What is CMMS?
A CMMS, or Computerized Maintenance Management System, is software designed to help organizations streamline maintenance operations.

It tracks assets, schedules work orders, and manages inventory, making it easier to maintain equipment and facilities efficiently.

How is a CMMS different from CaFM and EAM?
Although sometimes used interchangeably, CMMS, CaFM, and EAM have differences in their focus, scope, and functionalities.

CMMS | CaFM | EAM | |
---|---|---|---|
What is it? | For instance, a CMMS focuses primarily on managing maintenance tasks, such as work orders, preventive maintenance, and asset tracking. It is ideal for facility maintenance. | Whereas a CaFM (Computer-aided Facility Management) is broader terminology. It included not only maintenance but also space management, energy monitoring, and facilities planning. | An EAM Enterprise Asset Management software) goes beyond maintenance and facilities management. EAM is different from CMMS as its focus lies on the entire lifecycle of assets, from procurement to disposal, optimizing asset performance, and improving ROI at an enterprise level. |
Primary focus | Mostly maintenance management and asset tracking | Maintenance, space management, and energy monitoring | Comprehensive asset lifecycle management |
Scope | Primarily maintenance and repair operations | Facilities management, including planning and energy use | End-to-end asset management from procurement to disposal |
Functionality | Mostly maintenance management and asset tracking | Maintenance, space management, and energy monitoring | Comprehensive asset lifecycle management |
Integration | Mostly maintenance management and asset tracking | Maintenance, space management, and energy monitoring | Comprehensive asset lifecycle management |
Target users | Mostly maintenance management and asset tracking | Maintenance, space management, and energy monitoring | Comprehensive asset lifecycle management |
Types of CMMS software – On-premise vs Cloud-based CMMS
CMMS software can be classified into two types based on where they are installed and operated.

This section explores the two primary types—on-premise and cloud-based CMMS—highlighting their differences, benefits, and suitability for modern facility management needs.

Feature | On-Premise CMMS | Cloud-Based CMMS |
---|---|---|
Data Control | Data is stored locally; it offers higher control and customization over data storage and security | Data is hosted on remote servers; secure, but controlled by the provider |
Accessibility | Limited to specific locations, lacks flexibility for remote or mobile access | Accessible anytime, anywhere with internet access, supporting remote and mobile access (even offline access) |
Upfront Costs | High initial costs for setup, licensing, and hardware; ongoing costs for maintenance | Lower initial costs; often subscription-based with minimal hardware requirements |
Real-Time Data Integration | Generally limited, with slower updates and integration challenges | Supports real-time data integration, ideal for connected and flexible maintenance operations |
Scalability and Updates | Requires manual updates and is less scalable; scaling can be costly and time-consuming. | Automatic updates with flexible scalability, aligning well with evolving O&M and IoT integration needs |
What are the key functionalities of a CMMS software?
A CMMS is more than just a maintenance tool—it's a comprehensive platform designed to optimize operations.

Let’s delve into the core functionalities that make a CMMS indispensable.
1. Asset management
Legacy CMMS provides basic asset tracking (model numbers, serials, purchase dates) but lacks real-time performance insights. This limits data-driven asset lifecycle decisions, leaving asset teams with only static information for planning.
2. Maintenance management
Conventional CMMS platforms support preventive maintenance scheduling, reducing breakdowns. However, they lack predictive capabilities and cross-departmental integration, often isolating maintenance teams and limiting unified workflow coordination.
3. Work order management
Legacy systems allow for basic work order creation and tracking. But they typically lack collaborative tools. So the work orders can be painfully slow to process, with limited visibility across teams. As a result, both technicians and facility managers are disconnected from the larger maintenance picture, leading to slower response times and operational inefficiencies.
4. Inventory management
Legacy CMMS handles basic inventory tracking, helping teams prevent stockouts and maintain parts availability. However, without integration with work orders, teams may overstock unnecessary items or miss critical parts. This lack of alignment with actual maintenance needs keeps inventory management reactive and limits the system’s ability to optimize resources efficiently.
5. Reporting and documentation
Reporting in legacy CMMS offers only basic, static reports on maintenance and asset history, with limited customization. These reports don’t support dynamic data-sharing across departments or systems, leaving leaders with isolated insights that fail to support strategic, coordinated planning.
Limitations of the legacy CMMS
Legacy CMMS often feel like puzzles that never quite fit together.

