Frequently asked questions
Concise answers to common questions about industrial facility systems.
What is an industrial facilities management system?
It is the combination of processes, people, asset information and software used to manage facility work, building systems, infrastructure, maintenance, contractors, compliance and lifecycle decisions.
What is the difference between CMMS and EAM?
CMMS focuses strongly on maintenance work and history. EAM typically adds broader lifecycle, cost, materials and asset-management capabilities. Product boundaries overlap.
Is a BMS the same as a CMMS?
No. A BMS monitors and controls building systems; a CMMS manages maintenance work and history. They can be integrated.
What is the difference between preventive and predictive maintenance?
Preventive maintenance is scheduled by time or usage. Predictive maintenance uses data and models to estimate future condition or failure risk.
What does MTBF tell me?
It summarizes operating time between defined failures. It is useful for comparison and trends but can hide different failure modes and operating conditions.
How should facility assets be prioritized?
Use consequences such as safety, environment, production/service impact, quality, cost, redundancy and lead time rather than purchase price alone.
Does ISO 41001 specify which FM software to use?
No. ISO 41001 specifies requirements for a facility-management management system; it does not prescribe a particular software product.
Are the compliance guides valid in every country?
No. Building, fire, electrical, accessibility, environmental and safety rules vary by jurisdiction. The site explains management principles only.
For more detail, browse the guide library or glossary.