In the industrial world, maintenance stands as the guardian of functionality, ensuring equipment longevity. Beyond being a routine practice, asset maintenance emerges as the strategic core that drives both financial results and investment preservation.

Maintenance is not only the financial underpinning, but also the key to extending equipment life. This reality comes to life in a scenario where modernization of the production floor is a constant transformation.

Partnering with technology: Adapt or be left behind

The evolution of the production floor is not a coincidence, but an imperative response to improve efficiency and maximize profits. In this context, technology is not only an ally in production, but also in industrial maintenance.

Integrating technology not only in production, but also in maintenance, becomes the key to preventing unexpected shutdowns and critical situations. Technology offers predictability that translates into smooth operations. Despite the benefits, some business leaders continue to underestimate the value of maintenance, viewing it more as an ornament than an essential part of business strategy. 

Going to the concept What is asset maintenance?

Asset maintenance refers to the set of practices and strategies implemented to ensure the proper functioning, reliability and extended useful life of a company's physical assets. These assets may include machinery, equipment, facilities and other items critical to business operations. 

The main objective is to prevent failures, optimize performance and reduce operating costs associated with unplanned repairs or replacements. In short, asset maintenance is a crucial discipline to ensure efficiency and continuity in business operations.

Problems indicating lack of industrial maintenance

In the business world, extending the service life of machines is a constant challenge. However, many face unnecessary pain by neglecting a structured maintenance plan. This neglect not only impacts equipment longevity, but also triggers a number of additional pains that may go unnoticed.

The first obvious drawback is the lack of a solid maintenance plan. Without a clear strategy for preserving and caring for assets, machines run the risk of premature failure and accelerated wear and tear. This neglect not only affects the useful life of the machines, but also creates a scenario ripe for additional financial pain.

Other problems arise when control over input costs is insufficient. Without effective oversight, the costs associated with machine maintenance can become an unforeseen financial burden. This lack of control can negatively affect profitability and competitiveness in the marketplace.

Other detectable challenges

Beyond the obvious pains, there are other underlying challenges that may go unnoticed, but have a significant impact:

1. 1. Lack of accurate and reliable budgets: This translates into financial uncertainty. Without clear guidance, companies may find themselves ill-equipped to manage maintenance expenses effectively, resulting in unwanted financial surprises.
   2. Problems in machine and equipment allocation: Inefficient allocation of machines and equipment within the period can result in unnecessary downtime. This lack of coordination directly affects productivity and ultimately the company's profitability.
   3. Poor contract management: Poor management of maintenance contracts introduces the possibility of overpayments or non-optimized services. Lack of a strategic approach to contract management can lead to unprofitable agreements. unprofitable and erode the financial health of the company.
   4. Increased operating costsOperating costs can skyrocket when efficient maintenance practices are not implemented. Increased operating expenses directly impact competitiveness and the ability to offer products or services at competitive prices.
   5. Inefficient resource planning: Lack of effective resource planning, including equipment and people, time and date, can lead to an unbalanced distribution of workloads. This can result in overloading some resources while others remain underutilized. remain underutilized.
   6. Inefficient check in/out: Inefficiency in the check in/out process adds an additional layer of complexity. This lack of control over the check in and check out of resources affects operational visibility and can contribute to the wasted time and resources. and resources.

The Prescription for Relief: Smart Maintenance Strategies

It is important to implement smart maintenance strategies. A structured plan that addresses budget shortfalls, resource allocation issues and poor contract management can transform these challenges into opportunities for growth and efficiency. By adopting advanced technologies and proactive approaches, companies can unlock the full potential of their assets and overcome industrial maintenance obstacles.

Breaking Down the Different Faces of Industrial Maintenance

• • Preventive Maintenance: Focused on planning, this type seeks to prevent failures through scheduled inspections and wear analysis.

• • Predictive Maintenance: A holistic approach based on the operator's senses to identify anomalies in real time, such as noise, vibration and temperature changes.
  • Corrective Maintenance: Responds to existing failures, requiring the stoppage of machinery for repairs.

A hybrid approach that embraces the advantages of each type of maintenance, backed by technology, becomes the formula for information integration, efficient organization and cost reduction.

Advantages of investing in technology

• • Increased productivity: Facilitates the execution of maintenance routines and avoids unexpected stoppages, ensuring an uninterrupted flow of activities.

• • Cost reduction: Efficient planning of preventive maintenance reduces costs compared to corrective maintenance.

• • Continuous surveillance: The integration of management systems allows monitoring the operation in real time, alerting about possible failures.

• • Agility in internal processes: Effective planning improves the execution of internal processes, providing agility.
  • Innovation: The adoption of technology modernizes the company, making it better able to cope with current demands.

Industrial Maintenance Software: TOTVS Manufacturing

In the market, several software options for industrial maintenance are available, with TOTVS Manufacturing standing out. This efficient and modern ERP is aligned with Industry 4.0, providing total control over production and offering specific functions for maintenance, asset control and technical assistance. 

Here are some ways TOTVS contributes to maintaining a company's teams:

• • Production control: TOTVS Manufacturing enables detailed production control, which helps prevent unplanned interruptions and improves operational efficiency.

• • Preventive maintenance: The solution facilitates the implementation of preventive maintenance programs, helping to increase the useful life of equipment by avoiding possible failures.

• • Asset management: Provides tools for asset tracking and management, enabling efficient allocation of machines and equipment, as well as more precise control over available resources.

• • Resource planning: Assists in planning resources, including equipment and personnel, optimizing time and scheduling to improve operational efficiency.

• • Check in/out: Facilitates tracking of equipment and tools entering and leaving the workplace.
  • Advanced technology: By integrating advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics, TOTVS Manufacturing provides a more complete, real-time view of assets, enabling more informed decision making.

In summary, TOTVS provides a comprehensive solution that addresses various aspects of asset maintenance, improving efficiency, reducing operating costs and contributing to increasing the useful life of equipment in the industrial environment.

If you would like to learn more about how TOTVS can help you improve your company's efficiency, contact us.