--- title: "CMMS: what it is and how it differs from an ERP | attendo" description: "What a CMMS is, what it should include (assets, preventive plans, work orders, spare parts and metrics) and why it does not replace an ERP, nor the ERP it." url: "https://attendo.me/en/glossary/cmms" lang: "en" --- # CMMS: what it is and how it differs from an ERP Also known as: Computerized maintenance management system A CMMS (computerized maintenance management system) is the software where an organization records its assets, plans maintenance, manages work orders and keeps track of spare parts and costs. ## What a CMMS has to do - An [asset inventory](https://attendo.me/en/glossary/asset) with a hierarchy and technical records. - [Preventive maintenance](https://attendo.me/en/glossary/preventive-maintenance) plans with their intervals. - [Work orders](https://attendo.me/en/glossary/work-order) with tasks, times and materials. - Spare parts and stock management. - The history of every piece of equipment. - Reliability metrics, such as [MTBF](https://attendo.me/en/glossary/mtbf) and [MTTR](https://attendo.me/en/glossary/mttr). You may also see it called maintenance management software, or GMAO in Spanish and French. It is the same thing. ## A CMMS is not an ERP The ERP runs accounting, invoicing and purchasing for the whole company. The CMMS runs maintenance. They meet at one point: the materials and hours that need to be costed or billed. That is why they should talk to each other, but one does not replace the other. A maintenance module inside an ERP usually falls short for companies that live off maintenance. And a CMMS is not going to do your accounting. ## The usual mistake Buying a CMMS before deciding **who will keep the inventory up to date**. An outdated inventory undermines everything else: plans are generated for equipment that no longer exists and, within a few months, nobody believes the reports. ## In attendo [attendo CMMS](https://attendo.me/en/cmms) is the platform with the maintenance modules turned on. The asset, the customer who owns it and the ticket that reported the breakdown live in the same system. The invoice is issued by your connected [ERP](https://attendo.me/en/modules/erp-integrations): attendo is not an ERP or accounting software. - [attendo CMMS](https://attendo.me/en/cmms) ## Where it is used in attendo ### Modules - [Assets and inventory](https://attendo.me/en/modules/assets): Each asset with its own record, QR code, history and readings - [attendo Checklist](https://attendo.me/en/modules/checklists): Inspections with photo, signature and location, closed on site - [Warehouse, purchasing and stock](https://attendo.me/en/modules/purchasing-and-stock): Warehouses, stock, purchasing and suppliers, without a spreadsheet - [AI-CMMS](https://attendo.me/en/modules/ai-cmms): The AI in attendo CMMS: probable diagnosis and criticality - [ERP integration](https://attendo.me/en/modules/erp-integrations): Odoo, SAP Business One, Business Central and Holded, connected ### Industries that use these modules - [Manufacturing and industrial plants](https://attendo.me/en/industries/manufacturing) - [Energy and renewables](https://attendo.me/en/industries/energy-renewables) - [Testing, inspection and laboratories](https://attendo.me/en/industries/testing-inspection) - [Facility maintenance and services](https://attendo.me/en/industries/facility-maintenance) - [And any other business](https://attendo.me/en/industries) ## Related terms Maintenance ### Asset An asset is any piece of equipment, machine or installation whose maintenance you keep track of: its record, its location, its history and its costs. Maintenance ### Work order WO A work order (WO) is the document that describes a maintenance job: what needs to be done, on which equipment, by whom and when. Maintenance ### Preventive maintenance PM Preventive maintenance is work planned by calendar or by usage to keep failures from happening: routine inspections, lubrication, scheduled replacements and regulatory checks. [See all 53 glossary terms](https://attendo.me/en/glossary) ## Shall we look at it with your data? We will show you how what you just read works in attendo, with your own assets, tickets and customers. If it is not a fit, we will tell you. - With your operation, not a generic demo - A real person from our team replies - No cold calls afterwards Would you rather talk first? - Phone [+34 910 053 530](tel:+34910053530) - Email [sales@attendo.me](mailto:sales@attendo.me) - Monday to Thursday 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM and Friday 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM (Spain time)