Corey Dickens and Brightly Heading to SMRP Conference 2025

Corey Dickens, CMRP (Brightly) talks about why the SMRP Annual Conference (Oct 6–9, Fort Worth, TX) is a must for maintenance and reliability professionals. With sessions structured around SMRP’s 5 Pillars, factory tours, and real-world workshops, the event goes far beyond theory. It’s about peer-to-peer learning, building community, and advancing the profession—not chasing silver bullets. Corey shares what hooked him on SMRP, why Brightly will be at Booth 200, and the value of contributing to the profession over seeking easy answers or selling.

Highlights:

• Deep dive sessions, factory tours, and interactive workshops.
• Networking with peers across industries and disciplines.
• Brightly’s focus: education and contribution, not sales pitches

[Read more…]

The Cost of Unreliability with Joe Anderson on CMMSradio ahead of SMRP 2025

Real Deal Pro comin in hot and loaded with GOLD! We caught up with Joe Anderson of ReliabilityX and WOW did we get some serious insights!

Watch/Listen to ALL OF IT!  We get below the water line and into the hidden tax of unreliability with a nice brief on TPM (Total Productive Maintenance)!

• Is the maintenance industry in decline?
• Are we “problem tellers” with no solutions?

Thanks for another great talk, Joe!

[Read more…]

Process Before Platform Lessons from the CMMS Frontlines

In this episode, CMMSradio welcomes Easton Snyder, Senior Sales Engineer at Traction, who shares his career journey from mechanical engineering to process consulting. Easton dives into how Traction supports manufacturers with CMMS implementation, the importance of process understanding, and how to maintain momentum post-sale. He offers insights into data integration, AI, and sustaining operational continuity despite workforce turnover.

Key Points:

• Emphasizes defining current vs. future state to drive process improvement.
• Highlights post-sale support and the risks of losing momentum after handoff.
• Champions a “train-the-trainer” model to retain tribal knowledge.
• Advocates for foundational process clarity before relying on AI tools.

[Read more…]

From Military to Oilfields to Interfaces in Industrial CMMS Technology

CMMSradio interviews Tyler Hufstetler, Director of Partnerships at MaintainX, about his transition from military service and field operations to tech leadership. Tyler shares how battlefield strategy, hands-on oil & gas work, and a focus on team dynamics have shaped his approach to building meaningful partnerships that drive customer value and innovation at MaintainX.

Key Takeaways:

• Military background taught him to think strategically and tactically under pressure.
• Real-world ops experience helps translate frontline needs into tech solutions.
• Emphasizes humility, teamwork, and clear communication in leadership.
• MaintainX prioritizes partnerships that improve customer experience.
• Recent funding enables faster delivery of better features and usability.

[Read more…]

Why RCM Fails How to Fix it Plus Wrench Time in Maintenance with Erik Hupje on CMMSradio

Erik Hupje explores Winston Ledet’s findings on human error in maintenance and emphasizes the strategic execution of RCM, RCA, and productivity processes.

Key Takeaways:

• 84% of failures in DuPont’s study were due to work not done to standard—i.e., human error.
• RCM and RCA often fail from poor execution, not poor analysis.
• Processes like RCM should be business-owned, not department-owned.
• Wrench time is a key productivity metric—low values signal planning and system flaws.

Connect with Reliability Academy: https://reliabilityacademy.com/

[Read more…]

Big CMMS News Ultimo Acquires FSI with Zach Seely and Steven Elsham

CMMSradio interviews Steve Elsham (Ultimo) and Zach Seeley (FSI) about Ultimo’s acquisition of FSI, combining Ultimo’s broad EAM expertise with FSI’s deep healthcare CMMS knowledge. Both brands will stay independent but share resources under IFS, accelerating AI-driven innovation and enhancing solutions. Clients gain stronger support and better tools to manage complex, safety-critical healthcare maintenance.

• Ultimo expands rapidly in US healthcare by acquiring FSI’s trusted platform and expertise.
• Combined strengths drive faster innovation and AI capabilities across both products.
• The partnership improves healthcare asset management with enhanced safety and efficiency.

Thank you, Steven and Zachary, for joining us! Congratulations!

[Read more…]

From Roman Aqueducts to CMMS What Hasn’t Changed in Maintenance Christer Idhammar on CMMSradio

Christer Idhammar, Founder of IDCON, Inc., reflects on the success of Mainstream events and the enduring importance of maintenance fundamentals, regardless of technological evolution.

• What would you pick, skills or technology?
• Why is Mainstream the best conference?
• Fundamental principles like planning/scheduling over flashy tech.
• Technology should support—not replace—core maintenance practices.
• Leadership, visibility, and adapting to generational shifts are vital.

Join Mainstream Community: https://www.mainstreamcommunity.com/

[Read more…]

SMRP 2025 and Back to Basics with George Williams ReliabilityX on CMMSradio

George Williams joins CMMSradio to discuss the upcoming SMRP conference, trends in maintenance and reliability, and the critical role of CMMS systems in operational excellence. They explore the tension between new technologies like AI and the often-neglected fundamentals of reliability.

