CMMSradio

In this podcast episode, John Sterling, a seasoned entrepreneur in the CMMS and technology industries, shares his entrepreneurial journey starting with his beginnings in small business as a high schooler, his early career in Silicon Valley, and his acquisition of DataStream, a small software company (that became a $100M company). He emphasizes the importance of gaining market entry, even at a low price, which helped him secure significant clients later. We explore the challenges of transitioning from small to large businesses, managing different budget sizes, and the complexity of scaling a company. Main Topics: Entrepreneurship Journey: From small businesses to large-scale companies. Strategic Pricing and Market Entry: Using low pricing to gain entry and attract large clients. Challenges in Scaling Businesses: Managing transitions from small to large companies. Bold Strategies for Success: Taking risks like pursuing IPOs and international acquisitions. Building and Managing Teams: Recruiting, nurturing sales talent, and maintaining company culture. Thank you, John, for joining #CMMSradio to talk all things CMMS and beyond!!

Streamline Asset Management User Conference 2025! It is all about community!! We're joined by George Williams of ReliabilityX and Alex Bolan of Digital Thinker to chop it up about the upcoming Streamline Asset Management User Conference happening February 24-27, 2025 in Greenville, SC. This year it is wide-open and features a full team of Hexagon support organizations that are not here to sell you but instead help you learn, grow, and improve how you are leveraging the platform! In fact, many of the strategies shared, on stage and throughout the event, apply to any asset and maintenance management environment. There's a lot on the journey story to how this AWESOME event came into existence!! Tune in and hear from two experts that are making a difference for the entire maintenance and reliability space!! Register here to attend the event: https://streamlineconference.com/2025 Thanks for supporting and following CMMSradio! ReliabilityX here: https://reliabilityx.com/ Digital Thinker here: https://digitalthinker.com/

Episode Summary: Colin Morris, Director of Solution Consulting at MaintainX, discusses his background in the CMMS industry, focusing on his journey from food manufacturing to his current role, sharing insights into the challenges and best practices for helping clients successfully adopt CMMS solutions, emphasizing the importance of ease of use, effective training, and overcoming resistance to change. His experience highlights the value of on-site visits, the growing battery technology market, and the crucial role of internal champions in facilitating smooth transitions. Main Questions/Topics: What were the key moments in Colin Morris’s journey into CMMS and solution consulting? How does MaintainX guide clients in selecting optimal CMMS solutions and best practices? What challenges do clients face in adopting CMMS, and how can they overcome them? How important is client training, and what methods are most effective for smooth adoption? What role do on-site visits and client documentation play in ensuring long-term success?

In this episode of CMMSradio, we welcome back Erik Hupje for an engaging conversation about maintenance management and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS). The discussion begins with shout-outs to Metallica, the All Within My Hands foundation, and Mike Franz. The hosts explore key topics related to maintenance, including the challenges of effective planning and scheduling, the importance of Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), and the integration of these practices with CMMS. Hupje stresses the significance of structured frameworks, coaching, and training to overcome barriers and improve long-term adoption. The episode provides valuable insights for anyone looking to optimize their maintenance operations. Key Questions and Topics: Why is planning and scheduling often neglected in maintenance management despite its importance? What are the main barriers to successful planning and scheduling in maintenance operations? How does the lack of formal training and the confusion between planning and scheduling impact efficiency? What is Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), and how does it help optimize preventive maintenance? How can CMMS help in the implementation and tracking of RCM and overall maintenance strategies? Connect with Reliability Academy here: https://reliabilityacademy.com/

We're joined by Adam Napolitano, an expert in industrial IoT and digital transformation, discussing the intersection of CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) and the challenges that arise when fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) impact decision-making in maintenance operations. It boils down to addressing real problems and building a robust ecosystem of solutions, rather than getting caught up in excessive hype surrounding digital transformation technologies. Thank you, Adam, for an awesome conversation!! Key Takeaways: Addressing Real Problems Over Hype - Stop getting caught up in buzzwords Understanding Customer Needs - Skip mimicking the successes of other brands Transitioning Maintenance Maturity - Misaligned sales approaches hinder progress Knowledge Transfer and Documentation - Crucial for training & maintaining a skilled workforce Fostering a Positive Work Culture - Essential to overcoming resistance to digital tools Chime in with a comment and re-share with your network. Thank you for following and supporting CMMSradio! Stay tuned for more episodes coming soon!

