Computerized Maintenance Management System
A computerized maintenance management system, or CMMS, is software used to plan, assign, record, and review maintenance work across assets, locations, teams, spare parts, and compliance records.
What this term means in maintenance
A computerized maintenance management system, or CMMS, is software used to plan, assign, record, and review maintenance work across assets, locations, teams, spare parts, and compliance records.
Why a CMMS matters
Maintenance information often becomes scattered across spreadsheets, paper files, emails, and messaging groups. A CMMS brings the work into one controlled system so teams can see what was requested, what was planned, who completed it, what parts were used, and what remains pending.
What a CMMS normally manages
- Assets and locations
- Work requests and work orders
- Preventive maintenance schedules
- Checklists and work instructions
- Labor and contractor assignments
- Spare-parts usage
- Downtime and failure information
- Maintenance history
- Audit and compliance evidence
Practical example
A production operator notices abnormal vibration on a pump and raises a work request. The supervisor reviews the request, creates a work order, assigns a technician, and records the repair. The asset history then shows the failure, action taken, parts used, technician, completion date, and follow-up work.
Common mistake
A CMMS should not become only a digital filing cabinet. Its value comes from consistent asset data, clear priorities, realistic maintenance plans, and disciplined work-order completion.
How MaintBoard supports this
MaintBoard helps manufacturing and facility teams control work requests, work orders, preventive maintenance, inspections, asset history, spare parts, and maintenance reporting from one system.
Related concepts
Related maintenance terms
Keep exploring connected CMMS, reliability, and maintenance planning terms.
Work Order
A work order is an authorized record that defines maintenance work to be performed, including the asset, priority, scope, assignee, instructions, labor, parts, status, and completion evidence.
Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is planned work performed at defined time, usage, or meter intervals to reduce the likelihood of equipment failure or deterioration.
Asset Register
An asset register is the controlled list of equipment, systems, and maintainable items for which an organization needs identification, ownership, maintenance, and lifecycle records.
Glossary FAQs
- What does CMMS stand for?
CMMS stands for Computerized Maintenance Management System.
- Who normally uses a CMMS?
Maintenance managers, supervisors, planners, technicians, operators, stores teams, contractors, and compliance personnel may use different parts of a CMMS.
- Can a CMMS replace maintenance spreadsheets?
A CMMS can replace many operational maintenance spreadsheets by controlling assets, work orders, schedules, parts, history, and reporting in one system.