Technicians jump between five different apps just to complete one task.
Managing a single facility with 20 different disconnected software tools adds to the complexity, making operations inefficient and frustrating.

And after all that hassle?
You’re left with scattered vendors, outdated asset records, unreliable data, and costs that keep popping up out of nowhere.
Worse yet, it throws your long-term plans off track, making it impossible to see the bigger picture for growth. You’re running in circles—and still ending up further from your goals.
The truth is that without a unified view and seamless collaboration, operations are bound to suffer.
So, the era of legacy CMMS has clearly become a thing of the past.
All this legacy CMMS hassle isn’t just a time drain—it’s hurting critical metrics like response times, asset uptime, and tenant satisfaction. Constant system-switching slows down workflows and drives up costs, while data gaps lead to unexpected breakdowns.

– Rajvel, CPO and Co-Founder of Facilio
Case in point: Investa’s tech shift for operational sanity
Rajavel shares the example of Investa one of Australia’s top commercial real estate firms, which struggled significantly with multiple disconnected solutions.

Investa’s problems with legacy CMMS
Investa faced a core challenge with its CMMS contracts: they were rigid, locking in a fixed number of buildings for a set number of years. This lack of flexibility made it hard to add or remove properties as needed.
On top of that, their legacy software didn’t support APIs, making integration with other systems a major hurdle.

Investa’s goals
- Streamline operations and eliminate manual tasks.
- Achieve portfolio-wide visibility.
- Enhance contractor engagement and vendor compliance.
To tackle these challenges and accelerate their path to success, Investa needed a unified CMMS software capable of breaking down the silos created by over a decade of fragmented systems.
“Our buildings are designed for the way people work today - and the way we want to work in the future. We think of our office buildings as communities as well as assets. Yet, our property operations were siloed and hindered the stellar customer experience we want to offer.”– General Manager of Facilities Services of Investa
Our solution
Facilio’s Connected CMMS delivered a unified, scalable solution within 5 months. Key transformations- Centralized asset data and maintenance history.
- Seamless management of routines, tenant requests, and work orders.
- Integrated KPIs, SLAs, compliance, and financial management.
- Easy-to-use apps for tenants and technicians.
The result
Investa gained the flexibility and integration capabilities their legacy CMMS lacked, paving the way for seamless, portfolio-wide operations.

Functionalities | Investa before Facilio | Investa after Facilio |
---|---|---|
CMMS Contracts | Rigid contracts that couldn’t adapt to changes in the portfolio. | Scalable and flexible Connected CMMS accommodating portfolio dynamics. |
System Integrations | Disconnected systems without API support, making integration difficult. | Seamless integration through an API-first design, unifying all systems. |
Workflow Management | Fragmented workflows for asset management, maintenance, and compliance tracking. | Streamlined workflows covering maintenance, tenant requests, and incident management. |
Visibility and Coordination | Limited visibility and lack of coordination across properties. | Unified asset repository and real-time collaboration across teams and properties. |
Invoice Requests | Manual invoice requests causing delays and inefficiencies. | Automated invoice processing speeds up workflows and reduces manual effort. |
Invoice Requests | Manual approach to vendor selection, often inconsistent and time-consuming. | Automated vendor selection ensures compliance and streamlines contractor management. |
Your CMMS is outdated—it's time for an upgrade.
Sticking with an outdated CMMS can hold your operations back, leading to inefficiencies, higher costs, and missed opportunities for growth.

Modern challenges demand modern solutions—this is where a connected CMMS steps in to redefine operational excellence.
The results from our recent poll speak volumes:

O&M teams are struggling with a fragmented tech landscape. Key challenges include:
- Work Outside Systems: 62% of work happens outside CMMS/CaFM
- Interoperability Issues : 74% face integration problems with energy management solutions.
- Lack of Visibility: 83% struggle with operational visibility due to disparate automation and software.
This disjointed approach hinders efficiency and increases costs.
Certainly, it's time for something better.
Successful property operations hinge on a robust technological foundation—an advanced CMMS built to drive business success.
What is a Connected CMMS?
Managing facilities today requires more than just basic tools—it demands seamless collaboration, real-time insights, and scalable solutions. Traditional systems struggle to keep pace.

