Preventive Maintenance (PM)
What preventive maintenance is, what triggers PM work, and how SimplyMobile automatically schedules inspections to reduce unplanned downtime.
What PM (Preventive Maintenance) is
PM is a CMMS module for planning periodic, repeatable work. You define the scope of work that should be repeated at set intervals or after certain parameters are exceeded. The goal is simple: reduce the number of failures and unplanned downtimes, most often linked to part wear.
What triggers PM work
- Time — every set period (day, week, month, year).
- Usage / wear — after a number of operating hours, kilometers, cycles, liters, etc.
- Condition-based — from IoT sensor readings (e.g. vibration, temperature).
For a single asset you usually define several PM plans with different intervals — not every task needs to be done as often.
Where PM plans come from
- Legal requirements (e.g. technical inspection authorities)
- OEM manuals and documentation
- Keeping the warranty valid
- Good practice and maintenance-team experience
What a good PM plan contains
- A task list — a checklist of actions to perform.
- Spare parts — what will be needed, linked to the store.
- Time and resources — effort plus the number and specialties of technicians.
Maintenance strategies
PM is one of three basic strategies. In practice they are combined depending on machine criticality and the cost of downtime:
| Strategy | When it works | Advantage | Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reactive (run-to-failure) | After a failure occurs | No planning cost | Unplanned downtime, higher repair costs |
| Preventive (PM) | On a schedule (time/usage) | Fewer failures, predictability | Risk of over-maintenance |
| Predictive (PdM) | By condition and sensor data | Repair exactly when needed | Requires sensors, data and analytics |
The predictive strategy (PdM) is data-driven — read more in the articles on IoT and Simply ML prediction.
PM in SimplyMobile CMMS
SimplyMobile automates prevention: PM plans generate work orders themselves at the right moment (by time or meter), with a ready task list, parts and resources. Technicians complete them from the mobile app at the machine, and the full history feeds KPIs (MTBF, costs) and helps tune intervals. Prevention is complemented by shift rounds and failure prediction, forming a coherent work plan for the maintenance team.
Frequently asked questions — Preventive Maintenance
- How does PM (prevention) differ from PdM (prediction)?
PM is scheduled work — by time or usage — regardless of the machine's current condition. PdM (predictive) relies on sensor data and models, performing the repair exactly when the asset's condition requires it. PM is simpler to implement; PdM reduces unnecessary maintenance.
- How do I set the right PM intervals?
Start from legal requirements, OEM documentation and warranty terms. Then fine-tune them based on failure history and KPIs (e.g. MTBF) in the CMMS — while sensor data and prediction help avoid both too-rare and excessive inspections.
- Does preventive maintenance pay off?
Usually yes — the cost of planned prevention is lower than the cost of unplanned downtime and an emergency repair. Chasing zero failures at any cost can be uneconomical, though; the goal is a sensible balance of prevention cost and failure risk, set by machine criticality.
- What is usage-based maintenance?
It is PM triggered by usage rather than the calendar — for example after a set number of operating hours, cycles or kilometers. SimplyMobile lets you schedule work both by time and by such meters.
See SimplyMobile in action
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