World Grain - April 2023 - 52

MILLING OPERATIONS
reports/graphs, and ability to integrate into existing systems.
Each module or function carries both a program cost as well
as an implementation cost prior to realizing intended benefits
in terms of lower cost, reduced time, yield, or productivity
requirements.
As described earlier, documentation and data are required
for analysis purposes whether maintenance is presently reactive,
preventive, predictive or condition based. It will take
time and resources to collect and input the required CMMS
information as the programs blank cells do not self-populate.
Keep in mind, the CMMS is only going to be as effective as
the quality of data provided to the system during initial population,
implementation, and daily use.
It should go without saying that garbage in results in garbage
out, leading to disappointment and a negative return on
CMMS investment. It is easy to forget the importance and
upfront costs incurred with CMMS implementation, including
training and hardware needs for various modules.
Technical requirements and expectations for the CMMS
must be also considered. For example, will the data reside locally
or in the cloud? Who is allowed access? How will security
be maintained, and data loss prevented? Equally important
is the capability of CMMS to provide and receive information
with existing software and sensors. Compatibility with existing
systems is critical to success.
Operator interface is also important. The systems and hardware
must be user friendly and durable. Training including
system use and transparency with respect to data analysis and
utilization is important. Some staff may see the CMMS as an
intrusive employee tracking device primarily focused on staff
performance such as work orders completed or time per work
order, while others may turn it into a friendly competition between
maintenance staff members. It is important to create the
proper environment or the response to change in the operation
can become a barrier to implementation. As suggested earlier,
grass roots staff involvement in the selection process has
value and pays dividends in the long run.
Keys to CMMS success
Failure to examine the current maintenance status, existing
capabilities and resource required for implantation leads to
CMMS failure, frustration, and heartache, perhaps exceeding
the problems CMMS was expected to overcome. A CMMS
program alone will not provide improvement without human
input and analysis. The team at the plant level must
understand the implementation process work requirements
and management must support the investment of resources
and hold reasonable expectations for measurable financial
improvement.
CMMS selection requires a realistic facility and skill set assessment
and establishment of goals for implementation and
realization of results. During the selection process, alternative
CMMS approaches will be identified. Consider the alternative
approaches carefully to ensure basic goals are accomplished
without an extensive increase in input requirements. For ex52
Reading
for Consideration
Top CMMS Selection Requirements and Functions
https://www.selecthub.com/cmms/ten-top-cmms-requirements/
A
Complete Guide to Selecting a CMMS System
https://website.maintenanceconnection.com/resources/
blog-posts/complete-guide-selecting-cmms-system
The New CMMS Insider's Guide
https://bin95.com/ebooks/cmms-guide.htm
The CMMS Selection Kit
https://bin95.com/ebooks/cmms-selection-advice.htm
CMMS Secrets
https://bin95.com/ebooks/cmms-secrets-ebook.htm
A Complete Guide to Selecting a CMMS System
https://website.maintenanceconnection.com/resources/
blog-posts/complete-guide-selecting-cmms-system
Optimization Guide for CMMS Selection
and Utilization
https://www.mromagazine.com/features/optimizationguide-for-cmms-selection-and-utilization/
ample,
functions such as data input, purchasing, and property
accounting are handled much differently in milling facilities
with 50 employees with a small office staff compared to those
with several hundred employees and a large office staff.
A CMMS best suited for the large facility may become a
burden to the smaller company, resulting in failure. There is
much to investigate and lots of information available online
to evaluate before contacting CMMS vendors. The suggested
reading provided at the end of this article is just a start in the
learning process. Sites like selecthub.com may be helpful in
assisting with your evaluation.
Whether undertaking maintenance function in an older
mill facility with pen and paper, using Excel, Access or
other data-based programs or commissioning a new mill,
making the transition to CMMS can be an important step
to optimizing the maintenance function. For companies
considering automation of older facilities or building new
facilities, including CMMS capabilities pays dividends and
should incorporated into the project as the CMMS implementation
process will never get easier. You cannot manage
what you cannot measure.
Jeff Gwirtz, a milling industry consultant, is president of JAG Services, Inc.
He may be reached at jgwirtz@att.net.
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April 2023 / World Grain / World-Grain.com

https://www.selecthub.com/cmms/ten-top-cmms-requirements/ https://website.maintenanceconnection.com/resources/blog=posts/complete-guide-selecting-cmms-system https://www.bin95.com/ebooks/cmms-guide.htm https://www.bin95.com/ebooks/cmms-selection-advice.htm https://www.bin95.com/ebooks/cmms-secrets-ebook.htm https://website.maintenanceconnection.com/resources/blog-posts/co-cmms-system https://www.mromagazine.com/features/optimization-guide-for-cmms-selection-and-utilization http://www.World-Grain.com

World Grain - April 2023

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