Summary: Organizations across industries are modernizing their asset management practices by adopting advanced software tools. Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) are two commonly used solutions. CMMS is a maintenance management software that centralizes information and automates maintenance operations. On the other hand, EAM provides a comprehensive overview of a company’s physical assets and manages their lifecycle. While CMMS focuses on maintenance and repair activities, EAM offers a broader range of functionalities including contract management and energy monitoring. Both solutions have their strengths and selecting the right one depends on an organization’s specific needs.

CMMS vs EAM: What’s the difference?

CMMS and EAM software serve similar purposes by improving asset performance and reducing costs. However, they have key differences in functionality and approach:

• CMMS is dedicated to maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) for assets, while EAM manages the entire lifecycle of assets.
• EAM provides multi-site support across multiple worksites and geographies, whereas CMMS typically supports single-site or limited multi-site operations.
• EAM covers a wider range of business functions such as contract management and fleet management, which are not typically included in CMMS systems.

While CMMS can be seen as a subset of EAM and is suitable for companies with small asset portfolios, EAM is recommended for organizations with large-scale asset management needs and the integration of multiple business functions.

IBM Maximo Application Suite

If you’re looking for a comprehensive asset management solution, consider IBM Maximo Application Suite. It combines the benefits of CMMS and EAM, utilizing AI, IoT, and analytics to optimize asset performance and reduce operational downtime and costs. The suite offers configurable CMMS and EAM applications that effectively manage company assets, processes, and people.

Start maximizing the value of your enterprise assets with IBM Maximo Application Suite.

FAQ

1. What is CMMS?

CMMS stands for Computerized Maintenance Management System. It is a maintenance management software that automates maintenance operations and centralizes maintenance information.

2. What is EAM?

EAM stands for Enterprise Asset Management. It is a comprehensive software solution that provides a holistic view of a company’s physical assets and manages their entire lifecycle.

3. What is the difference between CMMS and EAM?

While both CMMS and EAM improve asset performance and reduce costs, CMMS focuses on maintenance and repair activities, while EAM manages the entire lifecycle of assets. EAM also offers a broader range of functionalities and provides multi-site support.

4. Which solution is right for my organization?

The choice between CMMS and EAM depends on your organization’s specific needs. If you have a small asset portfolio and mainly require maintenance and repair management, CMMS may suffice. However, for organizations with large-scale asset management needs and the integration of multiple business functions, EAM is recommended.

Sources: IDC