Over the years, IT salesmen have become more and more creative in finding new ways to promote their products. The term “EAM” invented by IT people in the mid-90s, has gained huge popularity in China.

In our opinion as maintenance professionals, we have always preferred to use the timeless industrial term “maintenance management system” (MMS) or “computerized maintenance management system” (CMMS). Without the initial C for computerized, the acronym denotes a broader view of maintenance, including the system itself but, more importantly, its usage.

In the Facilities Management world, the terms CAFM (Computer Aided Facility Management) or FMS (Facility Management Systems) are more frequently used. The aviation industry will also use different words, such as MRO (Maintenance Repair and Overhaul). The same IT salesmen have in the past few years tried to promote new terms EMMS, SAM, eEAM etc… while also using every possible buzzword (RCM, RCM II, SRCM, ERP II and many more) often without even understanding their meaning.

In the end, we at Siveco have taken the position to use a word that maintenance professionals all over the world recognize, regardless of IT fads and salespeople’s tricks. We encourage our customers to keep a clear mind and see the industrial reality behind the fancy words.