Enhancing the usability of maintenance data management systems

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to explore and study the aspects of usability related to eMaintenance solutions. The study aims to expand the domain of eMaintenance by increasing the usefulness of the computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) through improved usability. Design/methodology/approach -The paper opted for an exploratory study using interviews, one expert focus group discussion, and observations. Findings -The paper provides insights on specific usability characteristics that can be adapted to eMaintenance solutions for industrial usage, e.g. aviation and process industry. The findings show that the current implementations of eMaintenance solutions in CMMS, in many cases, suffer from an insufficient level of usability. This has led to usability issues resulting in errors and mistakes. The result is a call for a more user-based focus, in which, the system needs to be easily understood, easily navigated, containing the necessary information to conduct maintenance tasks, tracking of the work conducted and who was involved, and the system needs to be compatible with other systems so that necessary information can be accessed via the CMMS. Research limitations/implications -Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further. Practical implications -The paper includes implications for the development of a CMMS, which could have positive effects for maintenance tasks. Originality/value -This paper fulfills an identified need to study how CMMS actually fulfill the task they are designed to do.

Maintenance strategy selection and its impact in maintenance function

“…IT can lead to higher work productivity, machine availability, maintenance personnel effectiveness etc. Therefore, IT also impact maintenance decision making and this helps to optimize the maintenance cost and the equipment/asset reliability (Phillip and Ramin, 2014).…”

A methodology for continuous quality assurance of production data

“…This is very unfortunate since it is evident that data requirements can largely vary between organizational functions. For example, using data to calculate energy consumption of machines (Dettman et al 2013) differ from using it for predictive maintenance (Tretten and Karim 2014), and minor stoppages should be calculated as a lump sum to be manageable for operators (Ljungberg 1998). Furthermore, simulation are often ignored in the specification of the collection system and databases, resulting in that learning and understanding all data sources can be very time-consuming (Skoogh and Johansson, 2007).…”

Modifying Maintenance Practices within a Maritime Support Solution from a Cultural Perspective

“…Accurate data is essential in assisting a maintenance decision-making process, with poor or incorrect data adversely in°uencing desired maintenance planning (Tretten and Karim, 2014). Attributes of a proactive maintenance culture are exhibited, at all levels, by an organization that is successful in TPM.…”