Maintenance Management Software

By Dylan Mazeika

Running a business involves quite a bit of coordination, paperwork, and human resources effort. Using facility management software can streamline your operations and keep better control over expenses.

Facility management software features

Not all software packages work exactly the same way. Some of the more commonly used management features include:

• Inventory control: Facility management software lets you keep track of existing inventory, offering basic information like notifying you when you need to restock certain items. However, some more detailed information is available if you're a manufacturer. The software lets you know if you have enough of an item on hand to meet projected customer demand and enough raw materials to keep production running smoothly.

  You'll also be able to track the cost of parts issued and returned against work orders, as well as auto issue parts when a work order is already closed. Do you have multiple warehouses? Management software can now track inventory against multiple locations, and if you need to check these locations on the go ask your supplier about wireless inventory features where you can check your inventory on your smartphone or tablet.

  At the end of the day your numbers have to balance. So be sure your software can handle FIFO and LIFO inventory accounting methods.

• Employee attendance: Some programs allow your supervisors to keep track of when employees are on or off the job. If your company uses an ID scanner at the entrances, or your employees electronically punch into work, then this can be tied into the management software as well. This allows for more accurate time sheets, saving employers time and money at the end of the week.
• Government compliance: Each industry must follow different rules and government regulations. This software keeps track of any changes to the law so you can be sure that your company remains compliant. It provides updates for any changes in safety, warehouse upkeep, or employee regulations that will protect your business.
• Asset management: A comprehensive software package can help you keep tabs on equipment, office furniture and other tangible company assets. This will help ensure that all of your equipment is up to date and properly maintained, providing a safe work environment and saving money in maintenance fees.
• Budgeting: Expenses sometimes are hard to keep under control. Facility management software can assist you by creating budgets for departments, projects, and other initiatives. Your expenses will be kept in line with project costs so that you can manage your inventory, and the cost involved in maintaining that inventory
• Event management: The software helps with scheduling meetings, parties and other special events. It also can make sure that a conference area is not double-booked at any one time.
• Human resources: Managing employees can become the most challenging part of running a company. A good program will track new hires, benefits and terminations. It also takes into account changes to existing employment and labor laws.
• Invoicing/billing: Selecting a software package with invoicing and billing will streamline this aspect of your business. You'll be able to invoice clients, maintain records of bills, and get paid faster - allowing you to focus on other aspects of the business.

Suitable for almost any industry

Besides large manufacturing concerns, facility management software is useful in other organizations as well:

• Churches, schools, and universities
• Food service
• Property management
• Retail stores
• Sports management
• Clubs and bars

Estimated costs

Prices vary, and often quite extensively depending on the features included and overall functionality of the system. On the whole, property management software is broken into a number of different types, each geared to a specific primary feature. For the following, you can expect to pay:

• Standard platforms: $100 to $4,500 per user
• Midrange business solutions (managing less than 500,000 square feet): $500 to $3,000 per user

• Small business solutions (managing less than 250,000 square feet): Around $1,000 per user
• Mobile framework / web-based programs: $100 to $8,000 per user

Working with experienced facilities software dealers is the best way to get the right package for your exact business: they'll be able to help customize the application to your needs. To get connected to multiple facility management software dealers who can meet your requirements click the button below. You'll be connected to software providers in your area and will be able to compare quotes and get the best price for your business.