Best Facility Management Software: 2023 Guide

Investing in a new facility management software system is a huge decision, and your organization could experience some level of disruption regarding the new technology—you need to know you’re making the right choice.

Some computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) solutions run on preventive maintenance, while others use preventive and predictive maintenance. Some are primarily mobile and SaaS-based, and others are on-premise tools. eMaint, UpKeep, Hippo, FMX, MaintainX—and LLumin’s CMMS+ are all leading CMMS solutions built for mobility and efficiency.

Today we’ll look at:

• LLumin – Their all-in-one CMMS+.
• eMaint. A leading provider of preventive/predictive maintenance software solutions.
• UpKeep – An easy-to-use, newer predictive maintenance contender.
• Hippo – A simple, easy preventative maintenance system.
• FMX – A high-priced but robust solution for schools and educational facilities.
• MaintainX – An affordable and easy preventive maintenance solution.

Let’s dig deeper to find the best facility management software for you.

At-A-Glance: Facility Management Software Systems

	Pricing/month/user	Founded	Predictive Maintenance	Preventive Maintenance	Work Orders	Asset Tracking
LLumin	$45+	2004	✅	✅	✅	✅
eMaint	$69+	1986	✅	✅	✅	✅
UpKeep	$45+	2014	✅	✅	✅	✅
Hippo	$35+	2004	❌	✅	✅	✅
FMX	$250+	2012	✅	✅	✅	✅
MaintainX	$8.33+	2018	❌	✅	✅	✅

Built for facilities from industrial plants to healthcare infrastructure, LLumin’s CMMS+ is a complete all-in-one operations-focused maintenance management suite. LLumin uses sensor-based Internet of Things (IoT) data to monitor assets in real-time while also automating live data collection and workflow. In the CMMS+, facilities managers can analyze and optimize their strategies, while maintenance technicians can easily find and resolve tickets.

LLumin’s CMMS+ gives your organization the support it needs to minimize downtime, improve safety, and meet regulatory compliance.

Top Features

• Predictive maintenance
• Preventive maintenance
• Work order and asset management
• Industry leading parts and MRO materials management

Pros: 

• Comprehensive and all-in-one CMMS+ solution
• Advanced features for preventive maintenance, work order management, asset management, and inventory control
• Customizable to fit specific business needs
• Provides real-time data and analytics for better decision-making
• Integration with other software systems
• Mobile app for on-the-go maintenance management
• Excellent customer support and training resources

Cons:

• Requires minimal training and customization

LLumin’s CMMS+ Reviews Say

While you can find good reviews for every CMMS system, LLumin’s reviews really stand out. If you read the Softwareadvice.com reviews, even the “cons” were pros. 

Pros:

• “LLumin has enabled us to better manage over $350MM in assets. Our ability to quickly obtain a list of equipment, sorted by location and work cell, has been invaluable when providing analytics back to our field teams and enabling fact-based decision-making. We have auto-generated work orders that help us keep up with our warranty-dependent preventative maintenance schedules and have achieved more accountability with respect to the timing of requests and completion of work. The implementation of these new processes, reliant on LLumin as the enablement tool, has been an important shift for our organization and our ability to continuously improve. LLumin has been great to work with, and we look forward to a long partnership.”
• “Like a fine wine, LLumin software just keeps getting better and better with their updates. We have used the software for many years. As the company listens to feedback from its users, their updates just keep rolling out better ideas. Things work seamlessly between the different modules, no matter if your primary goal is inventory management or preventive maintenance. I highly recommend this software.

Cons:

• “This is difficult to answer. Every software will have one or more gaps, given that they are not specifically designed for us and our processes. Having said that, we have found that to be minimal, and in some cases, our internal processes were found to be overly complicated. If we solve for that, we will have far fewer issues. It is important to note that we have only laid the foundation. We have a roadmap of additional features to implement after we stabilize phase 1. We have 60 plus sites that will be using the software.”
• “Can’t think of a ‘con.’ If we come across something we don’t understand or would like to change, the LLumin team is right there and works with us through everything.”

Reasons for choosing LLumin:

• “The other programs we looked at had a lot of bells and whistles that made the program less user-friendly. They were more geared to appeal to upper management, not daily users.”
• “LLumin was the only product that would enable us to manage rolling stock and plant equipment. We can use data from our telematics devices and our SCADA system to trigger work with this system. Furthermore, the system is easy to navigate, has mobile capability, has a flexible security model, and has nice reporting tools. Finally, they have integrated with other companies using our same ERP system, although our overall approach is to pull data from our data warehouse.”

