---
title: "Predictive maintenance: what it takes | attendo"
description: "What predictive maintenance is, how it differs from preventive maintenance, the four steps to do it in order and the mistake of starting by buying sensors."
url: "https://attendo.me/en/glossary/predictive-maintenance"
lang: "en"
---

# Predictive maintenance: what it takes to do it well

Also known as: PdM

Predictive maintenance decides when to intervene based on the real condition of the equipment, measured through vibration, temperature, power draw or oil analysis, not by calendar.

## How it differs from preventive maintenance

[Preventive](https://attendo.me/en/glossary/preventive-maintenance) maintenance replaces the bearing every 6,000 hours because the manufacturer says so. Predictive maintenance replaces it when vibration shows it is wearing out: not before, wasting useful life, and not after, with the equipment broken.

## What it takes, in this order

1. **A reliable history.** Without knowing when each piece of equipment failed and why, there is no pattern to find.
2. **Something you can measure** that is related to the failure.
3. **A data collection routine**, even if it is manual with a handheld device.
4. **And then** sensors and automation.

## The usual mistake

Starting with step 4. Buying sensors before you have a history produces a lot of data and no decisions. Predictive maintenance is built on top of preventive maintenance that already works, not instead of it.

## In attendo

Every inspection stores its readings on the [asset](https://attendo.me/en/modules/assets), and sensors and IoT devices connect natively: an out-of-range reading opens a work order. For predictive maintenance, AI models work on those readings.

- [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
- [AI-CMMS](https://attendo.me/en/modules/ai-cmms): The AI in attendo CMMS: probable diagnosis and criticality
- [API v4, webhooks and MCP](https://attendo.me/en/modules/api-and-mcp): Connect whatever is not on the list, with permissions per key

### Industries that use these modules

- [Energy and renewables](https://attendo.me/en/industries/energy-renewables)
- [IT services and MSPs](https://attendo.me/en/industries/it-services)
- [Manufacturing and industrial plants](https://attendo.me/en/industries/manufacturing)
- [Facility maintenance and services](https://attendo.me/en/industries/facility-maintenance)
- [And any other business](https://attendo.me/en/industries)

## Related terms

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.

Maintenance

### MTBF

Mean time between failures

MTBF (mean time between failures) is the average time a piece of equipment runs properly between one breakdown and the next. It measures reliability.

Maintenance

### Asset criticality

Equipment criticality

Asset criticality is the impact that an asset’s failure has on service, production or safety. It helps you share out a maintenance budget that is always limited.

[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)