Computerized work management systems for utilities

With so much focus on the utility industries following last summer’s blackouts, advice on how to improve operations is coming from all corners. A new entry is a book examining computerized work management systems (CWMS), which claim to improve the work management process; reduce operating costs by improving asset availability, performance, and reliability; capture needed information in cost and work history; and enable employees to have direct access to information for better decision making.

By Control Engineering Staff December 11, 2003

With so much focus on the utility industries following last summer’s blackouts, advice on how to improve operations is coming from all corners. A new entry is a book examining computerized work management systems (CWMS), which claim to improve the work management process; reduce operating costs by improving asset availability, performance, and reliability; capture needed information in cost and work history; and enable employees to have direct access to information for better decision making.

The book, titled Computerized Work Management Systems for Utility and Plant Operations , offers the views of Roopchan Lutchman, an experienced operations and maintenance expert who is currently the leader of EMA ’s Management Practices Consulting group [EMA is a management and technology consulting firm, based in St. Paul, MN.] Lutchman provides a practical guide showing how to build a business case, select a CWMS, and successfully implement it.

The book explores all typical CWMS projects and Lutchman offers advice and guidance for organizations that have used a CWMS as well as those that have a CWMS and want to squeeze extra value out of it.

The book is designed to appeal to maintenance and operations management personnel as well as shop-floor personnel who play a key role in the success of any CWMS. This approach enables personnel to identify where they are in the CWMS process and use it as a reference regardless of their starting point. Through suggestions and directions, the author shows organizations how to review their operations and implement improved practices in the areas of program driven maintenance, predictive maintenance, asset management, and total productive operations.

For more information, contact EMA at 1-800-793-1797.

—David Greenfield, Editorial Director, Control Engineering, dgreenfield@reedbusiness.com