Asset maintenance and asset repairing are often confused, but they are not the same. Asset maintenance prevents the need for asset repair. Repairing is about fixing something that is broken and needs to be brought back to a working condition. Asset maintenance is an umbrella term that includes everything to ensure an asset is in good condition and well-maintained. For example, in manufacturing machinery, maintenance means regular checkups.
By maintaining manufacturing hardware, resource support can mean normal examinations and fixes. However, to achieve top performance from your assets, there are a few best asset maintenance practices that one must follow. This is what we will discuss in this blog. So, let us begin!
What Are the Best Practices for Asset Maintenance for Optimal Performance?
Asset maintenance best practices for optimal performance are discussed below:
1. Take a Systematic Approach to Asset Maintenance
Many organizations keep track of maintenance manually. As a result, their assets are left unmaintained, their performance decreases, and chances of sudden equipment failure increase. That is why it is important to take a systematic approach to provide maintenance to each asset so that no asset is left unattended.
Asset management software can be helpful in keeping track of maintenance and will alert your team for each upcoming maintenance task so that no asset maintenance is skipped. This software centralizes information, making planning and scheduling of asset maintenance easier.
2. Keep Assets Maintained
Keeping assets maintained is crucial for better asset performance. It helps organizations decrease maintenance expenses and increase productivity. If assets are not maintained, the chances of asset failure increase, and their lifespan decreases. Furthermore, it also helps in decreasing overall downtime and optimizing the uptime of assets.
3. Collect Data
Data is the key to business growth. When you have access to information, you can make better decisions about your assets. Collecting data is one of the most important asset maintenance practices. With enough data to make informed decisions, you can achieve better-expected results. Decisions based on assumptions do not yield the expected results. Getting data on each piece of equipment helps in anticipating asset maintenance needs and planning accordingly.
4. Utilize Preventive Maintenance
One of the key practices for asset maintenance is utilizing preventive maintenance. It helps in scheduling asset maintenance before failures occur and in keeping track of maintenance activities to optimize asset performance. Preventive maintenance offers several benefits, such as improved asset performance, reduced unplanned downtime, boosted asset performance, and minimized chances of sudden equipment failure.
5. Create a Checklist for Every Maintenance Work Order
When an organization has many assets and equipment, the maintenance team faces pressure to perform maintenance on each asset quickly. This is where mistakes are most likely to occur. To avoid this issue, create a work order checklist. This checklist should detail the activities needed for each asset, the issues identified, and so on. This tool helps the maintenance team avoid forgetting tasks and saves time, making them more productive and efficient.
6. Analyze Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Analyzing KPIs helps determine when your asset is working fine and when it is not. KPIs enable maintenance managers to optimize asset performance and unleash the full potential of the asset. Optimizing performance requires following KPIs and setting benchmarks. KPIs are crucial for achieving upgraded asset performance.
7. Ensure Inventory Availability
During maintenance, parts are often replaced due to wear and tear. Ensuring the availability of replacement parts is critical for efficient maintenance. Without necessary parts, asset performance can decline, leading to further issues. Keeping an inventory of parts ensures maintenance can be performed efficiently and effectively.
Conclusion
These are the best asset maintenance practices for optimal performance. Organizations need to eliminate traditional approaches to asset maintenance, such as using spreadsheets and manual tracking. These practices are not beneficial for any business, especially when asset performance and optimization are the objectives.
The best practice is to utilize cloud-based asset management software. Investing in such software brings numerous benefits, including improved asset tracking, better maintenance scheduling, and enhanced overall performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are the Benefits of Cloud-Based Asset Management Software?
The benefits of cloud-based asset management software are:
1. Access to data from anywhere
2. Data security
3. Real-time information
4. Accurate and customized reports
5. Asset and inventory tracking
6. Quick and informed decisions
How Is Asset Tracking Done?
For asset tracking, asset tracking technology comes in the form of tags or labels. Each tag has a unique identification number. This number is stored in the automated software. When the unique ID is scanned, it retrieves all related information. The label is affixed to the asset and synchronized with the software for easy information access.
What Are the Various Types of Asset Tracking Techniques Available?
Various asset tracking techniques include barcode, QR (Quick Response) code, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), GPS (Global Positioning System), IoT (Internet of Things), and NFC (Near Field Communication). Each technology has its advantages and disadvantages.