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Maintenance Software Myths That Are No Longer True

software Maintenance

Maintenance Software Myths That Are No Longer True

Software for facility management is nothing new. The underlying technology has been available since the early 2000s. The best facilities management software programs include capabilities for detailed asset tracking, digital checklists, handling service requests, work order requests, and resource management. 

Despite the availability of such software, a large segment of maintenance teams has yet to make the switch to utilize facilities management software; instead of relying on manual processes, paper checklists and excel reporting.

In this article, we identify 4 common reasons for not adopting facilities management systems, typically known as Computerized Maintenance and Management Systems (CMMS). We argue that with advances in software delivery, in particular, the availability of cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) delivery, these reasons are simply no longer valid. 

The 4 Most Common Myths of Facility Management Software

 CMMS Is Expensive

For a long time, only enterprise companies could afford online maintenance software. Acquiring a software license for an on-premise system would start from tens of thousands of dollars and all-in costs could end up in the millions.

One key reason behind the high costs is that software providers used to have to hire a small army of expensive enterprise sales staff to travel to the facilities management company to conceptualize a customized software program, decide how the system should be installed on in-house servers, and consult on the setup and implementation process. So each project required significant time and resources to implement. On top of that, organizing on-premise upgrades required substantial client interaction that increased ownership costs.

However, as the industry became more comfortable with cloud-based solutions and as new cloud-native systems emerged, the cost structure for delivering CMMS reduced drastically. Cloud-based SaaS CMMS software is intrinsically scalable. Small facilities can start with a low-cost plan, or sometimes even a free plan. Cloud-based SaaS CMMS systems can be utilized from anywhere in the world without the need to deploy on-premise servers and can literally be implemented in minutes! This means that the software providers need not hire an expensive enterprise sales force and also benefit from economies of scale. These savings are being passed on to the facilities managers. 

Cost should no longer be a barrier to CMMS implementation.

 Maintenance Management Software Is Hard to Learn

Another misconception about maintenance management software is that it is difficult to learn. That may be true for legacy CMMS as the adoption process may require significant effort to memorize complex digital workflows and may even require paid training. As a result of the cumbersome onboarding experience, many maintenance managers struggle to get their entire team on board. 

So, why are many legacy CMMS software so difficult to use? To put it simply, they were developed before the evolution of modern UI / UX design and when complex functionality took precedence over user onboarding and experience. CMMS software developers simply took it as the norm that clients must spend considerable effort to learn their software.

However, as SaaS software became prevalent with a predominantly client self-service model, CMMS SaaS software providers began to realize that ease of deployment and ease of use were necessary pre-conditions to achieve SaaS scalability. With a low-cost subscription model, not only can more long-tail clients be onboarded, they can be onboarded more quickly. Clients could self setup and self-configure, reducing the amount and time for pre-sales and the level of customer support required.

Transitions are Tough

This myth involves not only the need for learning mentioned above but also involves the assumptions that entering the necessary data, such as asset data, to get the CMMS going is time-consuming; and that the new CMMS cannot co-exist besides current processes.

Both assumptions are wrong. Data input nowadays mostly involves a one-time CSV import. Checklists can also be created from available libraries.

Modern SaaS-based cloud CMMS systems also support a gradual transition from manual to digital. Checklists can be exported to PDF for printing. Individual modules can be utilized as and when the team is ready, for example, starting with the low-hanging fruits such as fault reporting, before moving towards more data-intensive processes such as preventive maintenance.

Cloud CMMS is Not Secure

This myth exists not only for CMMS software but also for any other cloud software, including accounting and HR systems. Yet, in almost all software verticals, cloud software is gaining market share. Even in the most sensitive verticals, such as healthcare and banking, regulators have permitted the use of cloud software.

Cloud software is not by definition less secure compared to on-premise deployments. In fact, given the level of physical security at the data centers of most large cloud computing providers, cloud deployments are often more secure compared to on-premise deployments.

The correct approach in analyzing the cybersecurity of CMMS software is not to dismiss all cloud software as insecure, but to check if appropriate cloud security measures have been deployed, including physical, infrastructure, data, application, access control and endpoint security.

Maintenance Management Software Made Easy

Modern CMMS solutions like FacilityBot are leaps and bounds ahead of their early predecessors. By re-imagining how facilities management software should be, we built FacilityBot from the ground up to be affordable, user-friendly, easy to deploy, easy to use and feature-rich.  

We believe that giving the easily justifiable Return on Investment for digitizing Facilities Management processes, there should no longer be any reason for facilities managers not to use a CMMS system to manage their operations.

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Patrick Sim, Co-Founder of FacilityBot. My interests include creating a messaging-first facilities management system that facilities managers love and building other software systems.

trucking

Digital Trends for the Trucking Industry in 2021

The first quarter of a new year is a great time for fleet leaders to reflect on how their current plans for the year are going and then adjust accordingly if needed. What’s working for you? What should you stop doing? What should you start doing?

For the trucking industry, one trend for 2021 is clear. Digital is the way forward. While fleet management software has been on the scene for a few years, some parts of the supply chain still rely on analog processes and clunky, legacy solutions. The pandemic added additional stress in the logistics industry, largely due to volume fluctuations, and highlighted the need for better technology that will help drive more efficient logistics operations.

