Introduction What works for one business doesn't always work for all businesses. That is one of the universal rules of companies. There are so many different factors that can change whether certain strategies or functions work well with you; from organizational structure to budget constraints, from team size to operational complexity, you have to be careful when approaching new ideas.  This is true with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), which are a crucial tool in modern business but the use of it (and the value it brings) varies depending on many factors, including business size. CMMS is a remarkably versatile...

Introduction The manufacturing industry has faced several challenges over recent years, including inflation, supply chain disruptions, material shortages, increased transportation and fuel costs, and more. While the inflation rate has diminished, experts indicate that manufacturers will continue to face higher costs in 2025 due to the high price index for input materials and components and higher compensation costs. Talent challenges persist. And while supply chains have stabilized, they have not returned to pre-pandemic normalcy. Higher U.S. investments in manufacturing, specifically clean-technology manufacturing, and lower interest rates are expected to help create new job opportunities and drive long-term growth. Yet, manufacturers...

Introduction The planet is getting warmer, extreme weather is not uncommon anymore, sea levels are rising, the air and water are polluted, and ecosystems are dying. We’re putting the planet’s health and ourselves at risk. And this is all because of the sheer amount of energy our industries need to run. While industries alone cannot be blamed, they are a major contributor. The sad part is, despite this, a lot of energy just goes to waste. In fact, studies conducted in the United Kingdom showed that industries like manufacturing will waste around 30% of all their purchased energy, which translates...

Introduction Imagine a facility manager starting their day at 6 AM, manually adjusting heating systems across 50 floors, checking hundreds of lighting circuits, and responding to countless maintenance alerts.  In a non-automated building, this professional must physically inspect each system, make individual adjustments, and rely on occupant complaints to identify issues. Time is consumed by routine tasks, leaving little room for strategic facility improvements or emergency responses.  Now, picture the same building equipped with an automated Building Management System (BMS).  The facility manager arrives to find the heating already optimized based on weather forecasts, lighting adjusted to occupancy patterns, and...

Introduction Let’s face it: managing hundreds - or even thousands - of assets across your business isn’t just about keeping things organized. It’s about minimizing downtime, avoiding unnecessary costs, and making sure that every piece of equipment works to its full potential.  We’ve seen businesses struggle to locate critical equipment during peak demand, overpay for replacements they didn’t need, or get hit with fines for failing inspections - all because their asset management processes weren’t up to par. But here’s the good news: with the right approach and tools, you can gain control, streamline operations, and even uncover cost-saving opportunities...

Introduction Managing heavy equipment and machinery requires the right strategy and continuous effort. This is especially true in the energy and oil and gas industry. Asset management is a strategy comprising multiple processes to ensure a company’s assets remain high-performing and reliable. This is no small feat, as it requires the right resources, internal processes, technology, expertise, and tools to succeed.  This article will introduce Asset Integrity Management (AIM), its implementation, its benefits, and how to measure it. It will also introduce LLumin’s Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS+) and explain why LLumin can help you implement and support your AIM...

Introduction You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Managing physical industrial facilities, however, usually has very little to do with eggs – unless you recognize that the same timeless warning applies to both henhouses and physical plants. Distributed Control Systems (DCS) were first introduced in the mid-1970s in response to the limitations and risks associated with centralized control systems. The design emerged from the vulnerabilities of control systems powered by a single digital computer. Control systems reliant on single computers managed numerous facility functions but posed significant risks of extensive damage and downtime in...

Introduction Service Level Agreements (SLAs) aren’t just contractual obligations; they build the foundation of trust between you and your customers.  Consistently meeting SLA commitments is key to retaining clients and acquiring more through word of mouth and referrals. But here’s the challenge: how do you ensure uptime, fast response times, and efficient service delivery while juggling operational issues? One crucial metric that makes or breaks SLA performance is the Mean Time to Acknowledge (MTTA). The faster you respond to an issue, the quicker you can resolve it, minimizing downtime and protecting your SLA commitments.  But hey! We’re giving you actionable...

Introduction Many organizations fall into a reactive maintenance trap, addressing issues only after they arise. These organizations need to change their approach, and quickly.  Zero-based maintenance (ZBM) is the perfect answer to all the issues and costs that come with reactive maintenance. It’s a transformative approach that resets the clock on your assets, restoring them to their original, like-new condition. But what exactly does ZBM mean, and how can it benefit your operations? We’ll teach you what ZBM is, explore its benefits, and provide actionable insights on implementing it effectively.  And these tips are applicable to every industry, including managing...

Introduction Preventative maintenance has a great reputation for improving equipment reliability and performance, reducing maintenance costs, and warding off unexpected equipment failures, among other important benefits. For many companies, it is a preferred approach. In fact, according to a maintenance study performed by Plant Engineering, a staggering 88% of manufacturing companies rely on preventative maintenance, 52% rely on a reactive (run-to-failure) approach, and 40% support preventative maintenance using analytics tools. However, as technology advances and the demand for more sustainable solutions increases, many companies are adopting predictive maintenance (PdM) as a more effective way to reduce waste and cost and...