How can you choose the right facility maintenance software for tracking inventory and supplies?
Choosing the right facility maintenance software to track inventory and supplies is crucial for efficient operations. As someone responsible for facility management (FM), you understand that a well-organized inventory system can save time, reduce waste, and prevent costly downtime. The right software can streamline your processes, ensuring that you have the necessary supplies on hand when you need them and that you're not overstocking or understocking. Let's explore how to select a software solution that aligns with your FM needs.
Before diving into the market, it's essential to assess your facility's specific needs. Consider the size of your inventory, the complexity of your supply chain, and any unique requirements your facility may have. Do you need to track perishable goods, require batch or serial number tracking, or need to integrate with other systems? Understanding these needs will help you narrow down the search to software that can handle your inventory complexities.
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Joe McLaughlin
Promotor of Professionalism, The Trades, Professional Development, Introspection, and Common Sense - Writer - Building Maintenance Operations Director
There are a number of different software options available. The very first thing to do is make a list of what is desired of the software. Keep the future in mind while making these considerations. For example, if it is known that in 3 years there is an event planned that a system would need to help with, add that software capability needs to the list of considerations. Many of the CMMSs have existing capabilities built into them that may meet the needs. If there is already a CMMS in place, compare the list of needs to what the CMMS can do. The project could turn out to cost much less than anticipated if current software has the needed capabilities.
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Hassene Mabrouk☑️
🚀+3𝗞 | Camp manager| offshore/onshore with HACCP level 3 | ISO 9001 V2015 | ISO22000 V2018
Les stocks sont l'un des principaux éléments qui nécessitent une grande attention en raison de leur impact important sur la détermination du coût des produits et du coût des ventes, et donc sur la mesure des revenus et de la situation financière. L'un des phénomènes à noter est la tendance des institutions et entreprises émergentes à regrouper toutes les activités liées aux affaires matérielles sous un seul département chargé de fournir et de gérer les matériaux nécessaires à la mise en œuvre des programmes de travail et de production établis dans le projet.
The core features of the software are the backbone of its functionality. Look for a system that offers real-time tracking, easy-to-use interfaces, and customizable reporting. The ability to set up alerts for low stock levels or expiring items can be invaluable. Also, consider if the software supports barcode scanning or radio-frequency identification (RFID) for quick inventory updates.
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Joe McLaughlin
Promotor of Professionalism, The Trades, Professional Development, Introspection, and Common Sense - Writer - Building Maintenance Operations Director
The feature that makes or breaks a database is its reporting capabilities. Reporting that lets the user see the information in the manner that they want to see it. This would also require it to be user friendly. Navigating around inside the software should be such that it makes sense to the untrained user and not what makes sense to the software designer. This applies to data entry as well. Data entry can be very time consuming if a human being is doing it. RFID can be a huge time saver by making it possible, in many cases, to walk into a storage room and be able to "read" the inventory in a matter of seconds.
The user experience (UX) of the software greatly influences its adoption and effectiveness. The interface should be intuitive, with a minimal learning curve for your staff. Software that is complicated or cumbersome to use can lead to resistance from the team, inaccuracies in data entry, and ultimately, a failure to provide the benefits you're seeking. Test the software with actual users to gauge its usability.
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Joe McLaughlin
Promotor of Professionalism, The Trades, Professional Development, Introspection, and Common Sense - Writer - Building Maintenance Operations Director
If a user has difficulty using software, they are not going to use it and if they do, it will be riddled with errors. The user experience is second only to the software's reporting capabilities. Identifying the common end-user that would be using this type of software would help in the development of the software. If there is no knowledge of the end-user needs, the developer is going to do it their way which is often different than the typical end-user and will cause the software to be ill received.
The ability to integrate with your existing systems is critical. Whether it's your financial software, procurement systems, or building management systems, seamless integration ensures that data flows without manual intervention, reducing errors and saving time. Check if the software provides Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) or other means to connect with your current tech stack.
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Joe McLaughlin
Promotor of Professionalism, The Trades, Professional Development, Introspection, and Common Sense - Writer - Building Maintenance Operations Director
The ability to integrate would have been identified on the original list of needs. If there is a need for an inventory software to integrate with, for example, accounting software, then the needed specifics of the accounting software would now be included in the scope of specifications to consider. Everything possible has to be considered up front. The fewer hurdles during installation, the better.
Consider the level of support and training the software provider offers. Adequate training ensures that your team can use the software to its full potential, while strong customer support can be a lifeline when issues arise. Evaluate the provider's reputation for customer service and the resources they offer, such as tutorials, user forums, or help desks.
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Joe McLaughlin
Promotor of Professionalism, The Trades, Professional Development, Introspection, and Common Sense - Writer - Building Maintenance Operations Director
"Plug n play" does not apply to the training and support for a program. If the users are not adequately trained, they will eventually stop using the program. Likewise, if there is not adequate support to help with issues, the users will eventually stop using the program. Installing a program is only the beginning. One of the most significant areas in the continuity of program use, is the area of employee turnover. Far too often when the program expert leaves, no one has been trained to step up and be the new program expert. At times can also be due to no one wanting to step up and be the expert as they see no benefit in doing so. The leader leaves and the program dies.
Finally, align your budget with your software options. While cost should not be the sole deciding factor, it's important to consider both upfront and ongoing expenses. Some software may require a larger initial investment but offer lower long-term costs due to fewer updates or maintenance needs. Others might have a low entry price but higher operational costs. Find a balance that offers value without compromising on essential features.
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Joe McLaughlin
Promotor of Professionalism, The Trades, Professional Development, Introspection, and Common Sense - Writer - Building Maintenance Operations Director
No decision-maker is going to approve a request without solid supporting information. It is up to the requester to do their homework and leave no stone unturned in gathering the applicable information that they will need to get their project approved. The most viable project can be rejected if the decision-makers were not convinced that the expense is necessary. If the information is collected and presented in a way that shows without a doubt that the project is necessary, the decision-makers will be compelled to approve the project and will feel guilty if they don't. Then comes the budget. Once all of the parameters, specifications, and costs are known, steps in deciding how to fund and when to fund a project can begin.
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Joe McLaughlin
Promotor of Professionalism, The Trades, Professional Development, Introspection, and Common Sense - Writer - Building Maintenance Operations Director
There will be a perputual need to show value of the program. Leadership will change, accounting managers will change, there will always be the possibility that a new stakeholder will question why money is being spent on a program. It will be up to the program expert to be able to address those questions if they are interested in continuing funding for the program and support activities related to the program. With the continuing advancement of technology, and there always being "the next big thing", a day will come when the program is no longer what is needed. If, by some miracle, the program expert is still employed, this person will need to be capable of embracing change and start the process anew.
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Sakthivel Kadhirvel
Contracts Mgt / Project Mgt roles
Upgradation feasibility It assures futuristic compatibility consideration and training requirements and avoids market absolence. Hence, the paid-up investments were worth and assures the business for long-run and customisation as of the suitable feasibility.
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