EAM vs CMMS for manufacturers: how to choose
Quick answer: a CMMS helps you plan and track maintenance work orders, parts and schedules. EAM is wider and covers the full asset lifecycle with policy and finance links. With Makula you start with Asset Hub as the centralised asset database, then run CMMS on top for maintenance execution. You can add other modules later if needed.
The short version
- CMMS is maintenance execution. It helps you schedule work, assign jobs, track parts and report on uptime. The U.S. Department of Energy’s O&M guidance explains what a CMMS does and how it supports effective maintenance programmes: Operations and Maintenance Best Practices Guide.
- EAM is asset lifecycle. It adds policy, multi-site governance and finance links. ISO 55000 sets out the principles of lifecycle asset management: ISO 55000 overview.
Tip: if your main pain is slow work orders or poor visibility, start with Asset Hub + CMMS. That gives you a single source of truth for assets and a clean way to plan and track the work.
How Makula packages CMMS and Asset Hub
- Asset Hub is the centralised database for every machine, part, serial and warranty.
- CMMS uses Asset Hub data to plan and track preventive and corrective work.
- You deploy both together, then add optional modules when useful, for example Industrial AI or 3D Stream.
What a CMMS covers
- Plan and track work orders, preventive schedules and inspections
- Log parts, suppliers and simple costs
- Keep asset history and warranty details together
- Give technicians a clear mobile job list
- Report on backlog, compliance and downtime trends
Why it matters: moving from reactive to planned maintenance reduces cost and improves reliability. See the DOE guidance above for CMMS selection and benefits.
What EAM covers
- Everything a CMMS does, plus asset lifecycle and policy
- Multi-site standards and approvals
- Deeper cost tracking and finance integrations
- Asset strategy aligned with ISO 55000 principles of value, risk and performance
If you run one or a few plants and your priority is faster response and clean work history, EAM scope can be more than you need on day one. Many teams standardise on CMMS first.
How to choose in 3 steps
- Define the pain
If complaints are about response times, missed handovers and unclear work history, choose Asset Hub + CMMS first. - Check scale and finance needs
If leadership wants lifecycle controls and finance links across many sites, EAM can fit. - Plan for outcomes, not features
Start with the smallest stack that lets you track machines, cut delays and handle warranty. Add modules later.
Examples from factories
- Single site, 40 machines
Deploy Asset Hub + CMMS to plan PMs, track work orders and keep history straight. - Multi-site, strict policy and finance
Consider EAM, or Asset Hub + CMMS with finance integrations. Align policy and value language with ISO 55000. - Growing team that needs better visibility
With Asset Hub in place, extend CMMS and add analytics or AI later if it helps outcomes.
If you are an OEM
OEMs often need customer and dealer self-service. In that case pair Asset Hub + CMMS with:
- Customer Portal so customers can log requests and track status
Factories that use CMMS for internal maintenance usually do not need a customer portal.
Where Makula fits
- Asset Hub as the centralised asset database
- CMMS for maintenance execution on those assets
- Optional add-ons when ready: Industrial AI, 3D Stream
- For plant leaders, the summary page is Industries: Manufacturing
You can start with Asset Hub + CMMS, then add modules only when they help outcomes.
