Choosing a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) can feel overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be. At this year’s Reliable Plant Conference, Limble’s VP of Customer Success, Kristin Drake, and former Maintenance Director at Preferred Popcorn, Matt Burtz, led a practical and engaging session to help maintenance professionals make confident CMMS purchasing decisions.
Here’s a recap of the key takeaways from the session, including real-world insights, a proven decision-making framework, and a mobile-first success story you won’t want to miss.
Why a CMMS matters more than ever
Maintenance operations face a complex mix of challenges in a quickly evolving landscape – unplanned downtime, inventory headaches, communication gaps, growing compliance pressures, and more. Top-performing teams are turning to CMMS platforms to streamline their processes and gain visibility into asset health, technician productivity, and overall performance.
Choosing the right CMMS can also dramatically cut costs: Limble customers have saved over $1B in maintenance costs by transforming their maintenance operations.
A framework for selecting the right CMMS
Kristin and Matt shared a four-step framework for teams evaluating maintenance software—perfect for organizations ready to move beyond paper, spreadsheets, or outdated systems:
- Form a task force: Start with a cross-functional team to lead your search and define shared goals.
- Assess your needs: Identify must-haves, nice-to-haves, and budget parameters early on.
- Do your research: Compare vendors using customer reviews, feature lists, and expert resources like G2.
- Test top vendors: Request demos and trials to see how solutions fit your actual workflows.
This structured approach helps maintenance leaders cut through marketing noise and focus on what really matters.
What to look for in a CMMS
The session broke down the most critical features and considerations when evaluating vendors:
- Ease of use: Adoption hinges on intuitive design, minimal clicks, and smooth onboarding.
- Support: Look for U.S.-based customer success reps, live chat, and flexible training options.
- Data & reporting: Real-time dashboards, pre-built KPIs, and configurable reports make insights accessible.
- Scalability: Mobile access, cross-platform compatibility, and robust integrations ensure the system grows with your team.
Preferred Popcorn’s CMMS success story
Matt Burtz offered a real-world look at what happens when a maintenance team finds the right CMMS. Based in Nebraska, Preferred Popcorn distributes globally and runs operations across seven U.S. states. Their maintenance team needed a platform that was:
- Mobile-first
- Easy to learn
- Capable of full job execution in the field
With Limble, they achieved:
- 95% of maintenance completed via mobile
- Dramatically reduced errors
- Faster response times
- Simplified compliance with embedded protocols
As Matt put it:
“I don’t have to run around to track everything down. As long as I have my phone on me and can open Limble, it’s going to be right there.”
Final thoughts
Whether you’re managing a global operation or a small facility, the right CMMS should make your team’s job easier, not harder. Start by identifying your needs, involve key stakeholders, and don’t settle until you find a solution that fits like a glove.
Need help finding the right CMMS for your team? Schedule a demo with Limble and see why over 50,000 maintenance professionals rank us #1.