Essentially, EAM contains the functionality of CMMS, ³ and their functions can overlap. To discern key differences between CMMS and EAM, it’s helpful to take a brief look at the history of CMMS and the relationship between CMMS, EAM and APM.Īs CMMS evolved, it established a foundation for EAM. The two share very similar functions and objectives but are essentially different. The term CMMS is often confused or used interchangeably with EAM or enterprise asset management. It offers greater functionality with faster implementation, easier maintenance and greater data security. The latest generation of CMMS is cloud-based and highly mobile. The 2000s saw the emergence of intranets and web-based connectivity that expanded CMMS capabilities to a range of mobile devices, field applications and operational sites. In the 1990s, CMMS began to share information across local area networks or LANs. In the 1970s, punch cards gave way to checklists fed into CMMS systems by technicians at the end of their shifts.ĬMMS gained greater prevalence with smaller and mid-sized businesses in the 1980s and 90s as computers became smaller, more affordable, more distributed - and more connected. Technicians used punch cards and IBM mainframes to inform computerized records and track maintenance tasks. The earliest versions of CMMS appeared in the 1960s and were typically used by large enterprises. ¹īefore CMMS, obtaining centralized, dynamic visibility and automated management was impractical because maintenance information was buried in paper files, and later, scattered across spreadsheets. Analyze information to understand asset availability, performance trends, MRO inventory optimization and other information to support business decisions and gather and organize information for audits. Reporting, analysis and auditing: Generate reports across maintenance categories such as asset availability, materials usage, labor and material costs, supplier assessments and more. Manage suppliers, track inventory costs and automate resupply. Materials and inventory management: Inventory, distribute and reclaim maintenance and repair operation (MRO) equipment and materials across storage areas, distribution centers and facilities. Sequence and schedule preventive work orders. Use preventive maintenance to organize and associate assets across multiple orders. Preventive maintenance: Automate work order initiation based on time, usage or triggered events.