Outsourcing vs. doing-it-yourself

If equipment management is outsourced, the operator shifts the risk and responsibility from the business to the dealership. To help determine if outsourcing is the right alternative, the following questions should be answered:

ú  People - How will I find, train, and retain competent equipment maintenance personnel?

ú  Management - Where will I find the leadership within the organization to move from unplanned, reactive maintenance to planned, proactive maintenance?

ú  Performance measurement - Do I have the people and processes in place to perform equipment analysis, elevate the use of equipment management technology, and learn and adapt from performance measurements?

ú  Parts and maintenance supplies - Where will I find time to address repairs, procurement, management, ownership, warranty administration, and total cost of ownership issues?

ú  Costs - How do I maximize the value of every dollar spent on maintenance and reduce the costs associated with poor maintenance?

If an operator can readily answer these basic questions and equipment management is truly a core competency at the business, then the operator can concentrate on improving its maintenance organization. But, if an operator struggles for answers, then outsourcing all or part of equipment management may be a viable option.

Once again get started

Implementation of equipment management will be an evolutionary process for operators and their team. And there is no better time to start implementing it than right now.