Traditional systems struggle to keep pace. And it becomes essential to rethink how we approach facility operations.
Connected CMMS changes the game by bringing everything — connecting people, processes, and systems—into one seamless platform, finally overcoming the silos of traditional CMMS.
Managing portfolio operations becomes smarter, simpler, and more collaborative with a connected CMMS.

Check out Rajavel’s article on why we led the charge to build the first Connected CMMS , designed to meet today’s evolving needs in property operations.
What does a connected CMMS do better than a regular CMMS?
By now, it’s clear that connected CMMS moves beyond the limits of legacy systems by centralizing operations and improving collaboration across teams.

Functionalities | Legacy CMMS Limitation | Connected CMMS Benefits |
---|---|---|
Work Order Management & Scheduling | Manual tracking, limited visibility, and delayed task assignments. | Drag-and-drop scheduling, automated workflows, and real-time visibility for tasks. Learn more |
Parts Inventory Management | Manual stock management and disconnected processes. | Parts Inventory Management Learn more |
Asset Management | No predictive analysis, limited real-time data, and reactive maintenance. | Real-time asset tracking, predictive insights, and lifecycle management automation. Learn more |
Maintenance Management | Lack of automation and visibility, leading to unplanned downtime. | Automated work orders, customizable workflows, and proactive maintenance management. Learn more |
Inspection & Audit Readiness | Paper-based checklists, manual tracking, and risk of missing audits. | Digital checklists, automated scheduling, and real-time compliance reporting. Learn more |
Compliance & Reporting | Limited visibility, delayed reporting, and potential compliance gaps. | Real-time BI dashboards, clear incident reporting, and expenditure tracking tools. Learn more |
Vendor Management | Manual vendor management and lack of real-time insights. | Automated vendor onboarding, compliance tracking, and centralized communication. Learn more |
Service Request Management | Slow request processing and lack of streamlined communication. | Quick digital submission, custom work orders, and mobile-friendly support. Learn more |
Field Service Management | Disconnected workflows and delayed responses due to lack of coordination. | Automated workflows, real-time data, and seamless contractor/client coordination. Learn more |
What connected CMMS does that legacy CMMS can’t?
A connected CMMS isn’t just an improvement over legacy systems; it represents a significant leap forward.

1. Easy integration with your existing systems
A connected CMMS can integrate with your ERP, HR, and financial systems . This means all your data flows seamlessly between departments without any extra work.

2. Access anywhere with mobile and web support
With a connected CMMS, you can manage work orders, assets, and inventory from your phone or computer, wherever you are. You get instant updates and can respond in real time. Legacy CMMS, on the other hand, is usually stuck on desktops, making it harder for teams on the go to stay in the loop.
3. Smart user management for more control
A connected CMMS offers Single Sign-On (SSO) and can handle unlimited users at the same time. You can track performance and make adjustments easily. Whereas legacy systems often have limits on how many users can be active, making it tough to scale and manage.
4. Automate tasks and get proactive insights
A connected CMMS automatically routes work orders and gives you recommendations based on trends. It helps you stay ahead of issues and cut down on downtime. Legacy systems rely on manual work and lack smart automation, which leads to slower responses and more mistakes.
Benefits of connected CMMS
The advantages of a connected CMMS far surpass anything a legacy system can offer.

We have identified some of the top benefits that a connected CMMS has to offer. We carefully categorized them by factors like operational efficiency, management, stakeholder collaboration, etc. Some of the key benefits of a connected CMMS are listed here.
Pillar | Benefits |
---|---|
Operational efficiency and maintenance optimization |
|
Centralized management and collaboration |
|
Cost reduction and savings |
|
Compliance and safety |
|
Future-proofing and adaptability |
|
How to choose the best CMMS software (CMMS evaluation guide)
When evaluating a CMMS solution, it’s important to consider various factors that are unique to your organization, stakeholders, industry, and long-term goals.

