Benefits of Using CMMS Software

Hippo CMMS has been involved in maintenance management for over 20 years. It began when a Winnipeg-based architectural firm developed a preventive maintenance platform for its clients. It was native SaaS, affordable, and easy to use, which, at the time, helped to distinguish it in the market. In 2004, a complete rebuild and rebranding took place, and Hippo CMMS was launched.

Photo Credit: Hippo CMMS.

MRO recently spoke with Daniel Golub, Chief Operating Officer, Hippo CMMS, to get his take on the benefits of using a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), why some companies aren’t using one, and where he sees the technology going in the future.

MRO: What are the main advantages of using a CMMS?

GOLUB: A good CMMS puts everything in one place, then keeps it both safe and accessible.

Many advantages come from the software’s ability to streamline processes. Work order management, for example; tickets come in through the request portal and are sent directly to the maintenance manager. Once they’re approved, the manager can generate, prioritize, delegate, assign, and track data-packed work orders. Everything is done in the software, where it’s kept up to date in real time and accessible from any internet-connected device. Other advantages come from how departments can leverage data they collect about their operations. With auto-generated reporting and KPI tracking, they can see the maintenance big picture, and that means data-driven decision-making. No guessing on repair-or-replace, no wondering which resources are most productive.

MRO: No longer a product for larger corporations, a CMMS is now for any company. What would you say are the main advantage of a CMMS for small to medium-sized companies?

GOLUB: The biggest advantage is getting the functionality of older on-premises systems without the upfront and ongoing costs. With modern cloud computing-backed platforms, your CMMS provider takes the IT weight off your shoulders. It looks after hosting and data backups, software updates, and security.

Further, there is now an app for almost every business function, and, in order for companies, large and small, to remain competitive, they need to be efficient. What was once out of reach for small businesses is now right there for them in the mobile device in the palm of their hand.

MRO: What are some of the main reasons companies are not using a CMMS?

GOLUB: We hear many different reasons, none of which are good. Since maintenance departments are traditionally seen as cost centres, some companies are hesitant to invest in a CMMS. However, the reality is, a good CMMS cuts downtime and boosts productivity. A CMMS work order has everything a maintenance professional needs to close out efficiently, including step-by-step instructions, lists of associated parts and materials, and digital versions of O&M manuals and interactive floor plans.

When maintenance professionals don’t have to waste time filling out paperwork, scrolling through e-mails looking for spreadsheet attachments, or running to the office to pick up their next assignment, departments get more bang for their maintenance buck.

Photo Credit: Hippo CMMS.

MRO: What advancements do you see in CMMS in the next few years?

GOLUB: It’s an exciting time, and there’s a lot of talk about how operations will find new ways to collect and leverage their data. The use of sensors is going to rise as prices fall, and that’s going to increase the use of condition-based and predictive maintenance.

We predict that integration will also grow in importance. Companies will look for new ways to get their software platforms talking and sharing information. APIs are going to be a big part of that push.

MRO: Outline the products Hippo provides to its CMMS customers.

GOLUB: Hippo CMMS is a simple solution that equips companies with tools to manage work orders, preventive maintenance, equipment and inventory, and purchase orders. CMMS Hippo also tracks downtime and generates reports on maintenance activities.

MRO: How do Hippo’s products differ from others on the market?

GOLUB: For users, the learning curve is fast, implementations are smooth, and adoption rates are high. This translates into seeing an ROI early on when the momentum is there. Hippo is not the most robust CMMS on the market, and we are not trying to be. We have focused our energy and resources on the user experience, and ensuring Hippo is a solution that is easy to implement and our customers get value from it early on. Hippo’s UI is designed so that it’s intuitive and not cluttered with every feature possible. Our users appreciate this, and that is the main reason for our success.

Throughout Hippo’s history, one thing that’s never changed is our focus on making easyto-use software, and our hard work has paid off, We’ve grown to 1,300 customers and have a 92 per cent retention rate. In July 2019, we were acquired by iOFFICE, and are now a part of their asset division. MRO