The use of computerised maintenance management systems to support team-based maintenance

With increasing competitive pressures in a global economy, manufacturing organisations are constantly looking for new methods to maximise efficiency and effectiveness, and hence profitability. Philosophies like Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and Reliability-Centred Maintenance (RCM) have been employed to help companies achieve this aim, by focusing on the maintenance function and activities. As a result, in many such organisations, the manufacturing and production environments have changed dramatically. The modern maintenance model now revolves around empowered teams. This maintenance environment is also characterised by fewer engineers or craftspeople being required to be more productive. ln addition, more data, information, and knowledge are essential for attaining full technical and operational understanding of the plant, equipment and processes. Information technology is being called upon to assist in achieving a broad range of objectives in contemporary maintenance management. Computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS) in particular, are nowadays expected to facilitate teamwork, and support maintenance programmes based on the contemporary philosophies of TPM and RCM. This thesis investigates the design, as well as the use and application of CMMS in manufacturing industry. The main outcome provides the principal aspects and necessary features of CMMS that can successfully facilitate teamwork, and support TPM or RCM programmes across the whole manufacturing sector. The research was actually based on an extensive literature survey from a plethora of available information sources, as well as a manufacturing industry survey based on postal questionnaires and actual visits to manufacturing plants.