1. There should be three major elements in any computerized maintenance management software (CMMS) solution: work management, physical assets management and resource management.
2. Make sure the solution you choose has extensive management reporting capabilities that include detailed and summary reports, graphical reports, and easy to use report writing tools that do not require programming knowledge.
3. To help a small business remain compliant with myriad regulations (i.e., OSHA), find a solution that supports the workflow process necessary to record, assign and account for both the work and the measures taken to correct and/or prevent maintenance-related problems.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• The right solution can examine systems in their current condition/configuration and establish best maintenance practices — thus increasing equipment reliability and lowering production costs, and improving employee and customer satisfaction.
• A computerized maintenance solution helps small businesses develop standard operating procedures for machines and offers a way to ensure all employees use the equipment correctly and optimally via system training.
• Your company can build the solution itself in-house if it has superior IT expertise, but the most cost-effective way is usually ready-made software.