What are assets?
Assets are the backbone of any CMMS. They are the equipment and the major & minor components that will have the work performed on them tracked in tasks.
At least one asset is required before tasks can be created.
Individual assets form an asset hierarchy. Once created, each asset can also then have sub-assets underneath them in the asset hierarchy. The depth of the asset hierarchy will largely depend on the organisation's desired level of traceability traded off against the level of added administration that the organisation is prepared to take on.
Once created, each asset exists in Maintainly as an entity and not merely as a consumable or spare part (they should be added as materials). This means that each asset has a history, can be moved, will depreciate in value over time, and will, presumably, be retired eventually.
There is no set rule as to what should qualify as an asset; it's a decision each organisation must make on an asset-by-asset basis. However, when considering whether something should be traced as an asset, and not merely as a consumable, the following guidelines should be considered carefully:
Should be an asset (any one of):
Will have work performed on it and develop a work history via tasks;
Requires preventative maintenance;
Has a serial number;
Is of significant value;
Will be useful (eg. refurbished) if removed;
May be de-commissioned, or retired in the future.
Not an asset (most likely a material):
Does not have a unique serial number;
More concerned about tracking quantity used during maintenance than identifying each one individually;
Won't be re-used, reconditioned or moved between sites or assets;
Is of a relatively low value.
NOTE: Before adding your first asset, you must first have a site where the asset will (at least initially) reside. We'll help you create your first site during the process of adding your first asset.
NOTE: At least one asset must exist on a site before any tasks can be created.