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The Best Total Productive Maintenance Software for Efficient Factories

12 min read

 

Are you burdened by frequent equipment breakdowns, interrupted schedules, and escalating maintenance costs in your industrial facility? It might be time to consider implementing Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). The key idea behind TPM is transforming maintenance into a proactive, shared responsibility across your entire organization. This radical shift could streamline your operations and contribute to your bottom line.

More and more manufacturing industries are turning to total productive maintenance software to maximize efficiency and minimize downtime. As a comprehensive approach to maintenance that targets perfect production — zero breakdowns, zero defects, zero accidents — TPM represents a fundamental change in how maintenance is viewed: not as a necessary evil or begrudging expense, but as a vital cog in an organization's success. At the heart of TPM is the shared responsibility for maintenance, with machine operators involved in maintaining their equipment through cleaning, regular lubrication, and basic inspection.

 

 

Before you delve deeper into the necessary steps to implement TPM, let's understand at a glance some crucial aspects of Total Productive Maintenance software:

Snapshot of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) - Purpose: To promote a comprehensive, preventive maintenance system for equipment efficiency and longevity. - Approach: Involves all employees in all departments, emphasizing proactive and preventive maintenance. - Philosophy: Achieve total perfection with zero breakdowns, defects, and accidents. - Outcome: Increased productivity, improved quality, cost savings, and enhanced worker safety. - Lean Relation: TPM implementation is one of the critical strategies of Lean Manufacturing - Measurement: Effectiveness measured using Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) score – the benchmark for manufacturing productivity. - Solution: Total Productive Maintenance Software – a tool to effectively manage, track, and control all preventive maintenance activities.

Infographic on Total Productive Maintenance - total productive maintenance software infographic pillar-3-steps

At MicroMain, we've seen first-hand the transformative potential of a well-implemented TPM system, and we're excited to introduce you to some of the best total productive maintenance software available on the market today to help you get the most out of your maintenance operations.

Understanding the Importance of TPM in Manufacturing Industries

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is integral to modern manufacturing industries. Developed in the early 1950s, this lean manufacturing philosophy focuses on the total perfection of production processes. The goal is to eliminate breakdowns, defects, and accidents. As such, TPM positions maintenance operations as a core, value-added function rather than a cost center, making maintenance a competitive advantage.

The importance of TPM in factories cannot be overstated. It significantly reduces unscheduled downtime and lost revenue, enhancing productivity and efficiency. By sharing the responsibility of maintaining equipment across the entire organization, TPM ensures that everyone contributes to the maintenance process.

In addition, TPM emphasizes continuous process and procedure improvement, elimination of waste, and the prioritization of employee safety and well-being. These principles align with lean manufacturing, which aims to reduce the time and cost of production.

One of the critical strategies of TPM is the use of planned maintenance to reduce the likelihood of equipment failure. This proactive approach focuses on minimizing downtime, even if it means intentionally letting a low-value asset run to failure.

With proper implementation, TPM can save manufacturing companies millions of dollars in yearly downtime. However, to fully leverage the benefits of TPM, factories need to use effective, total productive maintenance software.

This is where we at MicroMain come in. Our TPM software solutions are designed to support your TPM initiatives by providing a seamless, efficient, and user-friendly platform for managing all your maintenance tasks. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the features of our software and how it can transform your manufacturing efficiency.

Key Features of an Effective TPM Software

When choosing the best total productive maintenance software, certain features are essential for effectively managing your maintenance operations. These features not only make the maintenance process more accessible but also contribute significantly to enhancing the overall productivity and efficiency of your manufacturing operations.

Proactive Information for Machinery and Maintenance Data

A vital feature of any effective TPM software is its ability to provide proactive information about machinery and maintenance data. This feature allows you to avoid potential issues by providing real-time updates and alerts about your machinery's performance and maintenance needs.

Our software at MicroMain provides this proactive information, allowing you to monitor the usage and performance of your equipment through detailed asset profiles. We provide real-time asset tracking and management, enabling you to streamline all procedures related to an asset, from maintenance scheduling to repairs.