Reasons for switching to LLumin:

• “Express maintenance would not speak with our financial system, and the POs would not route for approval.”
• “eMaint had its good and bad points, but customer service just wasn’t what I expected. The LLumin team always comes through, treating you like you’re their highest priority.”

An award-winning CMMS suite, eMaint focuses on tracking work orders, preventive maintenance schedules, and part inventories. eMaint minimizes downtime and improves reliability through its predictive maintenance solutions. Reviewers report that customer service is reliable, but the platform can have a significant learning curve. 

Top Features

• Work order management
• Predictive maintenance
• Asset register/asset tracking

Pros: 

• Established provider of preventive/predictive maintenance software
• A range of features for work order management, asset tracking, maintenance planning, and reporting
• User-friendly interface and intuitive navigation
• Mobile app for on-the-go maintenance management
• Good customer support and training resources

Cons:

• Pricing may be on the higher end for smaller businesses
• Some advanced features may require additional customization or configuration
• Limited integration options with other software systems

eMaint Reviews Say

eMaint reviewers say while the implementation went smoothly, some features are lacking.

• “Good implementation and great support for this product.”
• “It is very difficult to track component failure. I would like a history of components changed on a machine, but I don’t know if this is possible.”

An Asset Operations Management platform, UpKeep streamlines day-to-day maintenance management for an organization’s operations team. In UpKeep, organizations can improve their asset utilization and track the real-time performance of their solutions. 

Top Features

• Work order management
• Materials management
• Approval management

Pros: 

• Easy-to-use interface, suitable for newer users
• Offers preventive maintenance features and basic work order management
• Mobile app allows for convenient on-site maintenance tasks
• Affordable pricing plans
• Good customer support and regular updates

Cons:

• Lacks some advanced features offered by competitors
• Limited scalability for larger businesses with complex maintenance needs
• Integration options may be limited

UpKeep Reviews Say

UpKeep reviewers praise its mobile app but note that it can be complex.

• “Sometimes it can be a bit too complicated, but overall the ease of navigating it either on the phone app or your computer browser makes it a great choice.”
• “The UI needs work, especially when moving parts around or finding assets in a location.”

Hippo is a CMMS with over 1,300 customers. Focused on making maintenance easy and accessible, Hippo makes its features clean and easy to use. In Hippo, technicians can easily see what they need to do quickly. At the same time, more robust reports or features may not be easily accessible.

Top Features

• Preventative maintenance
• Work order management
• Reporting/analytics

Pros: 

• Simple and user-friendly preventative maintenance system
• Intuitive interface and easy navigation
• Affordable pricing plans
• Offers basic features for work order management and asset tracking
• Good customer support and onboarding assistance

Cons:

• Lacks some advanced features compared to other providers
• Limited scalability for larger organizations
• Integration options may be limited

Hippo Reviews Say

Hippo reviewers note that it’s a feature-complete tool but can be a bit of a “rabbit hole.”

• “I will be honest with you, when I first started using it, I found it to be a rabbit hole. After a couple of years, it did improve, I think one of the better things you did was add the help IM.”
• “This has been minimally inconvenient, and only at times. The data entry levels have also been cumbersome.”

FMX stands for Facilities Management eXpress, a cloud-based facilities management company that makes it easier to submit, track, and manage requests and assets. FMX focuses on giving facilities managers the visibility they need into costs and efficiency. This solution is highly customizable and easy to use—but it’s primarily designed for school management and maintenance.

Top Features

• Work order management
• Asset management
• Data consolidation

Pros: 

• Specifically designed for schools and educational facilities
• Offers comprehensive features for maintenance management, scheduling, and asset tracking
• Customizable to meet specific educational institution needs
• Integration options with other systems like calendar and email
• Good customer support and training resources

Cons:

• Higher pricing compared to some other solutions
• May have a steeper learning curve for new users
• Limited availability of industry-specific features for non-educational facilities

FMX Reviews Say

FMX reviewers rave about the product’s features but have some concerns about the complexity of training.

• “They truly care about their clients and go above and beyond to make sure they are happy with the product.”
• “Have not figured out a way to add folders to the equipment, so the equipment manuals are more difficult to navigate in the software since there are so many individual PDFs.”

