Focus on: CMMS Maintenance Matters August/September 2025 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 13 Building integration for value Organisations that succeed with integration approach it as a process of coordination rather than simply connecting one system to another. They work to ensure that data is structured consistently, accessible across the business and relevant to operational decision-making. This might involve harmonising asset hierarchies across all systems before integration begins, agreeing common definitions for fault codes, or mapping sensor data directly to maintenance triggers. The use of recognised data standards, such as ISO 14224 for equipment reliability or IEC 81346 for structuring principles, can make integration simpler and more sustainable. Some companies opt for CMMS platforms with open APIs, allowing secure, flexible data exchange without relying on proprietary vendor connectors - a practical advantage for engineering operations with diverse assets and a mix of old and new systems. Attempting to integrate every connected system at once can be risky and disruptive. Many organisations have found that beginning with a few high-impact links delivers better results. For example, integrating the CMMS with inventory management can improve spare parts availability and reduce downtime almost immediately. Once that connection is stable, further integrations with IoT sensors, condition monitoring platforms or building management systems can be layered on. This incremental approach reduces operational risk, spreads investment over time and ensures that early lessons feed into later phases. Technology alone does not guarantee success. Engineers and planners must understand how integrated data will improve their work or they may continue to rely on spreadsheets and informal reporting. Training, clear communication and governance structures that bring together IT specialists, maintenance teams and operational managers can build the shared understanding needed for adoption. Decisions informed by both technical expertise and day-to-day operational realities tend to produce systems that are both functional and useful. Integration also increases the surface area for cyber threats, particularly in sectors linked to critical infrastructure. Each new connection must be designed with security in mind, using measures such as network segmentation, multifactor authentication and encrypted data transfers. Compliance requirements, from GDPR to sector-specific regulations, should be addressed early in the process. Maintenance logs containing personal data, for instance, may require specific handling when shared between systems. Finally, measuring the outcomes of integration in operational terms helps secure long-term support. Improvements in mean time to repair, firsttime fix rates, stock availability and maintenance cost per unit of output are indicators that integration is delivering value. By focusing on these results rather than technical milestones alone, organisations can demonstrate return on investment and build the case for further work. Ultimately, the integration of CMMS into the wider digital environment is no longer an optional enhancement for UK engineering firms; it is a core capability. Achieving it demands more than technical compatibility: it requires coordinated planning, adherence to data standards, phased delivery and close collaboration between departments. When done well, integration transforms the CMMS from a passive record-keeping tool into a central driver of efficiency, reliability and strategic insight - a shift that can define the competitive edge in an increasingly connected industrial landscape. Name: Company Name: Address: Post Code: Tel: Total Number of Copies @ £ p+p Total £ Drives S & S Hyd H/B Pne H/B Ind Mot Comp H/B H/B Air QUANTITY QUANTITY Hydraulics & Pneumatics There are now 6 of these handy reference books from the publishers of the Drives & Controls and Hydraulics & Pneumatics magazines. Published in an easily readable style and designed to help answer basic questions and everyday problems without the need to refer to weighty textbooks. We believe you’ll find them invaluable items to have within arms reach. From the publishers of QUANTITY QUANTITY QUANTITY 2-5 copies £4.30, 6-20 copies £4.10, 20+ copies £3.75. 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