The FixAhead maintenance blog
Answers to the questions maintenance teams ask about their PMs, work orders, spare parts, and CMMS software.
- Free plan, no card.
Read the postHow to stop running out of spare parts: what to stock and how many
Weigh each part's cost against the downtime it prevents, set a minimum for each, and check the count against the shelves every month.
Read the postHow do you know preventive maintenance is really being done?
A checklist can be signed without the work being done, so look for specific tasks, proof on the steps that matter, and spot checks in person.
Read the postHow do I get the maintenance team to buy in and really use CMMS software?
Keep entry fast, put a QR code on each machine, give technicians something back, and make the CMMS the only route.
Read the postHow to write PM checklists for hundreds of machines with no manuals
Group the machines by category, write one short checklist for each, and refine it at every PM visit.
Read the postWho creates work orders when operators call maintenance for everything?
When operators call maintenance for everything, requests and work orders blur together. Here's how to separate them, decide who may submit, and triage before anyone is dispatched.
Read the postWork order management in the field: a complete guide
A field work order runs from assignment to completion on-site, on a phone.
Read the postHow to calculate MTBF and MTTR for your equipment
MTBF shows how long an asset runs between failures, and MTTR how long it takes to get it back in service.
Read the postThe cost of PMs vs unexpected failures
Reactive maintenance costs more per repair than preventive. Here's why, and how to make the switch without overwhelming your team.
Read the postWhat is CMMS? A complete guide for maintenance teams
A computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) helps you track assets, schedule preventive maintenance, and manage work orders, all in one place.