In this episode of the podcast, Greg Christensen introduces Derek Mains, a process improvement expert with over 20 years of experience. The conversation, sparked by a recommendation from mutual friend Rob Kowalrowski, explores Derek's journey from sustainability to applying his process optimization skills across various industries. Derek explains his approach to process improvement, focusing on mapping, measuring, managing, and mobilizing. Key topics include eliminating waste in maintenance, addressing deferred maintenance, and the importance of measuring ROI for maintenance investments. A case study is presented, illustrating how small process improvements can yield significant productivity gains. Key Questions and Topics: How does Derek Mains' process improvement approach (mapping, measuring, managing, and mobilizing) apply to maintenance management? What is the impact of deferred maintenance and short-term cost-cutting measures on operations? Why is measuring and calculating ROI for maintenance investments crucial? How can small process improvements, like upgrading tools, lead to large productivity gains? What role does process improvement play in reducing injuries and employee turnover in maintenance environments?

In this episode, Alex Bolan of Digital Thinker shares insights into his company's work with Hexagon EAM solutions and his personal journey within the business. Digital Thinker was founded in 2003 by Alex’s father, a former maintenance manager who later transitioned to consulting and became a significant figure in Hexagon EAM. Alex's career path includes diverse roles in EMS, the Army Reserves, and corporate recruiting, which led him to join Digital Thinker a year ago to further the company’s legacy. Key topics discussed include: Critical Questions for CMMS Vendors Support, Training, and Client Care Periodic Reviews and Organizational Changes Effective Communication for Successful CMMS Implementation CMMS vs. EAM Philosophy on work-life balance. Streamline Conference 2025: https://streamlineconference.com/2025 DigitalThinker: https://digitalthinker.com/

He's back on CMMSradio!! Unlocking RCA, User-Friendly CMMS, and Leadership in Maintenance with Bob Latino In this episode of CMMSradio, Bob Latino from Prelical Solutions joins Greg Christensen to discuss his role as an upkeep ambassador, where he works to bridge the gap between industry practices and digital solutions. Bob emphasizes the importance of user-friendly CMMS products and highlights the need for integrating real-world insights into systems to improve efficiency. He also touches on the value of root cause analysis (RCA) to identify discrepancies between procedures and actual practice, stressing the importance of understanding human decision-making in the context of failures. The conversation underscores the need for leadership accountability and a shift away from blame culture to foster continuous improvement. Takeaways: The difference between "work is imagined" (procedures) and "work is done" (actual practice) is key to identifying inefficiencies. User-friendly CMMS interfaces, like Ryan's UI, enhance practical use and improve operational efficiency. Root cause analysis (RCA) should be integrated into CMMS to identify gaps in procedures and training rather than just analyzing failures. Leadership accountability in acknowledging failures is crucial for fostering a culture of improvement. Moving away from a blame culture and understanding human decision-making helps prevent catastrophic outcomes, like the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Let us know your thoughts with comments and re-shares! Thank you, Bob, for another insightful conversation to help the entire maintenance community! Thank you to our followers for supporting @CMMSradio Connect with Robert "Bib" Latino on LinkedIn Find Prelical Solutions here: https://prelical.com/

Summary: In this episode of CMMSradio, Jennifer Dodd Fuller, Senior Manager of Industrial Energy Solutions at Ndustrial, shares insights into her career journey and experiences in industrial maintenance and reliability engineering. Starting with a background in HVAC, Jennifer transitioned into reliability engineering at Owens Corning, where she learned the value of collaboration, process improvement, and proactive maintenance. She discusses the role of CMMS in improving maintenance practices, advocating for intuitive systems that are user-friendly for technicians and highlighting the importance of data-driven strategies to demonstrate success. Jennifer also addresses the challenges of balancing reactive and proactive maintenance and the need for leadership support in using CMMS data to enhance team performance. Takeaways: Collaboration and process improvement are key to successful reliability engineering. CMMS should be intuitive and practical for technicians to maximize its effectiveness. Data from CMMS, such as MTBF and MTTR, can help demonstrate the impact of maintenance strategies. Balancing proactive and reactive maintenance requires careful prioritization and leadership support.

A CMMS Journey and Chris Hutson's Vision for Modernizing Maintenance Management with MaintainX Chris Hutson, Director of Lifecycle and Manufacturing Solutions at MaintainX, joins CMMSradio sharing his journey into the CMMS industry. Initially seeking a cloud-based solution for manufacturing, he joined MaintainX in 2018 after meeting the founders. With a background in manufacturing, Hutson stresses the shift of maintenance from a reactive cost center to a proactive, value-adding function. He advocates for aligning maintenance KPIs with business goals, using cloud-based systems to improve productivity and reduce costs. We get a view into the challenges of changing maintenance perceptions, the role of lean principles, IIoT adoption, AI, and effective CMMS deployment strategies Chris sees. He also highlights the importance of work-life balance, how corporate leadership plays a role, and future developments at MaintainX. Tune in and let us know your thoughts or favorite moments from this episode! Share it with your network and let us know if you need help with your CMMS project. Reach out to MaintainX https://www.getmaintainx.com/ or contact CMMSradio and we'll help you!