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Choosing
Computerized Maintenance Management
Systems for Facility Management
The Missoula Technology and Development Center considered over 300 CMMS programs during a year-long review. These programs were evaluated using demonstration software supplied by the manufacturers. Table 1 compares features of seven programs determined to be most suitable for Forest Service facility maintenance.
Table 1-Features of the seven computerized maintenance management systems MTDC determined to be most suitable for facility management in the Forest Service.
The table assumes that the programs will be used by personnel with beginning to average personal computer skills. When features could not be tested with the demonstration software, a result of average was assumed.
Price: Only programs that cost $1,500 or less at the time this Tech Tip was being prepared were included in the table. The lower the program's cost, the higher its rating.
Program Age: This rating was subjective. In general, the program should not be fresh from beta testing (just released), nor should it be so old that it shows signs of lagging behind current technology.
Number of Customers: This rating is based on the number of customers the manufacturer claims are already using the software. More customers produces higher ratings.
Company Age: The only way to determine the probability of a company's surviving into the future is to look at how long it has already survived. The longer it has survived, the higher the rating.
Simplicity: The less intimidating and confusing the program, the higher its rating.
Program Help: All the programs require a reference. If the reference is available within the program and easy to understand, the program gets a high rating.
Automation: If the program allows the computer to handle mundane tasks (such as transferring data from one section of the program to another), it gets a high rating.
Customization: Programs that allow interface changes to suit the needs of individual users get a higher rating.
Interface: Programs that have intuitive, familiar, and easy-to-use features are rated higher.
Data Features: High ratings went to programs that allowed complete, easily entered data for each feature category.
ODBC: Open Data Base Connectivity (ODBC) is an indication of a program's ability to communicate with other programs. The greater the ability to share data with other programs, the higher the rating.
Scheduling: Programs that simplify task assignments and due dates received high ratings.
Planning and Analysis: Programs that allow the user to forecast costs within the program received high ratings. Programs that provide historical data without projecting future costs received lower ratings.
MS2000 may be slightly more difficult to use than some of the other programs, but it is very flexible. It has property screens that can be used to input building data. Although MS2000 is one of the most expensive programs, it is still a good buy.
Work Order Wonder is one of the easiest programs to use. It has screens to input building data as well as screens for equipment in the building.
Mpulse is another very easy program to use. Not only does it have screens to enter building data, but it also has separate screens for grounds, meter readings, and individual room details. In addition, there are screens for equipment in the building. Mpulse LTD is a version of Mpulse Pro that is limited to tracking 100 resources.
COGZ is easy to use. It does not have screens to input building properties and is best suited for maintenance of facility equipment.
Atlas Professional is a moderately easy program to use. Like COGZ it has no building screens and is best suited for maintenance of facility equipment. Atlas Classic is a limited version of Atlas Professional.
A CMMS program can be a valuable tool for tracking and scheduling the details of day-to-day maintenance. No single CMMS program can meet everyone's needs. This Tech Tip is a good place to start, but you should try demonstration versions of programs from several manufacturers to determine the best CMMS program for your facilities. Only you can determine which CMMS program best suits your needs.
This Tech Tip is not intended to select a single CMMS program for use throughout the Forest Service. The Forest Service has chartered a team to explore options for a nationwide CMMS program. Contact team leader Steve Oravetz; Lotus Notes: Steve Oravetz/WO/USDAFS or (406)-329-1037 for more information.
Micromain Corporation (MS2000)
5100 Bee Caves Road
Austin, TX 78746
Telephone: (512) 328-3235
Fax: (512) 328-4584
http://www.micromain.com
Fields & Screens, Inc. (Work Order Wonder For Windows)
14800 Quorum Drive
Suite 200
Dallas, TX 75240
Telephone: (800) 867-8124
Fax: (972) 450-6526
http://www.screens.com
MPulse Maintenance Software (MPulse Pro, MPulse LTD)
44 West Broadway, Suite 302
Eugene, OR 97401-3020
Telephone: (800) 944-1796
Fax: (541) 302-6680
http://www.mpulsecmms.com
Advanced Maintenance Solutions (COGZ)
14 White Gate Road
Oxford, CT 06478
Telephone: (203) 881-1450
Fax: (203) 888-7362
http://www.cogz.com
Data-Trak, Inc. (Atlas Professional 3.1, Atlas Classic)
135 Oyster Creek Drive
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Telephone: (800) 453-3972
Fax: (409) 297-7725
http://www.data-trak.com
Symbiotic Systems Corp. (Maintenance Manager)
1625 Range Street
Boulder, CO 80301
Telephone: (800) 459-8848
http://www.symbioticsys.com
Datastream Systems, Inc. (MP2 Professional)
50 Datastream Plaza
Greenville, SC 29605
Telephone: (864) 422-5001
Fax: (864) 422-5000
http://www.dstm.com
Wes Throopis a Project Engineer at MTDC. He received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Idaho in 1983. Wes has worked as a smokechaser, hotshot, and engine foreman for the Forest Service and as a civilian mechanical engineer for the Department of the Navy. Before coming to MTDC in 1999, he worked as a mechanical engineer at the Test Reactor Area of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory near Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Dale M. Ward operates Design Wizard Consulting in Missoula, MT. He studied computer science and mathematics at the University of Montana where he works as a software developer for the Information Technology Resource Center. He is a software development consultant.
For additional technical information, contact Wes Throop
Phone: (406) 329-3957
Fax: (406) 329-3719
E-mail: wthroop@fs.fed.us
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