Many little things add up to a big thing.

We at MEX are having an interesting year in making changes in MEX and FleetMEX, making it better for all our users.

None of these things are enormous.  They are little things that our users want changed or made better.  And we have been slowly implementing them to make our products do what customers want MEX to do.   And we are starting to notice that all of these little things make up a bigger thing that can work so much better.

Some of the changes, with some having already been done and released, include:

·         Quick edit.  This allows for the fast editing of work orders if there are a lot.  This has already been added and is available in 14.0.3.0.

·         Fast print.   Where a very fast method of printing a work order, purchase order or invoice can occur.

·         Test and tag.  At the user conference this year we discussed and even designed something around this and hope to have it in MEX.

·         On line ticketing.  A ticketing system for all customers to track there bugs, issues and requests.   Again, partially designed at the user conference.

·         New reports.  Have added a few in this year already but have more coming.

·         Photos and videos.  Greater use in the requesting and work orders.

·         On line catalogues.  Creating a way for any user to link on line catalogues into the MEX catalogue.

·         Security.  A new lot of standardised security groups.  In process now and should be released soon.

All of these little things add up to simplicity and efficiency in using our products.

And if you have any ideas on further things to do, then contact me and lets discuss little things that add up to big things.

Steve's Serious Maintenance Tips for 2012

According to the Mayan calendar, the 21^st of December 2012 is the date it all comes to an end.  So before our world crumbles, I feel that it’s a good time to think about what myself, and other maintenance professionals should be doing in their last year on Earth.

First up, I wouldn’t prepare any notes about my equipment, explaining what they actually do, where they are, and how much has been spent on them.  I definitely wouldn’t keep track of breakdowns, issues, maintenance, wear, or even tear!

As far as shutdown planning goes, I wouldn’t organise parts, labour or time estimates, especially around tax time.  All I would do, is find a nice comfy couch where I can put my feet up.

If someone asks me to do something this year, I’ll smile and nod (to keep them happy).  But obviously I’ll have no intention of completing their request.  I just want to keep up appearances until December.  Surely there couldn’t be any harm in that?

I think I’ll also start promising my staff great pay rises for 2013, along with a handsome Christmas bonus!  Of course I’ll still need them to work hard throughout the year, and if they do I will guarantee great wealth and prosperity in 2013!  The best part is… there probably won’t be any repercussions for me!

However, there is one caution I must provide you with if you do follow my maintenance tips for 2012.  If those Mayans are wrong, and this whole end of world thing turns out to be a big lie, then you better have a damn good resignation letter ready for December 22^nd.  

What is Preventative Maintenance?

Last week I was at a client’s worksite, speaking with the foreman about what we considered to be good Preventative Maintenance.  We went back and forth, differing on some details, however we both agreed it is an issue of great importance for the longevity and management of company assets.   

Most companies practise some sort of preventative maintenance – or, at least, try to – however, this is usually limited by distractions in the workplace.  Servicing, routine change outs, manufacturer specifications and shut downs at Christmas affect the regularity maintenance can be carried out.

To combat this I’ve come up with a small, easy to remember piece of advice.

“If something has a repetitive cycle of failure, use preventative maintenance.”  It’s that simple.

Here’s a quick’n’easy example.  A pin on an actuator arm falls off every week or so, which requires the mechanic to be called to repair.  Thus, the preventative maintenance solution is to replace the pin weekly.  

Here is another example.  If a motor overheats every three months due to rubbish build-up, then, every month the engine must be cleaned down.  

Preventative maintenance is looking at what causes failures and applying the remedy proactively.  It is about minimising loss.  These losses can occur through; downtime, double handling, decreased customer satisfaction, operational health and safety and asset damages.

Your program should be revisited constantly to assess what is working and what is not.  This becomes a balancing act of maintenance versus cost.  Which, in time, can be perfected through experience, testing and automated services.