In the competitive satellite television services industry, one MPulse customer has a strategy\u2014offer the highest quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value. With that as its mantra, this top-tier national satellite services provider turned to MPulse to give the company an edge.<\/p>\n
This industry leader uses MPulse Maintenance Software to gather real-time data in a way that shows managers a more efficient way to do business. The media calls this phenomenon \u201cthe Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT),\u201d which describes technology that gathers information directly from multiple devices\u2014 computers, vehicles, smartphones, appliances, building automation systems, and production equipment.<\/p>\n
Incorporating principles of the IIoT gave this leading satellite services provider’s maintenance team access to real-time data that offers insights into their assets, how they\u2019re working, and what they\u2019re really costing the organization. And that helps keep the company at the top of their very competitive field.<\/p>\n
With two facilities that recondition satellite receivers, this leading satellite television services company needed a way to streamline the process of testing and repairing satellite receivers that arrive daily from across the country. Company executives wanted to automate work order generation with data from their receiver testing process and their MPulse CMMS software.<\/p>\n
While the testing process was already automated, this idea took automation to the next level, helping the maintenance crew respond faster. \u201cWhen there\u2019s a problem, we want to know immediately,\u201d explained the company\u2019s business operations manager.<\/p>\n
In 2014, the company purchased MPulse Gold, which offers a full suite of CMMS features and functions\u2014from managing PMs, work orders, and service requests, to tracking and controlling inventory and managing vendors. Maintenance managers worked with MPulse to create a process, which they call Auto-Gen, where test results are automatically sent to MPulse via the company\u2019s internal network.<\/p>\n
Based on conditions set by the maintenance team, MPulse analyzes the data. When a receiver fails a test three times out of five, MPulse automatically generates a work order for its repair.<\/p>\n
Quantity and speed were important. \u201cThere are so many of these assets, there\u2019s no way a person could efficiently create tickets for\u00a0them all.\u201d Not to mention, accuracy was vital. \u201cIf your data is wrong,\u00a0it\u2019s of no use to you. With MPulse, we have very accurate numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n
It worked so well, the company upgraded to MPulse 8 Gold after\u00a0its release in 2016, and Auto-Gen is still going strong.<\/p>\n
The benefits were immediate. After it launched, the new automated system generated 100 more work orders per shift. In 2015, the two facilities processed 115,000 work orders. In 2016, they processed 130,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe take the human element out and just pass it off to a ticket,\u201d he explained. And automated work orders are just one of the benefits MPulse provides. The company also uses their CMMS software to improve other maintenance workflows:<\/p>\n
The company uses MPulse\u2019s mobile features so their technicians can manage work orders faster while they are on the go.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur techs use tablets. Everything they need is right there. They can monitor the maintenance request queue without going back to a kiosk to see what\u2019s next.\u201d<\/p>\n
MPulse Software generates a schedule of preventive maintenance tasks, which makes it easier to ensure scheduled maintenance happens when it should. They also expanded this capability to other assets, like operator checklists for forklifts.<\/p>\n
The company uses IIoT data to track labor hours and document who is meeting the company\u2019s performance benchmarks. Maintenance managers also use MPulse to determine response times\u2014another important gauge of productivity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are numbers we didn\u2019t know before,\u201d he said. \u201cWe expect a 10-minute response time, and the repairs should take about 30 minutes per work order. If someone\u2019s not making those numbers, we can dig deeper to see if they need more training or support.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company found MPulse significantly improved communication between employees as well as between shifts. \u201cWe know how many times a work order has been opened on an asset. For example, we had one case where the same component was replaced seven times on the same asset because no one knew what had been done before. Now our techs can see what someone else has already done, so they know they need to take the next step.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another benefit that is harder to quantify is MPulse\u2019s support team. \u201cThey are very helpful whenever we run into an issue. They\u2019ve been very supportive. It makes a difference when you can get ahold of someone when you need them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The true power of the IIoT isn\u2019t actually in the sensors and devices themselves. It\u2019s the software that stores and processes data that makes the difference.<\/p>\n
MPulse CMMS software helps maintenance managers make sense of what to do with the data gathered by these devices, telling you to take action when the time is right, improving the reliability of your assets while also reducing risk and saving money.<\/p>\n
In the competitive satellite services industry, the IIoT is keeping this industry leader on top. \u201cWe are data driven,\u201d the business operations manager said. \u201cWe are looking for any place we can generate data.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yet even with all their recent success, the company knows it\u2019s not time to slow down if they want to stay competitive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking for more automation wherever we can.\u201d<\/p>\n