Best CMMS Software for Manufacturing Companies

Is SAP an ERP or CMMS?

SAP is primarily an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, not a CMMS. As an ERP, its main role is to manage and integrate core business operations such as finance, supply chain, human resources, procurement, and production planning. These enterprise-level functions give organizations a centralized platform to coordinate activities across departments and ensure that financial and operational data flow seamlessly throughout the company.

That said, SAP also provides maintenance-focused functionality through SAP Plant Maintenance (SAP PM). This module covers many areas that a CMMS typically manages, including preventive maintenance scheduling, work order management, asset tracking, and spare parts management. 

The advantage of SAP PM is that it integrates directly with other SAP modules like Materials Management (MM) and Production Planning (PP). This means that maintenance decisions are closely linked with inventory, procurement, and production activities—helping large enterprises maintain tighter control over costs and resources. However, the trade-off is complexity and cost: implementing and maintaining SAP PM generally requires significant investment in both software and specialized expertise.

For many organizations, especially in manufacturing and asset-intensive industries, ERP systems and CMMS platforms serve complementary roles. The ERP handles high-level planning, budgeting, and cross-departmental integration, while the CMMS is designed for the day-to-day realities of maintenance teams, tracking equipment downtime, logging technician activity, and monitoring asset performance. 

Smaller farms, plants, or businesses often find standalone CMMS solutions more practical and cost-effective, while large enterprises may prefer SAP PM or similar ERP-based modules to ensure tighter integration with their broader business systems.

Best CMMS Software for Manufacturing

1. eWorkOrders

eWorkOrders consistently ranks as the best CMMS for manufacturing because it’s purpose-built for reliability, scalability, and user adoption. Unlike overly complex enterprise systems, eWorkOrders combines strong preventive maintenance tools with a simple interface that works for both technicians and plant managers.

Key Features for Manufacturing Plants

• Preventive Maintenance: Time- and meter-based scheduling ensures equipment gets serviced before failures occur.
• Mobile-Friendly: Technicians can access work orders, update tasks, and attach photos directly from their phones.
• Inventory Management: Track spare parts, set reorder levels, and avoid costly stockouts.
• Work Order Tracking: Real-time updates, automated notifications, and complete asset histories.
• Dashboards and Analytics: MTBF, MTTR, downtime, cost reports, and PM compliance all available in easy-to-read dashboards.
• Integration Capabilities: Connects with ERP, IoT sensors, and production systems for a holistic view of plant operations.

Advantages for Manufacturers

Modern CMMS platforms offer clear advantages for manufacturers. Being cloud-based, they require minimal IT setup and allow quick deployment without heavy infrastructure. They’re flexible enough to support both small plants and large enterprise operations, scaling from basic maintenance tracking to advanced integrations. 

Strong customer support and onboarding resources help teams adopt the system smoothly, while tailored modules for regulated industries like food, pharma, and automotive make compliance easier through audit-ready reporting and traceability.

Stop wasting time with spreadsheets, paper logs, and costly downtime. Discover how eWorkOrders can transform your plant today! 

Best Fit

Manufacturers that want a CMMS that balances power, affordability, and ease-of-use. It’s particularly strong for plants moving from spreadsheets to digital maintenance systems, and for multi-site operations looking for standardized workflows.

2. Fiix by Rockwell Automation

Fiix is a modern, cloud-based CMMS that has gained attention for its clean user experience and AI-driven maintenance insights. As part of Rockwell Automation, it also has strong potential for integration with industrial systems, making it attractive for manufacturers investing in Industry 4.0 strategies.

Key Features 

• AI Recommendations: Uses historical data to suggest preventive and predictive maintenance improvements.
• Work Order Management: Drag-and-drop calendar scheduling for PM tasks and breakdowns.
• Integration Options: Connects with ERP, MES, IoT, and SCADA systems.
• Mobile Access: Intuitive app for technicians with barcode scanning.
• Analytics Dashboards: Tracks KPIs like asset downtime, work order completion, and cost trends.

Fiix is ideal for mid-sized to enterprise-level manufacturers that are looking to adopt AI-driven insights and have IT resources to leverage integrations.

3. MaintainX

MaintainX takes a slightly different approach by blending CMMS functions with real-time collaboration features. It’s not just about managing work orders, as it also helps teams communicate and resolve issues quickly on the plant floor.

Key Features 

• Work Orders: Easy creation and tracking of maintenance tasks.
• Collaboration Tools: In-app chat for technicians and supervisors to share updates, photos, and videos.
• Preventive Maintenance: Templates for setting up recurring PMs.
• Parts and Inventory: Track materials, though less advanced than some competitors.
• Mobile-First: Designed primarily for mobile users, making it highly accessible.

MaintainX is great for plants where collaboration and speed of communication are just as important as traditional maintenance tracking, such as job shops or plants with smaller maintenance teams.

4. Hippo CMMS

Hippo is designed for simplicity and ease of use, making it a popular choice for plants that don’t want overwhelming features but need reliable maintenance management. Its straightforward design helps teams transition smoothly from spreadsheets to digital maintenance tracking.

