How to implement and operate an APM effectively

The implementation of an APM can be complex, but it is possible to prepare well for it, so that it goes as smoothly as possible. The following seven points should make this process easier for you.

Data at the center of the maintenance culture

The implementation of an APM allows for the management of data and its quality. For this to be effective, data is needed. While this may seem obvious, it is important to know that sometimes maintenance departments are more concerned with safety than with the well-being and regular upkeep of assets. Asset performance management must therefore go beyond the software aspect and be inherent to the maintenance culture, in order to have the full power and functionality of an APM solution.

The company’s objectives behind the APM strategies

In order to get the most out of the APM, it is essential to support the company’s objectives. Indeed, support from the top of the company will determine the resources needed to acquire and integrate an APM solution. It is therefore important to emphasize and demonstrate the coherence of an APM’s contributions in relation to these objectives.

If, for example, one of the company’s objectives is operational excellence, it would be wise to demonstrate that an APM is one of the essential elements to achieve it. Presenting the gains in maintenance time, the limitations in terms of risks, thanks to the different types of recognized analyses, or the monitoring of equipment thanks to a large amount of reliable and precise data, will support the arguments in favor of an APM solution in line with the company’s objectives.

A familiar technology

In order to use an APM solution effectively, it is important to become familiar with it. It is about knowing how to find your way around the interface and understanding how to use the different functions and the various results generated by them. Training can be time consuming as solutions become more comprehensive, but it is essential for consistent and competent use of the software.

The best approach, especially for a facility that is not yet monitoring its equipment, is a phased approach. By monitoring key equipment first and then expanding to an entire production line, teams will become familiar with APM-related technologies. Eventually, the entire installation will be monitored by a perfectly competent team, both in terms of the monitoring itself and the effective use of the software and all its capabilities.

Integrated and applied core competencies

As mentioned earlier, optimal use of an APM requires skill. In addition to the “usual” maintenance skills, diagnostic and technology skills will be required. Here are some of the main ones:

• Technology skills, an APM is a complex tool. In addition, a competent IT department will be needed for a good management of the network infrastructure;
• Analytical skills, in order to get the maximum of information from readings, measurement points, reports… ;
• Attention to detail and thoroughness;
• Problem Solving;
• Communication

Full connectivity between APM and other enterprise solutions

In the second point, it is mentioned to argue for the acquisition of an APM solution by aligning with the company’s objectives. In order to have a more global vision and impact, it is interesting to couple APM with other software. This allows to align with global objectives, via the functionalities present in CMMS, ERP, EAM… It also allows a centralization of information and a coherence between the different systems of the company.

In addition to the “objective” aspect, the capabilities of the APM will be multiplied and even more precise! In addition to the concepts of risk and maintenance, budgetary concepts such as finance, planning and inventory management can be added. Thus, the maintenance of equipment will be based on well-founded and precise decisions.

Key data points in focus

All the data collected are important, but some of them deserve to be particularly well monitored. The data in question correspond to the health indicators of the company’s equipment, namely:

• The temperature can, in case of excess, indicate the presence of a problem;
• The energy consumption of the equipment, as well as the state of the protections;
• The energy system, whose flow can be disrupted in the case of bottlenecks in particular;
• Vibration and noise to identify wear and tear.

Data collected and used

Having a large amount of quality data is a key point in managing equipment performance. However, alone, they do not express anything; they must be exploited to their full potential, in particular through an APM and its analysis and management tools.

According to the Harvard Business Review on Data Strategy, their study shows that on average, less than half of structured data is actually used in decision making. An equipment performance management solution enables optimal use and monitoring of data, thus avoiding waste.

Conclusion

An APM system is based on data collected during the activity of a company. This data is needed and processed by the software to draw conclusions and make decisions about the equipment. Through its functions and use of data, an APM will optimize maintenance and production, thus moving closer to goals such as operational excellence. The skills of the users, the connectivity of the solutions and the attention to the important elements result in a high-performance and communicative technology package. By properly cross-referencing and exploiting the data, the optimal mode of operation of an APM solution is achieved.