Automation

A specific growth area of trucking technology is the adoption of solutions that use AI and ML for automation. AI-powered, cloud-based solutions for route optimization will take some of the headache out of a route planner’s job by helping planners match the right driver and load with the best route. Route optimization tech can deliver an optimized route for the driver in just a few clicks.

By adopting automated route planning and optimization software, planners will then be able to focus on exceptional cases, while still being able to adjust routes manually if needed.

Data and analytics

A positive byproduct of digital transformation and technology adoption is increased access to data. Despite data making its way into nearly every industry to optimize workflow, improve business processes, and increase revenue, only 23 percent of fleets use data to inform decision-making. Because of the heavy demand for drivers and fleets, especially due to the current qualified driver shortage, fleets need to leverage AI, driver-specific metrics, and cloud management software to create more informed and productive drivers and plans.

Fleets have not always utilized data and analytics to their advantage. Fleets can now leverage real-time, cloud-based software and data to decrease planning time and optimize operations so that drivers can make more deliveries in less time. The demand for real-time visibility and on-time pickups and deliveries by shippers and receivers is only increasing, and the bar for fleets to compete successfully is getting higher.

Digital transformation

Fleets across the spectrum, from truckload to LTL and final mile, need technology solutions to work as efficiently as possible to empower their planners, drivers, and managers, from anywhere, at any time. They need to move to the cloud for enhanced communication, security, and access to data. As a result, fleets can rise above the competition if they optimize fleet management and workflow solutions and implement software to improve decision-making.

Automation, data visibility, and cloud-based digitization in the trucking industry wouldn’t be possible without a strategic decision by fleet leadership to prioritize digital transformation solutions. Digital solutions are required to best enable all parties in the supply chain, and fleet leaders need to pave the way with tech adoption. With the power of AI, machine learning, and cloud-based software, fleets will run faster, more efficiently, and more profitably than ever before.

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Avi Geller is the founder and CEO of Maven Machines. Since 2014, Avi has led Maven’s growth as an IoT platform that serves the transportation industry through real-time, mobile cloud enterprise software. Avi originally hails from Palo Alto, California, but started Maven in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania due to the city’s impressive innovation and technology resources. Prior to founding Maven, he held international positions with SAP and contributed to the growth of several successful software companies and startups. Avi also has an engineering degree from MIT and an MBA from Northwestern University.

cloud market

10 Things to Look for in an IaaS Tool

Nearly 30 years after the emergence of its widespread use, the internet has evolved from a novel in-office communication tool to a sprawling information network that businesses can’t live without. We are practically swimming in data. Luckily, cloud computing – a technology service that offloads files to external servers located around the country – has stepped in to help ease the burden of terabytes of sensitive company data.

A new form of data management tech has also recently emerged onto the scene: Cloud Infrastructure as a Service, or IaaS. Compared to traditional cloud computing services, IaaS takes care of the nitty-gritty details normally located in your own office infrastructure, such as servers, software, data centers and security. To put things into perspective, traditional cloud computing is like having a big storage drive somewhere else in the country, while IaaS is the storage drive and your workplace’s nervous system safely stored miles away – but directly networked with your office nonetheless. This frees up your business to devote its resources to the tasks that matter while another company takes care of the heavy lifting.

Several major players have quickly taken up the IaaS mantle – namely, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform. Choosing the right cloud IaaS for your business isn’t a clear-cut task. Once you’ve wrapped your head around how IaaS works, your brain will likely be swirling with a maelstrom of other questions: How can I guarantee that I’m getting the most storage out of what I’m paying? Should I invest in an IaaS provider that controls most of my data’s storage? How much do I want to customize my network?

These 10 tips will cover the key points to consider when choosing the cloud IaaS for you:

Public and Private Platforms

IaaS companies typically offer two different platforms for your business: public and private. Each offers its own distinct advantages for different types of businesses.

Public platforms give you and your team the opportunity to quickly access IT resources. This ease-of-use allows you to make changes to your work environment on the fly. Public platforms also come pre-configured, meaning that businesses with less IT experience or with teams that are already stretched thin might do better with this option.

Private platforms grant your business maximum security within your data center. These servers are also typically faster since they operate on a closed circuit. Moreover, private platforms allow you to customize your network and security features to a greater degree than public platforms. IT-savvy businesses can use a private IaaS platform for greater control over their data management.

Customization

Depending on how comfortable you are with IT, you’ll want your IaaS platform to have at least some degree of customizability. Your business might require multiple channels through which to exchange data, for example, or it might require the IaaS to act as a test server for a new website.

Other examples of customization features include website layout templates, user interface storage and the ability to upload your own HTML and CSS files, like those included with Microsoft Azure. The apps and operating systems that different IaaS platforms offer should play a role in determining how well they will serve your business.

User Friendliness

Above all, the IaaS you choose should be easy to understand for you, the end user, especially since third-party apps will take care of the hardest IT work for you. Responsive customer support is another factor to consider, as are transparent documentation and neatly organized client-side interfaces.