Here’s a checklist to help you compare and evaluate various CMMS software options. Let’s break it down into six key steps that will guide your decision-making process.
In addition, you can also download a printable version of our CMMS evaluation guide . This will help you to easily identify and select the best CMMS software for your requirements.
Industry-Level Considerations
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Assess the industry-specific needs your CMMS must address. Different industries have different challenges and requirements (e.g., retail vs healthcare).QUESTIONS TO ASK
- 1. What is the industry you work in (Retail, Healthcare, etc.)?
CHECKLIST
- Ensure CMMS accommodates industry-specific needs and regulations.
- Evaluate the flexibility and customizability of the solution.
Stakeholder-Level Considerations
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Identify all stakeholders (internal and external) who will benefit from the CMMS and ensure the system can accommodate them.QUESTIONS TO ASK
- Who are the key stakeholders that need access to CMMS data?
- What roles need to be integrated (Facilities Managers, IT, Contractors)?
CHECKLIST
- Define key stakeholder roles.
- Ensure the system supports data sharing and collaboration.
- Verify the integration capabilities for all users.
Organizational Considerations
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Consider the size of your organization, building ecosystem, systems, and processes in place, and how the CMMS will fit into your workflows.QUESTIONS TO ASK
- What processes need to be automated?
- How will the CMMS integrate with existing systems (ERP, HR, etc.)?
CHECKLIST
- Assess compatibility with existing systems.
- Confirm the scalability of the solution based on organizational growth.
Measuring ROI
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Clearly define your ROI expectations before choosing a CMMS, linking business goals with relevant product features.QUESTIONS TO ASK
- What are your key business goals (Energy optimization, increased productivity, etc.)?
CHECKLIST
- Define must-have features aligned to business goals.
- Prioritize features that directly impact ROI.
- Calculate potential cost savings.
Validating Your Understanding
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Shortlist 2-3 platforms and conduct discovery calls with sales teams to validate your understanding of features and capabilities.QUESTIONS TO ASK
- What are the limitations of each platform?
- Does the platform meet all the requirements outlined in previous steps?
CHECKLIST
- Schedule calls with shortlisted platforms.
- Prepare questions based on the previously defined criteria.
- Validate features and limitations.
Making a Choice
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Once you have gathered all the data, use a side-by-side comparison of shortlisted platforms to make an informed decision. Consider both short-term and long-term needs.QUESTIONS TO ASK
- Does the solution solve immediate pain points and also support future growth?
CHECKLIST
- Create a comparison matrix of features and pricing.
- Review the long-term adaptability of the CMMS.
- Finalize the decision based on business needs.
CMMS implementation guide
Implementing a CMMS can be challenging—about 80% of CMMS implementations fall short of expectations.

Common reasons include inadequate planning, ineffective execution, and choosing a vendor that doesn’t align with your business needs.
To avoid these pitfalls, here’s a 10-step CMMS implementation plan , divided into pre-implementation, during-implementation, and post-implementation phases.

CMMS pricing - How much does it cost?
Understanding the cost of a CMMS is crucial for making an informed decision.

Let’s break down what influences CMMS pricing and what you should expect.
Generally, a basic cloud-based CMMS solution costs $30 and $150 per user per month to upwards of even $4000 per month based on capabilities.
CMMS pricing is not fixed and varies widely. It is often influenced by factors like features, user count, deployment type, etc. Generally, a basic cloud-based CMMS solution costs $30 and $150 per user per month to upwards of even $4000 per month based on capabilities.
In contrast, on-premise solutions typically start with a one-time license fee around $10,000, along with costs for implementation, training, and ongoing support.
Custom pricing may apply for larger enterprises or organizations with unique requirements, ensuring the solution aligns closely with their operational needs.
What do you get when upgrading from legacy to connected CMMS?
Upgrading from a legacy CMMS to a connected system isn’t just a tech change—it’s a strategic move that drives ROI across your operations.

Cost savings and efficiency
Automate scheduling, reduce downtime, and cut labor and operational costs.
Better asset utilization
Use real-time data and predictive insights to prioritize and extend the life of critical assets.
Improved operational productivity
Streamline systems to reduce tool-switching and boost team productivity.
Enhanced compliance and risk management
Simplify compliance tracking and reduce audit risks, lowering potential legal costs.
Portfolio-wide impact
Optimize energy consumption and operational expenses across large-scale properties.
