Equipment can be a costly investment for many construction based companies. That’s why keeping equipment in good working order to maintain its longevity, is a must.
How’s that achieved? By the implementation of preventative maintenance, which is the regular scheduled maintenance that a company undertakes to keep equipment in good, working order. Preventive maintenance differs to reactive maintenance, which is the maintenance done on the run when something breaks.
Of course, in the short term preventive maintenance can seem costly. Why would you want to pay out for scheduled maintenance checks when equipment is working? Why not just fix a tool when it breaks?
Actually, that approach is remiss. Why? Believe it or not the price of reactive maintenance is high. Sudden, urgent repairs needed at a moment’s notice cost more than just the dollar amount of the repair. How?
Broken equipment can cause project delays and negatively impact customer relations. And bad reviews are bad for business.
Sometimes, a business is forced to purchase a second tool, because they cannot wait around for the equipment to be repaired (which could take up two to four weeks to resolve.) Now you own two tools – one that you didn’t really need. – and you’ve paid out a $1000 on the new tool, not to mention the cost of repairing the first tool, too.
Not surprisingly then, reactive maintenance costs typically run between 18 and 20% higher than instigating preventive maintenance. And that just doesn’t make good business sense.
How frequently should preventive maintenance of equipment be undertaken? At the least, businesses should follow the recommendations of the equipment manufacturer. Although at times those guidelines, may underestimate rather than overestimate preventive maintenance schedules and should be viewed as a starting point rather than the law.
Preventive maintenance might seem expensive to implement, but it’s worth it. Following, a solid preventive maintenance schedule, should ensures that equipment is safe to use by your teams and legally compliant. This will help minimize workplace accidents, and help in a litigation case if one happens.
Tracking maintenance can be done efficiently today with a tool tracking solution. As opposed to the old fashioned spreadsheet or paper and pen solution, tool tracking using software comes with a big win – it enables helpful data collection.
Tool tracking solutions usually come with reporting features, which enable businesses to identify potential misuse of equipment. Now, you can be sure which tools are in the wrong team’s hands or are not in anyone’s hands at all. That information allows you to correct equipment roll out and enables you to sell off redundant equipment, allowing your business to run more economically.
Data also enables businesses to identify equipment that is faulty and prone to breakdowns. You’ll run reports on equipment that’s out of commission and that data will enable you to offload faulty equipment and purchase alternative brand equipment, ones that have a more substantial lifecycle, for a better investment payout.
Data tracking also ensures organizations are better able to identify when it is time for equipment to be replaced, and ensures that you’ll have clear notice of what equipment is at the end of its life cycle for better financial planning, too.
What tool tracking software should you use to implement effective preventive maintenance and tracking?
For tool and equipment companies, there’s no more reliable of an asset tracking and preventive maintenance system than GoCodes Asset Tracking. Not only does it allow you to track your tools using a range of trackers (from QR rugged tags to Real Time to Bluetooth) but it provides the preventive scheduling and notifications that you need to stay on top of your maintenance. And it’s so easy to use, your team members simply need a phone to receive maintenance schedules, implement that schedule and confirm its been completed all by scanning a barcode and updating the asset information.
GoCodes Asset Tracking’ asset management tracking system provides a superior method of preventive maintenance, and it’s easy-to-use reporting provides all managers with the data to drive excellent planning and decision making, too.
So, nail preventive maintenance and tool tracking, and get your business on the level! Your customers, team and tools with thank you for it! And so will your pocket!
Sources:
http://modmedsys.com/medical-equipment-inspections/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code
Other Resources:
Checking In & Out: Tools and Equipment
Using QR Codes to Track Equipment Maintenance
How to Choose the Best Inventory Management Software for your Business
Asset Management and Inventory Tracking Forum
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