Automation of Preventive Maintenance and Work Order Scheduling

Automation is another key feature of top-notch TPM software. It allows for automatically scheduling recurring maintenance tasks, ensuring optimal equipment availability and asset lifecycle. In addition, automated work order management enables you to request, schedule, assign, and track work orders in real-time, keeping track of labor hours and expenses.

At MicroMain, our preventive maintenance software allows you to automate work order scheduling, tracking, and completion. We make it easy to assign due dates and set automated alerts to ensure every work order is completed on time and within budget.

Comprehensive Data on Maintenance Costs

A TPM software should provide comprehensive data on maintenance costs, enabling you to track essential maintenance KPIs, forecast upcoming expenses, and evaluate technician performance. This data is crucial for making informed decisions about your maintenance operations and identifying areas for cost optimization.

MicroMain's TPM software provides detailed reporting and analytics, enabling you to track maintenance costs, downtime, and other essential metrics. We offer a clear overview of your maintenance operations, allowing you to make data-driven decisions and optimize your maintenance processes.

Compliance with Industry Standards

Finally, compliance with industry standards is crucial to any TPM software. This ensures your maintenance operations adhere to the required safety and quality standards, reducing the risk of accidents and product defects.

Our software at MicroMain is designed to support compliance with industry standards. We provide compliance and safety reports, making monitoring and demonstrating compliance with industry standards easy.

In conclusion, the key features of effective TPM software, such as proactive information for machinery and maintenance data, automation of preventive maintenance and work order scheduling, comprehensive data on maintenance costs, and compliance with industry standards, are all integral in enhancing the efficiency of your manufacturing operations. At MicroMain, we proudly offer a software solution that embodies these features, providing a holistic approach to total productive maintenance.

The Role of TPM in the Automotive and Aerospace Sectors

In industries such as automotive and aerospace, staying ahead of the curve in terms of maintenance and quality management is essential for efficient operations and to meet stringent industry standards. Total Productive Maintenance software plays a pivotal role in these sectors by addressing some of their significant challenges and meeting their unique demands.

Challenges in Managing Maintenance and Design/Process Artifacts

A challenge automotive and aerospace organizations face is the central management of all design/process artifacts. Maintenance and design data are often scattered across multiple systems, making it difficult to keep track of the asset history and maintenance schedules.

The Growing Popularity of AIAG-VDA FMEA Handbook in the Automotive Industry

The AIAG-VDA FMEA Handbook, released in June 2019, is gaining popularity in the global automotive industry. US and European OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) have started to require its use. A robust, total productive maintenance software can support the execution of FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) and other methodologies recommended by the handbook, ensuring automotive manufacturers meet industry standards and customer expectations.

The Need for Managing Suppliers Virtually with an Enterprise Supplier Quality Solution

In today's environment, managing suppliers virtually is a requirement. An enterprise supplier quality solution allows companies to oversee their suppliers remotely, ensuring quality control and efficient operations. This is where total productive maintenance software comes into play, providing tools for remote supplier management.

The Global Embrace of Digitalization of Quality by Over 100,000 Companies

Over 100,000 companies globally have embraced the digitalization of quality. Companies can digitize their maintenance and quality management processes by adopting total productive maintenance software, improving efficiency, and reducing errors. Software like ours at MicroMain offers comprehensive features for digitalization, helping businesses stay competitive in the global market.

The Use of APQP Methodology for Product Development in Various Industries

The APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) methodology is widely used in various industries for product development. TPM software needs to support APQP and similar methodologies. Our software at MicroMain not only supports these methodologies but also helps formalize them across the enterprise, ensuring consistency in product development processes.

In summary, the role of total productive maintenance software in the automotive and aerospace sectors is crucial. It helps overcome common challenges, supports industry-specific methodologies and standards, and facilitates the digital transformation of quality management.

