Picking the right fleet management solution is the first part of your journey to creating a safer, more effective, and cost-conscious fleet. However, like anything else, you must use the right tools specific to your business and goals. This is where EAM and CMMS come in.
EAM stands for enterprise asset management, and it is a tool you use to optimize the use of your assets and get the most mileage out of them. On the other hand, CMMS stands for computerized maintenance management software, and it streamlines maintenance tasks for your vehicles and assets. These two technologies sound very similar, but they are very different. Let’s define both technologies more thoroughly, then dive into the EAM vs. CMMS.
What is CMMS?
As explained previously, CMMS is a tool that helps you optimize your maintenance processes– its focus is all on maintenance. By simplifying and promoting communication and coordination, this software makes maintenance far more manageable than handling things manually. What can CMMS help you accomplish?
- Automate maintenance scheduling
- Streamline inventory
- Manage work orders
- Maintain databases for maintenance and asset information
One feature of CMMS that stands out is work order management. This tool replaces paper-based work orders with digital ones. The goal is to reduce tedium and wasted time. Along a similar vein, CMMS may include programs that automate repetitive tasks. When maintenance processes are easier to maintain and execute, you reduce downtime, keep operators safe, and save money.
What is EAM?
EAM is all about preserving assets and getting the most out of them. CMMS is under the umbrella of EAM software, but EAM technology can have far more features. For example, an EAM system may offer an asset lifecycle management dashboard. This module helps you track where your assets are in their lifecycle, so you can rely on data to help you plan ahead. Replacing, updating, or changing assets too early or too late can be catastrophic for a business, so a tool like this is immensely useful for optimizing the use of your assets.
EAM vs. CMMS
You may be beginning to see the differences already, but let’s paint a clearer picture of how these two technology solutions differ. While CMMS focuses on maintenance, EAM covers many fleet business needs.
It’s important to know that CMMS systems are meant to operate at a single location; they do not have much support for managing multiple sites. However, with EAM, you can manage many sites with no problem.
Asset lifecycle tracking is another key difference between the two. CMMS only begins tracking once you purchase and install it. However, an EAM system knows the asset’s lifecycle from beginning to end.
Here is a visual guide to help clarify the matters that each system covers.
Which Software is Right for Me?
The answer to this question relies mainly on the size of your fleet. Larger companies will benefit more from EAM. If your business has more than 100 maintenance personnel or operates in multiple facilities, EAM is the best option for you. Many businesses start with CMMS software and then later upgrade to EAM software.
Comprehensive Software from Azuga
Azuga’s fleet management software covers all aspects of fleet management. You can easily tackle maintenance, asset management, safety concerns, and more with our fleet tools. To discover how Azuga can help you accomplish your goals, schedule a demo with one of our experts today.
