CMMS for Manufacturing: Smarter Maintenance Solutions for Iowa Companies

For many manufacturers, using a CMMS is becoming essential for capturing maintenance work and turning it into actionable insights. The challenge is making sure that work is consistently captured and used to inform decisions.

Through the CIRAS Digital Manufacturing Lab powered by Alliant Energy, Iowa companies are getting a closer look at tools that make that process easier and more visible.

Bringing CMMS Tools Into Reach

CIRAS, part of Iowa State University, continues to expand its Digital Lab partnerships to help companies explore practical technology in a real-world setting. One of those partnerships is with Lean Technologies, an Iowa-based company behind the Thrive platform.

Included in the Thrive platform is a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), along with a broader set of operational tools such as quality management, safety tracking, continuous improvement, and team member training. By integrating tools like Thrive into the Digital Lab, CIRAS gives companies the opportunity to see how these systems work and consider how they might fit into their operations.

“As an Iowa-based company, we really value our partnerships with Iowa manufacturers,” said Jamie Gyolai, vice president at Lean Technologies. “It has been a pleasure to work with the Digital Lab and CIRAS team. Together, we can provide resources, knowledge, and tools to help Iowa manufacturers improve their digital lean shop floor.”

Learning From Other Manufacturers

CIRAS also brings companies together to share experiences and learn from one another.

A recent Thrive user cohort workshop at the Digital Lab connected companies from across Iowa to discuss how they are using the platform and where they are seeing results. These conversations help companies move forward with a clearer understanding of what works and how to apply it.

Real Results: Metalcraft Case Example

Metalcraft is one company that has seen the benefits of using Thrive in its maintenance operations.

As the company continued to grow, it needed a more effective way to capture and manage maintenance activity. Since implementing Thrive, Metalcraft has improved how maintenance work is recorded and tracked, giving the team better visibility into daily operations.

Simple tools, such as QR codes for submitting work requests, have made it easier for employees to log maintenance needs as they arise.

As a result, Metalcraft has seen about a 30 percent increase in recorded maintenance activity. This reflects a more complete picture of the work already being done and allows the team to better plan and prioritize.

“The software was very intuitive, so it made it easy for the team to start using it,” said Jim Miller, vice president of engineering and quality at Metalcraft. “When we added the QR code to each machine, we made it much easier for all of our teams to report breakdowns, repairs, or improvements. We also appreciate Thrive’s collaborative events that help us all improve each day.”

Exploring Maintenance Technology

As more companies explore tools like Thrive, CIRAS continues to connect Iowa manufacturers with practical solutions and opportunities to learn from one another.

Through the Digital Lab, companies can evaluate new technologies, share experiences, and take informed steps toward improving their operations. Companies will also have the opportunity to explore tools like Thrive firsthand during upcoming CIRAS Digital Lab tours.

Contact Edward Fitzsimons to learn more.