Page 32 - Machinery Component Maintenance

Maintenance Organization and Control for Multi-Plant Corporations 17

Princlpal Applications Areas for the Maintenance Computer

Conceptual discussions of the past and more recent systems develop-
ment work have concentrated on six general areas of maintenance sup-
port. Systems are, of course, called by different names, according to the
company which is developing and implementing them. Systems of any
one type may also have differing emphasis, according to the specific
company’s requirements for maintenance support. The general applica-
tions areas are:

I . Materials inventory/stock cataloging
2. Preventive maintenance/equipment records
3. Work order costing
4. Fixed equipment inspection
5. Planning/scheduling of major maintenance projects
6. Work order planning and scheduling

The various computer systems have been developed both separately
and as integrated groups through exchange of data between systems.
Moreover, maintenance systems generally are designed for data ex-
change with a conventional accounting system.
Materials inventory/stock catalog systems are designed to support
maintenance by making certain that required materials and spare parts
are available at the right time, at the right place, and at minimum cost.
Well-designed systems in this category provide better availability of parts
and materials by supplying up-to-date catalogs, generated in multiple
sorts.
Some systems allow stock items to be reserved for future usage in ma-
jor construction projects or for scheduled plant or unit turnaround proj-
ects. A welldesigned inventory/stock catalog system also may maintain
a history of materials and parts usage. This enables maintenance to eval-
uate service demand patterns or vendor performance and to adjust inven-
tory levels according to materials/parts usage. Some companies place
emphasis on the purchasing function in design of inventory systems.
Such systems automatically signal the need for materials or parts reor-
ders on whatever basis the purchasing department wishes to establish
(such as order point/order quantity or minimum/maximum quantities).
The system may also be designed for automatic purchase order genera-
tion and to maintain a file of open purchase orders. It also can report
unusual situations such as changes in a manufacturer’s parts number,