MaintainX is a mobile-first CMMS solution primarily designed for the industrial industry with technicians working on mobile devices. An Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled, cloud-based tool, MaintainX will collect sensor-driven data and produce workflow and work order management. MaintainX provides predictive analytics, materials management, and asset management.

Top Features

• Work order management
• Predictive maintenance 
• Preventive maintenance

Pros: 

• An affordable solution for preventive maintenance needs
• User-friendly interface and easy setup
• Offers basic features for work orders, inspections, and task management
• Mobile app for on-the-go maintenance management
• Good customer support and regular updates

Cons:

• Lacks some advanced features offered by more established providers
• Limited scalability for larger organizations with complex maintenance needs
• Integration options may be limited

MaintainX Reviews Say

MaintainX reviewers enjoy the system’s utility but have run into a few issues.

• “We have used this product for over a year, and it is wonderful. I have four maintenance guys that I keep track of, and this is by far the best app that I have used.”
• “There is no email system to communicate with clients and vendors, it’s all done through the App.”

What to Look for When Selecting Facility Management Software

To find the best facility management software, you first need to understand the features you need. Today’s facility management software is differentiated by a few key features, which are:

• Platform – Is it mobile-first and cloud-enabled? Can your technicians pull up an iOS or Android app and view it from anywhere? Some outdated systems aren’t cloud-enabled or mobile-friendly.
• Industry – Is it tailored for a specific industry? Will it provide the custom features that you need for yours? Custom software builds are expensive, and some out-of-the-box options aren’t that customizable.
• Preventive/Predictive maintenance – Some systems only provide preventative maintenance schedules. Others use AI, IoT, and ML technologies to provide true predictive maintenance.
• Ease of use – Is it easy to navigate the system for even non-tech-savvy employees? Are there too many bells and whistles, making the system clunky and over complicated? If the system is too difficult to use, your maintenance techs either won’t use it, use it wrong, or will need perpetual training.

And, of course…

• Budget – Most platforms charge per user and per month, ranging from a few dollars a month to thousands a year.

But if you’re not sure what you need yet, your best bet is to try out a demo.

LLumin: The Best Facility Management Software for Predictive Maintenance 

What makes LLumin’s CMMS+ the best facility management software for predictive maintenance? While many facility management solutions provide basic preventive maintenance or predictive maintenance services, LLumin is embedded within your smart facility management. Key differentiators include:

• AI-driven insights – Real-time IoT data isn’t just collected—it’s analyzed. LLumin uses machine learning algorithms to determine when assets are most likely to fail, reducing disruption and increasing uptime.
• A complete implementation process – LLumin will help you integrate your new CMMS+ solution into your facility from start to finish. Complete your digital transformation easily by having your transition managed by the experts.
• Best-in-class customer support – Any questions you have, LLumin can answer. LLumin provides best-in-class customer support to help your organization and employees adapt to its new solution.

FAQs

What Is Facility Management Software?

A facility management software platform makes it easier for your organization to monitor its critical assets—including repairs and maintenance programs. Facility management software includes asset management, work orders, and repair inventories.

What Is the Difference Between CMMS and CAFM?

Computer-aided facility management (CAFM) tends to be broader and more focused on automating a facility and making it smart—it may deal with energy efficiency and budgets. CMMS solutions are more focused on work orders and repairs.

What Is the Best Software for Maintenance Management?

eMaint, UpKeep, and Hippo are all popular solutions for maintenance management, but LLumin’s CMMS+ provides a complete predictive maintenance package bolstered by a proven implementation process and access to training and support.

Why LLumin Is a Step Above the Rest

There are indeed many facility management software systems to choose from, but LLumin is different. We are innovative and transformative and have a proven solution built on integrating systems and software, creating a truly smart, proactive facility rather than reactive. What’s more, we have put intense focus on the end user. Our easy-to-use CMMS+ can be configured by job role so that employees can intuitively understand and navigate the software to complete their work without struggling with the very thing designed to help them.

So if you are looking for a cutting-edge CMMS+ with a seamless implementation process and an expert customer support staff, then LLumin is a perfect fit.

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Getting Started With LLumin

LLumin develops innovative CMMS software to manage and track assets for industrial plants, municipalities, utilities, fleets, and facilities. To get started with the best facility management software, we encourage you to schedule a free demo or contact the experts at LLumin to see how our CMMS+ software can help you reach your efficiency and cost-cutting goals.