. Predictive maintenance models need that history as labels. In practice, free-text notes, vague failure codes, and missing records often limit what can be learned.
CMMS and EAM (enterprise asset management) overlap. EAM usually covers the full asset life cycle across sites, including purchasing and finance. A CMMS focuses on maintenance execution at the site. Linking the CMMS to condition monitoring so that alarms automatically create work orders is a common integration step.
Questions about CMMS
What is the difference between a CMMS and an EAM?
The two overlap. An EAM, or enterprise asset management system, usually covers the whole asset life cycle across sites, including purchasing and finance. A CMMS concentrates on carrying out maintenance at the site.
Why does a CMMS matter for predictive maintenance?
It holds the maintenance history: what failed, when, and what was done about it. Predictive maintenance models use that history as labels. Free-text notes, vague failure codes and missing records often limit what can be learned from it.
Can a CMMS be connected to condition monitoring?
Yes. Linking the two so that an alarm automatically creates a work order is a common integration step.
Related terms
Predictive maintenance
Predictive maintenance is maintenance triggered by a prediction of failure, based on measured equipment condition such as vibration, temperature, or noise.
Condition monitoring
Condition monitoring is the ongoing measurement of machine parameters such as vibration, temperature, or oil quality to detect significant changes that indicate a developing fault.
Root cause analysis
Root cause analysis (RCA) is a structured method for finding the underlying cause of a failure or defect, so the corrective action prevents recurrence instead of only treating the symptom.
MES (manufacturing execution system)
An MES (manufacturing execution system) is software that manages and records production on the shop floor.
Prescriptive maintenance
Prescriptive maintenance is a maintenance approach that goes beyond predicting when equipment will fail and recommends what action to take, when, and with which resources to prevent or limit the failure.