CMMS vs EAM Software

As renewable energy asset owners, you know how vital it is for your operations to be running at peak efficiency—every minute of downtime can mean substantial losses. To minimize the chances of asset disruption and keep your facility running in top condition, preventative maintenance is key.

But what system should you use to keep track of elements like scheduled repairs, parts inventory and predictive analytics? Knowing the difference between CMMS and EAM can help you make a more informed decision on which one will best suit your needs.

 

Defining CMMS Vs EAM

As renewable energy asset owners, you know how vital it is for your operations to be running at peak efficiency—every minute of downtime can mean substantial losses. To minimize the chances of asset disruption and keep your facility running in top condition, preventative maintenance is key.

But what system should you use to keep track of elements like scheduled repairs, parts inventory and predictive analytics? Knowing the difference between CMMS and EAM can help you make a more informed decision on which one will best suit your needs.

In this blog post, we’ll debunk any confusion surrounding these two options by comparing them side-by-side to determine which one might be better suited for preventative maintenance in renewable energy installations.

When it comes to managing maintenance operations, renewable energy leaders often turn to specialized software solutions to streamline processes and maximize asset lifecycle and efficiency. The two most commonly utilized options are CMMS and EAM software.

 

What is a CMMS?

CMMS stands for Computerized Maintenance Management System and is designed to help teams schedule and track maintenance tasks with the goal of increasing equipment uptime.

 

What is EAM?

EAM, on the other hand, stands for Enterprise Asset Management and takes a broader, more predictive approach to maintenance. This type of software not only schedules preventive maintenance but also uses data analytics to forecast when repairs will be needed and proactively address issues before they arise.

While both types offer considerable benefits, understanding the nuanced differences can help organizations choose the software solution that best fits their needs.

 

How a CMMS Helps Renewable Energy Firms

The What The How The Why
Automated Maintenance Scheduling CMMS schedules regular maintenance activities automatically, based on predefined criteria. Ensures timely maintenance, reducing downtime and extending asset life.
Real-Time Asset Tracking Tracks the status and location of assets in real-time. Provides accurate data for decision-making, enhances asset utilization.
Inventory Management Monitors and manages inventory levels of spare parts and supplies. Prevents overstocking or stockouts, optimizing inventory costs.
Work Order Management Generates, assigns, and tracks work orders for maintenance tasks. Streamlines workflow, ensures accountability, and improves response time.
Mobile Accessibility Allows field technicians to access and update information from anywhere. Enhances field communication, ensures data accuracy and timeliness.

 

CMMS Vs EAM: What is the Difference?

A CMMS is a cloud-based software that allows maintenance teams to easily keep a centralized record of all inventory, assets and equipment. A CMMS keeps track of details such as part numbers, descriptions, suppliers, and spare parts.

Helping to improve inventory management processes, it can also provide alerts if the inventory falls below a predefined threshold level. This helps automate the ordering process to make sure stock levels are kept replenished, as well as help avoid unplanned downtime.

A CMMS also helps schedule and track maintenance activities and keep a detailed record of the work performed; streamline and manage work orders; and track asset data, name and number; as well as description and location plus record labor and material costs.

In contrast with a CMMS, Enterprise Asset Management Software (EAM) takes a holistic view of the complete asset lifecycle management. That includes planning, procurement, operations, and disposal of assets.

Tip: Whereas a CMMS is used primarily to manage the maintenance of equipment and machinery, EAM software provides a view of an organization’s assets and infrastructure throughout the entire lifecycle, from creation or procurement to disposal.

So while an EAM can technically provide the same capabilities that a CMMS does, there are additional features available through an EAM that may overlap with an organization’s ERP, or may not be a requirement at all for the team purchasing maintenance management software.

Today, EAM systems are designed to take a broader view. Although EAM systems deal with maintenance management at one level, they also look at the entire asset lifecycle from acquisition to decommissioning.

This network technology allowed disparate computer systems throughout an organization to be more easily connected and centrally accessible. This allows EAM systems to better manage the total cost of ownership of an asset.

EAM systems not only serve maintenance departments and inventory asset management within a company, but also look at the equipment that involves purchasing, engineering, accounting, and safety.

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CMMS vs. EAM software in Preventative Maintenance

Making the right decision on an EAM or a CMMS system can be critical for any organization. The key factors to consider are size, projected growth rate, existing pain points and long-term goals in addition to choosing a solution that will both meet your current needs as well as have room for scalability down the road.

For smaller companies that may just now be transitioning from manual processes or lack tech savvy staff members, an easy mobile first platform could provide similar results of those found in costlier full blown EAM systems.

On the other hand, larger organizations with multiple sites managing many assets might benefit more fully by investing in an expansive EAM which provides centralized storage of asset information such as warranty records and audit trails across departments allowing comprehensive views across locations.

Deciding between these two solutions should not only tailored toward budget but also how it works within its own particular structure so every organization gets where they want go efficiently and effectively

 

Streamline Maintenance and Asset Management With 60Hertz Energy’s CMMS

Maximize your renewable energy assets’ efficiency and longevity with 60Hertz’s CMMS. Our system, trusted by top firms, offers:

  • Advanced maintenance tracking: Over 200,000 maintenance records filed.
  • Global reach: Serving clients on 4 continents, including 60% of the Alaska market.
  • Significant cost savings: Clients save an average of $61,256 annually.
  • Comprehensive asset management: Over $146,000,000 in assets currently managed.

Whether your focus is on preventative maintenance or full lifecycle asset management, 60Hertz CMMS is your solution. Our user-friendly, mobile-first platform is designed for efficiency and effectiveness, perfect for firms of any size.

Ready to revolutionize your maintenance strategy?

Book a demo today.

Piper Wilder, founder of 60Hertz Energy and pioneer of modern energy asset management, enables DER assets and the people who maintain them to reach their full potential. She is devoted to furthering her community and is active with a number of Anchorage non-profit organizations. Piper continues to enable energy companies to lower costs of maintaining critical assets, collaborate with team members more effectively, and empower the energy resource industry.

Piper Wilder

Piper Wilder is the CEO and founder of 60Hertz Energy and a pioneer in the field of energy asset management. Recipient of numerous awards including being honored with the Department of Energy’s C3E award in 2023 for entrepreneurship, inducted in the Alaska Innovators Hall of Fame in 2022, earned first place as the High North Young Entrepreneur in 2019 in Bodø, Norway.

Since founding 60Hertz Energy in 2017, Ms. Foster Wilder has helped Distributed Energy Resource (DER) companies to adopt best practice maintenance routines through software, helping personnel extend the life cycle of critical assets.

Prior to starting 60Hertz Energy, Ms. Foster Wilder served as the Deputy Director of the Renewable Energy Alaska Project from 2015 to 2017; Founder of an ad hoc coalition to advance solar thermal deployment for rural, low income Coloradans from 2013 to 2016; and served as the Vice President of Amatis Controls from 2011- 2014. She is a Rotarian.

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