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/

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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!

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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/

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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.

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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/

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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$150M Round and a Bold Leap Forward for MaintainX 

• $150M in new funding
• $2.5B valuation
• Full throttle on AI-powered maintenance & asset management

Nick breaks down how MaintainX is going beyond buzzwords to deliver real results—focusing AI on Asset Intelligence (machine health) and Work Intelligence (empowering humans). We dig into:

• Why capturing tribal knowledge is critical
• How to overcome resistance to change
• What it takes to do more with less in the skilled labor crisis
• And why leadership needs to walk the floor—literally

Listen in or watch to see how they’re helping frontline teams win with better tools, smarter data, and bold moves.

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Tobias Pforr with Hexagon joined CMMSradio at Streamline 2025 in Greenville SC to talk about creating value, asset management, condition monitoring, data, and how AI creates unique dumbness.

Be sure you attend Streamline in 2026! New format and tons of learning from real pros!

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Reimagining Maintenance and Reliability at The Mainstream UK Summit 2025

The Mainstream UK Summit is coming to Birmingham, England!

This episode features Steve Morris of the Mainstream Community, discussing the power of community learning, practical problem-solving, and a human-centric approach to maintenance and reliability. With the upcoming Mainstream UK Summit as a backdrop, the conversation emphasizes the importance of reimagining maintenance and reliability by focusing on people, shared knowledge, and core fundamentals.

Mainstream Community supports professionals through learning, advisory boards, and summits. A people-first mindset—technology is a tool, not the focus.

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CMMS Friend or Foe with Maintenance Industry Veteran Joel Levitt

What happens when you mix nearly five decades of maintenance experience with a sharp sense of humor and a passion for teaching? You get Joel Levitt—trainer, author, board member at Reliable, and the mind behind the comic book series “CMMS: Friend or Foe.”

In this episode of CMMSradio, we sit down with Joel to ask the real questions:

Why does CMMS still frustrate so many teams? Why do vendors overcomplicate simple problems? And what can we learn from a real-deal pro with 50 years in the industry?

Tune in and find out.

MMS isn’t just about software—it’s about people, processes, and how data actually gets used on the shop floor.

Joel’s comics are a fresh way to capture decades of lessons—and keep them alive for the next generation.

We also get into the promises (and perils) of AI in maintenance, and what we risk when we lose sight of the fundamentals.

Key points from the episode:

• Humor helps address serious maintenance challenges.
• CMMS struggles with data quality, interpretation, and trust.
• Standardization resistance still holds many teams back.
• AI may accelerate problems if fundamentals aren’t in place.
• Storytelling tools like comics can improve knowledge retention.

Listen now and hear why Joel says, “The more things change in maintenance, the more they stay the same.”

Connect with Joel and Springfield Resources here: https://www.maintenancetraining.com/

Find and buy all if his books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/…

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