By transitioning from paper to an efficient CMMS, the group’s companies develop optimal responsiveness
Based in Saint-Pierre de La Réunion, SAMELEC (19 employees, 2023 revenue €3M) specializes in high and low voltage electrical installations, maintenance of electrical panels, emergency lighting, fire safety, and video surveillance. Its operational scope covers a large part of the department. Its main clients include the department and its buildings, the region for high schools and colleges, as well as real estate companies, bank branches, clinics, and shopping centers. EIM, its sister company (2023 revenue €530,000), primarily focuses on low voltage activities related to the installation and maintenance of fire safety systems, cameras, and automatic gates. Alexandrine Boisard, HR manager, is also responsible for maintenance, particularly the planning and updating of regulatory files, a challenging task that was difficult until the implementation of a CMMS.
A CMMS to transition from paper to structured processes
Initially, SAMELEC responded to a call for tenders for fire safety maintenance in a municipality covering several dozen sites. A CMMS was a prerequisite after awarding, as the client wanted to ensure that their maintenance would be well monitored. A shortlist of three suppliers was established – including DimoMaint MX – followed by a benchmark. Alexandrine BOISARD created a comparative table that she shared with the person who responded to the tender and a project manager, as well as with departments not directly concerned by the CMMS. Unanimity was reached around the DimoMaint MX solution.
Three differentiating criteria
The solution appealed to the project team because:
- The attentiveness of the DimoMaint sales team was appreciated, where other entities merely skimmed over the need.
- It was possible to set up in-person training with a local provider.
- The solution closely met the initial request.
A solution to facilitate fieldwork
The functional scope of the CMMS had to offer the ability to manage the databases of both structures, ensuring they are as complete as possible to facilitate the work of field technicians so they have no trouble finding information. For Alexandrine BOISARD, this is now the case: “When we create a work request, at a glance, our technicians have access to everything necessary (assets, installation date, previous interventions…). Moreover, they have welcomed the solution very well. The test period following the training allowed for more precise adjustments to the initial needs.”
Within a quarter since the final implementation of the solution in June 2024 – the acquisition having been decided at the end of 2023 – the team has handled a hundred interventions. All sites to be maintained have been referenced in the solution, both from a curative and preventive perspective. The solution is currently used by 5 technicians equipped with tablets for mobility. For now, the CMMS primarily allows for monitoring fire safety maintenance, as SAMELEC has opted for a progressive functional rollout.
Benefits for SAMELEC … and its clients
Currently, clients prefer to send an email to report work requests. The request entered into the CMMS becomes a work order (WO) which is then assigned to the technician responsible for the client’s maintenance or the one closest in the field. Once the intervention is completed, the technician generates a report that is validated by the client in the CMMS. The WO and photos are managed by the administrative team, with invoicing handled by another tool, as well as stock management.
“We moved directly from paper to digital. The CMMS has improved our precision and responsiveness, both for offering quotes and launching interventions. The client who pushed for the use of a CMMS also sees the benefits and appreciates the faster feedback, which is important for a service company like ours,” says Alexandrine BOISARD.
Perspectives for developing internal communication
Not all employees involved in maintenance or troubleshooting have access to the CMMS yet – this is planned for 2025, especially for the area covering high voltage – and it is likely that the tool will greatly enhance internal communication, for example through analyses and KPIs. Additionally, regular stock management is planned to be included in the functional scope. “Implementing such a tool is invaluable, as the time savings are impressive,” concludes Alexandrine BOISARD.