Key Takaways:

• SMRP 2025 will spotlight AI, workforce gaps, and reinforcing reliability fundamentals.
• Reliability X is deeply engaged in SMRP, offering workshops and advocating real-world improvement.
• Basic principles like proper operation and structured maintenance still matter—even as tech evolves.
• CMMS systems must be used with purpose: structured data, ownership clarity, and accountability are key.

[Read more…]

Dangerous Data Assumptions in Maintenance AI with MotorDoc on CMMSradio

Dr. Howard Penrose critiques the overuse of simulated data in engineering and maintenance fields, emphasizing the value of real-world experience and data in both research and AI applications.

Key Takaways:

• Real data is being undervalued in favor of simulated or AI-generated data.
• AI systems in maintenance are often oversold and underperform.
• Academia is disconnected from field-based realities.
• Ethical and safety concerns arise from unchecked AI use.

https://motordoc.com/

[Read more…]

A Voice for the Skilled Trades and the Journey into Manufacturing and Leadership

In this episode, we sit down with Darryl Gratrix, Production Manager at Molded Precision Components (MPC) and a passionate advocate for skilled trades.

From a geography degree to tool and die making, Darryl’s unconventional journey through stamping, molding, and management gives him a rare perspective across the manufacturing floor. His story is about more than machines—it’s about culture, communication, and lifting up the trades that power industry.

Key Highlights:

• Bridging the gap between tool rooms and production with real-world experience
• How internal customers and shared goals shape stronger teams
• Using custom-built tech (like MPC’s internal portal) to align with company culture
• Promoting the skilled trades through tours, outreach, and straight talk
• Darryl doesn’t just manage production—he helps lead the conversation about what manufacturing careers really offer.

Listen now and hear why the next generation of skilled trades needs more voices like his.

[Read more…]

Finding Value in EAM and APM Strategy with Phil Bragg of Hexagon at Streamline 2025

We sit down with Phillip Bragg of Hexagon at the 2025 Streamline Asset Management User Conference to talk about his journey from the U.S. Military to Civilian Life and how EAM and APM should be made useable above all else.

[Read more…]

Leave Maintenance Maturity to Cheese: APM Without the Wait

In this episode, CMMSradio interviews Alex Bolan from Digital Thinker Incorporated, who also supports Streamline Conferences. We explore a bold perspective on Asset Performance Management (APM), advocating for immediate operational excellence without waiting for so-called “maturity.” Bolan challenges traditional thinking in maintenance strategy and emphasizes cultural alignment, asset prioritization, and early action as keys to success in APM.

Bullet Points:

• Don’t wait for maturity—start APM now
• Challenge consulting mindsets that delay progress
• Focus on critical assets and maximizing return on asset (ROA)
• Importance of asking “why” before proposing solutions
• Culture and alignment matter more than tech maturity

[Read more…]

Bryan Bieschke returns to CMMSradio, reflecting on the panel at Reliable Plant and digging into the art of truly understanding clients. They spotlight the gap between buzzwords and real-world practices—especially when it comes to asking better questions, clarifying terminology, and integrating CMMS purposefully within well-defined maintenance roles.

Key Takeaways:

• Actionable insights over buzzwords
• Curiosity beats assumptions
• Language matters
• Role clarity promotes ownership
• Listening isn’t passive
• Real CMMS use relies on team cohesion

[Read more…]

This episode of CMMSradio features Drew Troyer of Bootleg Advisors, a seasoned reliability leader with over 36 years of experience. Drew and Greg Christensen dive into topics like Reliability Driven Innovation, the evolution of asset management, and the importance of reimagining maintenance and reliability as value-driven disciplines. The episode previews Drew’s upcoming keynote at the Mainstream UK Summit, where he challenges the traditional view of asset management as a cost center.

Key Takeaways:

• Drew’s decades-long career in asset management and reliability.
• Asset management as a value center, not just a cost sink.
• The importance of standardization, job planning, and the FLAB framework FLAB: Fasteners, Lubrication, Alignment, Balance
• Drew’s Mainstream UK Summit keynote on transforming reliability culture and improving data-driven decision-making.

[Read more…]

Brandon Cummings of Flowpath joins CMMSradio to explore the company’s deliberate and thoughtful approach to AI in maintenance. Over 12–16 months, Flowpath developed intelligent, reliable AI assistants to automate work order creation, analysis, and alerts—carefully avoiding AI drift and hallucinations. The result is a practical, verifiable solution already in the hands of users, with future expansions planned for asset lifecycle management.

Key Points:

• Flowpath spent over a year developing AI that prioritizes real-world problem solving.
• AI Assistant allows users to interact naturally—via text, images, and voice.
• A three-agent automation package addresses work order creation, monitoring, and alerting.
• Flowpath’s approach is grounded in control, transparency, and trust—avoiding AI hallucinations.

[Read more…]