Relativity

Cloud computing may be a marvel of information management, but, for the time being, our networks are still bound to the physical limits of cable. Ensure that the IaaS you choose operates with an extensive infrastructure or at least manages servers located close to your business. This will ensure that you can easily and quickly transfer data to and from your IaaS servers.

Usage Charges

Ensuring that an IaaS will lower costs for your business is key. Though the prospect of placing your workplace’s vitals in the care of a trusted IaaS is attractive, keep in mind that each company offers different pricing models. An IaaS platform might require you to pay by the hour, week or month based on the number of gigabytes you use. Some charge only by data upload (hot storage), while others charge for data you aren’t currently using (cold storage). Still, others will charge you for each service you use. Be prepared to see many different entries for different services on your first IaaS bill.

Also consider scalability, or the IaaS’ ability to adapt to your changing data requirements, when deliberating on a company’s pricing model. Microsoft Azure, for example, forgoes an upfront charge for a pay-as-you-go model. Businesses that project rapid growth may wish to consider this pricing model.

Support

Even the best IaaS will pose problems at one point or another. Glitches, misaligned services or any number of issues may prevent you from fully managing your data. When researching IaaS providers, be sure that the services you choose offer friendly and responsive chat or call centers so that you can resolve issues quickly. Ask about what support is available as you get started with an IaaS and how you can resolve issues once you’ve started upscaling your use of the service.

Server Infrastructure

Similar to the relativity issue, an IaaS provider with many servers will also increase its computing power for quick data access. Make sure that the IaaS you choose can handle your data requirements. Also, keep in mind that you aren’t the only company using your IaaS’ servers – an even larger company than yours could require massive amounts of data use at any time, causing bottlenecks and slowdown for the entire service.

Data Security

At the end of the day, your IaaS of choice should be able to securely store your data. Remember that an IaaS server is your data center and your workplace’s nervous system; you wouldn’t hang either out in the open. Not only should it ensure that prying eyes can’t peek into your cloud-stored documents, but your IaaS should also have the capability to reliably back up your data in case of an outage. Microsoft Azure, for example, will migrate your virtual machine’s data to another physical machine if it detects a Microsoft software update or a malfunction in its original hardware through a service called Live Migration.

Service Levels 

Get to know your IaaS provider. Consider arranging to meet with a representative in person and aim to establish a strong rapport between your business and theirs. Doing so will allow you to familiarize yourself with the provider, determine their trustworthiness and receive more thorough support due to your established relationship.

Manageability

Every organization operates in its own unique way, but some require more niche infrastructures than others. Make sure that the IaaS you choose will be able to easily integrate with your workplace and that it addresses all of your unique needs. If you would like to tailor the IaaS to your specifications, ensure that the provider offers a great degree of flexibility. If not, ensure that the provider is willing to help you with every step of the integration process.

Choosing the Right IaaS For You

Once you’ve decided on an IaaS that you’d like to explore, the next step is finalizing your choice and integrating it with your workplace. With nearly 40 years of expertise in the computing industry, Ingram Micro is prepared to answer your questions and help you transition your business to cloud IaaS. For inquiries, please contact a representative at 800-705-7057 or uscloud@ingrammicro.com. To place an order or learn more, please visit our cloud marketplace here.

About the author

Jason has held sales, pre-sales engineering, business development, and sales leadership positions for resellers, professional services organizations, and distributors over the last 20+ years. Jason earned an undergraduate degree in International Finance and a MBA in pursuit of his educational goals. He has also earned many technical certifications including a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco Certified Network Design Professional (CCDP), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), and Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) in additional to numerous sales and licensing focused certifications. In his current role, Jason is focused on developing sales enablement strategies designed to help channel sales professionals promote the adoption of Azure by focusing on the positive business outcomes unlocked by cloud computing.

Foreign Trade Data Solutions Company Adds Germany Location

Trade Technologies, a global leader in foreign trade documentation software solutions, announced the opening of the second European branch office in Stuttgart, Germany. Trade Technologies currently has offices in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, Houston,
Istanbul, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Singapore.

The company prides itself in its patented, cloud-based software solutions that securely streamlines sharing trade data and documentation for over 1,500 exporters, freight forwarders and international banks.

Additionally, the company’s outsourced trade documentation services grant increased visibility of other transactions involving foreign trade through real-time access and management.

“Europe is home to high-performing and fast-growing exporters, and Germany is a growth engine in Europe and we expect strong demand not only for our outsourced letter of credit services, but also for our entire TradeSharp platform,” said Kirk Lundberg, CEO of Trade Technologies.

The company’s impressive list of awards and recognitions includes:

-One of the “50 Smartest Companies of 2016” in the Silicon Review business magazine

-Presidential E Award for Export Services from the US Department of Commerce in 2015

-CIO Review Magazine voted TTI one of the 20 most promising banking solutions in its annual list

-Trade Finance Magazine’s Best Trade Tech Solutions Company winner in 2012

-TradeSharp Software Platform and Process  Award

-Winner of the US Department of Commerce’s Presidential E Award for Exports in 2011- known as the highest possible US export recognition.

 

Source: EIN Presswire