Lubrication is critical for asset reliability and involves complex processes and complicated procedures. Lubrication management is often time-consuming, prone to errors, and challenging to implement. Modern tools like Redlist’s Lubrication Management Software allow organizations to leverage computing power and digitized data to achieve optimum lubrication benefits.
What is Lubrication Management Software?
Lubrication management software is a computer application or program that centralizes and automates all relevant lubrication processes and procedures.
Lubrication Management Software Features for Your Workflow
Software functionalities may differ depending on the developer, but a typical solution includes the following features:
Task Scheduling
The software lets users create and schedule lubrication tasks based on equipment specifications, usage patterns, and lubricant requirements. Some solutions have automated features where the program schedules tasks based on pre-set prompts or triggers.
Inventory Management
Lubrication management software tracks the levels of lubricant inventory in real-time, helping the maintenance department predict future needs and plan accordingly. Some software solutions also include automated purchase order (PO) generation where a PO can be instantly issued when an item reaches a specific threshold.
Equipment Integration
The software can integrate with lubrication monitoring equipment and systems, allowing for real-time access to lubrication data and performance. With this, lubrication tasks are scheduled with less redundancy or waste, thus achieving optimum results.
Condition Monitoring
Aside from integrating with equipment, lubrication management software can also incorporate condition monitoring tests such as oil analysis and vibration analysis. As a result, the detection of early signs of component wear or lubricant degradation is faster and more accurate.
Document Management
The software provides a centralized repository or database for all lubricant-related documents such as schedules, task histories, equipment manuals, and compliance records. Additionally, the software lets users organize, update, and disseminate these documents in real time.
Performance Analytics
Lubrication management software provides high-level analysis of lubrication data on-demand and with higher accuracy than manual spreadsheets. This analysis helps track and report key performance analytics that provide valuable insights into lubrication effectiveness, equipment reliability, and maintenance costs.
Mobile Access
The software allows users to access lubrication information, update the progress of lubrication tasks, and supply data from any location. Thus, even users in the field can input data or access updated information using their mobile devices.
Integrate with Management Systems
Lubrication management software can integrate seamlessly with other maintenance software such as Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems to coordinate lubrication tasks with other maintenance activities. Similarly, the software can also integrate with other management systems within the organization such as accounting, logistics, production, and many more.
Benefits of Lubrication Management Software
The above features can provide industrial and manufacturing organizations with the following benefits:
1. Optimum Efficiency
Using lubrication management software reduces the use of manual methods to complete or execute the lubrication activities, procedures, reports, and analysis. Thus, organizations can achieve effective lubrication with reduced expenses, less time, and minimal waste.
2. Reduced Downtime
With real-time data and condition monitoring provided by the software, proactive maintenance is more successful in preventing emergency breakdowns and unplanned downtime. The faster transfer and increased accessibility of information results in immediate and accurate decision-making to resolve breakdowns and resume operations.
3. Equipment Reliability and Lifespan
The bottom line of any lubrication and maintenance program is to achieve equipment reliability, or the ability of machines to perform their intended function without failure and to achieve their expected lifespan. Lubrication management software helps reach this bottom line by ensuring the proper implementation of lubrication maintenance programs.
4. Reduced Cost
By streamlining the lubrication program, the software can provide cost reduction in several ways, some direct and others indirect. The software can help reduce costs including:
Maintenance costs
Lubricant consumption
Expensive repairs or replacements
Decreased productivity due to downtime
5. Safety and Regulatory Compliance
By supporting equipment reliability, lubrication management software promotes the operational safety of machines and equipment. In addition, the software is beneficial in completing documentation and tracking compliance with safety standards in accordance with safety laws and regulations.
6. Data-Based Decision-Making
Effective decision-making relies on accurate data collection and analysis. The software allows organizations access to actual equipment data to make informed decisions, improve their strategies, and achieve the best results.
Who Uses Lubrication Management Software?
The following are the major users that can enjoy the benefits of using lubrication management software in their workflow:
Maintenance Technician
The technician is responsible for executing lubrication tasks on the ground and ensuring the smooth operation of machines and equipment. Lubrication management software provides technicians with easy access to critical information for the best lubrication results. In addition, the software also helps technicians in completing and tracking their tasks, ultimately improving their productivity and performance.
Maintenance Supervisor
The supervisor oversees the execution of lubrication activities and ensures that technicians follow the proper procedures. Maintenance supervisors can use lubrication management software to effectively plan, monitor, and optimize lubrication activities, ultimately achieving the maintenance bottom line.
Maintenance Planner
The planner is responsible for organizing lubrication activities to anticipate potential lubrication needs and allocate the available resources accordingly. Planners use the software to access lubrication data and create effective lubrication strategies with optimum results.
Maintenance Scheduler
The scheduler manages recurring lubrication tasks and activities. Schedulers rely on real-time, automatic, and high-visibility work scheduling provided by lubrication management software.
Reliability Engineer
The reliability engineer is tasked with managing the factors that affect equipment reliability. Reliability engineers use lubrication management software as a database of all the necessary lubrication details, asset information, condition monitoring results, and other resources they need to develop the best lubrication practices for the organization.
Manage your Lubrication Program with Redlist
With Redlist, successful greasing is possible in only a few clicks. We provide complete and focused support from the initial consultation to onsite facility charting and long after implementation.
Book your demo and experience Redlist’s lubrication management software and its valuable benefits today!