Key Features

• Drag-and-Drop Scheduling: Quick calendar-based planning.
• Vendor Management: Track contractors and supplier information.
• Asset Mapping: Visual maps for equipment locations.
• Work Order Management: Easy creation, tracking, and closure of tasks.

Great for small to mid-sized manufacturers looking for a straightforward CMMS without the learning curve of enterprise systems.

5. UpKeep

UpKeep is one of the most mobile-friendly CMMS platforms, built from the ground up for field technicians and fast work order management. Its intuitive app allows crews to capture issues, update tasks, and track assets directly from their smartphones.

Key Features

• Mobile App: Native app with offline capabilities.
• Barcode/QR Support: Scan equipment to pull up histories instantly.
• Preventive Maintenance: Automatic task creation and scheduling.
• Reporting Tools: Track downtime, response times, and parts usage.

This is best for plants with a mobile workforce that want quick adoption and real-time visibility into work order status.

6. Limble CMMS

Limble has earned a reputation for being one of the easiest CMMS platforms to implement while still offering strong customization. It balances simplicity with powerful tools.

Key Features

• Custom Workflows: Tailor preventive maintenance tasks to plant needs.
• Mobile Access: Offline capability and mobile-friendly design.
• KPI Tracking: MTBF, MTTR, PM compliance, and downtime.
• Work Order Automation: Triggered by meters or conditions.

This is more suitable for manufacturers looking for fast deployment and flexibility without sacrificing advanced functionality.

7. Infor EAM

Infor EAM is a robust, enterprise-level platform with advanced analytics and deep integration options. It’s designed for plants with high compliance or multi-site operations. The system supports predictive maintenance and industry-specific configurations, making it suitable for complex manufacturing environments.

Key Features

• Asset Lifecycle Management: From acquisition to retirement.
• IoT and AI: Condition-based monitoring and predictive maintenance.
• Compliance Tools: Detailed audit logs and safety tracking.
• Multi-Site Control: Centralized dashboards across facilities.

Large-scale, regulated manufacturers that need enterprise asset management beyond basic CMMS will find this CMMS option most useful.

Challenges in Manufacturing Maintenance Without CMMS

Manufacturing plants that operate without a CMMS usually rely on a mix of spreadsheets, whiteboards, paper logs, and informal communication. While these methods may have worked in the past, they often create inefficiencies and blind spots that lead to downtime, higher costs, and compliance risks. 

Below are some of the most common challenges manufacturers face when maintenance is managed manually or with outdated tools.

Reliance on Spreadsheets and Paper Records

Many plants still manage maintenance through Excel sheets, clipboards, and handwritten logs. The problem is that these records are often incomplete or forgotten altogether. Preventive maintenance schedules may be missed because no alerts are in place, and asset histories quickly become fragmented when technicians fail to record every repair. 

Over time, critical knowledge about machines ends up stored in people’s heads rather than in a reliable system. When staff members retire or leave, that information disappears, leaving the company exposed.

Slow Response to Breakdowns

When a machine fails, every minute counts. Without CMMS, maintenance requests may be communicated through phone calls, sticky notes, or emails, which creates delays. Supervisors often don’t have real-time visibility into pending work orders, and technicians arrive at the machine without proper instructions or access to past repair data. This leads to longer MTTR, increased downtime, and missed production targets.

Spare Parts Chaos

An organized parts inventory is critical for keeping machines running, but without a CMMS, spare parts management becomes guesswork. Plants often overstock inexpensive parts while running out of high-value critical spares. Manual counts are prone to error, and purchase orders are typically reactive rather than planned. This imbalance creates two costly outcomes: tied-up capital in unused stock and extended downtime when essential parts are unavailable.

Poor Data Visibility

In modern manufacturing, data drives decision-making—but without a CMMS, managers are operating blind. Paper logs and spreadsheets cannot provide real-time insights into key maintenance metrics such as MTBF, downtime trends, or preventive maintenance compliance. As a result, plant managers and operations directors are unable to connect maintenance performance to OEE. Decisions are reactive, based on guesswork rather than accurate analysis.

Compliance and Safety Risks

For regulated industries, the lack of CMMS can become a serious liability. Auditors expect clear records of inspections, maintenance histories, and safety checks. With paper-based systems, records are often incomplete, disorganized, or missing altogether. This increases the risk of fines, failed audits, or even production shutdowns. Beyond compliance, safety can also be compromised when technicians don’t have access to up-to-date procedures or when critical maintenance tasks are overlooked.

Conclusion

A well-implemented CMMS for manufacturing turns maintenance from a reactive burden into a strategic advantage. With the right system, plants can improve preventive maintenance compliance, reduce unplanned breakdowns, gain control of spare parts, and align maintenance directly with production goals.

While there are many platforms to choose from, eWorkOrders stands out as the best CMMS software for manufacturing. It combines powerful features with ease of use, giving maintenance teams the tools they need without overwhelming them with complexity.

Stop wasting time with spreadsheets, paper logs, and costly downtime. Discover how eWorkOrders can transform your plant today!