The 5S Foundation of TPM and its Implementation

Before diving deep into the features of total productive maintenance software, understand the foundation on which it rests. A crucial part of TPM is the 5S methodology. Originating from Japan, the 5S stands for Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. Let's break down what each of these steps entails.

The Steps of Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain

Sort: The first step involves decluttering your workspace. Remove items that are not necessary for the production process. This enhances efficiency as technicians can quickly find what they need, and potential problems are easier to spot during routine inspections.

Set in Order: It's time to organize the remaining items after sorting. Following this step ensures that every item has its designated place. It streamlines workflows and makes finding and replacing parts or tools easier.

Shine: This step involves regular cleaning and maintenance of the workspace. By keeping the environment tidy and in good condition, you can extend the life of your assets and improve their performance.

Standardize: Standardization ensures that the previous steps are maintained consistently. This involves setting up schedules for regular cleaning and maintenance and ensuring that these schedules are followed.

Sustain/Self-discipline: The final step is all about discipline and commitment to maintain the standards set in previous actions. This involves training everyone properly and ensuring they understand the value of TPM.

The Role of CMMS Software in Organizing Inventory, Scheduling Preventive Maintenance, and Providing Reminders

Implementing the 5S methodology can be made much easier using Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software. At MicroMain, our CMMS software is crucial in implementing and maintaining these steps.

When it comes to setting in order, our CMMS software helps take the guesswork out of inventory management. It lets you track which materials and parts are often used, helping you organize your inventory more effectively.


For standardization, our software provides an easy-to-read calendar dashboard where you can schedule regular maintenance tasks. It also sends email reminders, making it nearly impossible to forget about scheduled maintenance.

Finally, to ensure sustainability, we provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure everyone can use our software effectively. We believe a CMMS should be a tool, not a hassle, so we made ours easy to use.

In conclusion, total productive maintenance software like MicroMain's CMMS is essential for implementing the 5S methodology effectively. It simplifies inventory management, helps schedule and remember preventive maintenance, and provides training and support to ensure sustainability. By using such software, factories can become more efficient and productive.

The Eight Pillars of TPM and How CMMS Software Supports Them

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is an essential methodology for efficient factories. It is based on eight pillars, each representing a critical aspect of an efficient and productive manufacturing process. Our total productive maintenance software uniquely supports each post, helping streamline operations and maximize productivity.

Autonomous Maintenance

Autonomous maintenance empowers operators to monitor and maintain their equipment and work areas. Our TPM software facilitates this by allowing operators to log and track maintenance activities and issues, ensuring everyone follows the same processes and procedures.

Planned Maintenance

Planned maintenance is all about scheduling preventive maintenance based on observed machine behaviors. Our software supports this by allowing you to set maintenance schedules and share them with operators and maintenance personnel. The goal is to minimize service interruptions by conducting maintenance when machines are idle or producing very little.

Quality Maintenance

This pillar focuses on proactively detecting errors or defects to prevent them from moving down the value chain. Our CMMS software helps achieve this by offering root cause analysis tools, enabling you to pinpoint and address issues at their source.

Focused Improvement

Focused improvement, or kaizen, is at the heart of TPM. It involves small teams brainstorming ways to improve maintenance and production processes. Our CMMS software facilitates this by collecting data from across the company, which can be used to prioritize preventive maintenance and other process improvements.

Early Equipment Maintenance

Early equipment maintenance involves using data from previous maintenance activities to optimize new equipment performance. Our software supports this by storing and organizing maintenance data in a way that is easily accessible and usable for future reference.

Education and Training

Proper training and education are critical to the successful execution of TPM. Our software helps facilitate this by providing a platform for training materials, guides, and resources.

Administrative and Office TPM

TPM should extend beyond the factory floor to administrative activities. Our CMMS software helps streamline administrative tasks such as order processing, procurement, and scheduling, making them more efficient and waste-free.

Safety Health Environmental Conditions

Our total productive maintenance software is designed to enhance safety, health, and environmental conditions. It allows anyone to report safety concerns to the maintenance department, ensuring problems are fixed before anyone gets hurt.

In conclusion, each of these eight pillars plays a crucial role in implementing Total Productive Maintenance, and our CMMS software provides the necessary support to make this implementation successful.

The Role of MicroMain in Providing Efficient TPM Software

After understanding the importance and intricacies of Total Productive Maintenance, highlight how MicroMain's CMMS and EAM software can support these principles, ensuring smooth and efficient factory operations.

Overview of MicroMain's CMMS and EAM Software

At MicroMain, we offer industry-leading maintenance and asset management software that aligns with the principles of Total Productive Maintenance. Our software is designed to streamline maintenance operations, improve asset reliability, and boost productivity.

From proactive machinery information to automated preventive maintenance scheduling, our software provides a comprehensive solution for managing all maintenance activities in the manufacturing industry. It also offers crucial data on maintenance costs, helping you monitor expenses and plan maintenance budgets effectively.

The Power, Flexibility, and Ease of Use of MicroMain's Software

Our software is more than just powerful and flexible; it's also incredibly user-friendly. As one of our clients, E'Lise Tozzi from Glenview at Pelican Bay, testified, "MicroMain's software is so easy to use I was able to understand the system almost instantly. Projects that used to take hours to do are now done in minutes."

We understand that every manufacturing operation is unique, so our software is customized to suit each client's needs. Whether dealing with HVAC, plumbing, or electrical issues or managing properties and assets, our software can be tailored to handle it all.

The Trusted Reputation and Industry-Leading Features of MicroMain

MicroMain has a solid reputation as a trusted CMMS and EAM software provider. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our innovative technology has assisted numerous businesses in improving their maintenance operations and reducing costs.

Our software offers over 4,500 standard reports covering properties, assets, costs, etc. These detailed reports and advanced business intelligence tools enable you to make data-driven decisions that enhance your facility maintenance and overall productivity.

The Wide User Base of Over 10,000 Users of MicroMain's Software

Our software is trusted by over 10,000 users across various sectors, including manufacturing, education, healthcare, government, and property management. This comprehensive user base is a testament to the effectiveness and reliability of our software in enhancing maintenance operations.
Whether a small business or a large enterprise, our software can scale to meet your needs, ensuring you can manage multiple sites and vast amounts of data efficiently.

In conclusion, as you navigate the path of Total Productive Maintenance, MicroMain's CMMS and EAM software can provide the support you need to drive efficiency, reduce downtime, and maintain a productive factory. Explore the power of our software with a free trial today.

In the dynamic world of industrial manufacturing, the right Total Productive Maintenance software can make a significant difference in the efficiency and effectiveness of your operations. Leveraging TPM tools can bring many benefits, including reduced downtime, increased equipment uptime, standardized work processes, and minimized maintenance costs.

At MicroMain, we understand TPM's critical role in the manufacturing industry. Our industry-leading CMMS software is designed to support the implementation of TPM, focusing on proactive and preventive maintenance, data analytics, and work order management.

Our software is not just a tool but a powerful ally in your TPM journey. It helps you create a clean and organized work environment, a fundamental aspect of the 5-S system of TPM. By providing real-time data and insights, our software enables you to effectively make informed decisions, anticipate issues, and plan preventive maintenance activities.

One of the key advantages of our software is its user-friendly interface and ease of use. With this TPM tool, you can easily assign and track tasks, analyze results and trends, and even use AI to anticipate and plan through the heatmap.

Ultimately, the right TPM software is about improving equipment reliability and instilling a culture of continuous improvement. It empowers your employees to take ownership of their work, fostering a sense of responsibility and commitment to delivering the highest quality products.

Choosing the right TPM software is crucial for any manufacturing company aiming for efficient factories. At MicroMain, we are committed to providing the best solutions to meet your needs.

We invite you to explore more about our Total Productive Maintenance offerings and other solutions that can help you optimize your operations. Try our free trial to experience the difference that our software can make in your organization.

In manufacturing, where efficiency and productivity are paramount, MicroMain's Total Productive Maintenance software could be the key to unlocking your factory's full potential.

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