What is CMMS? Computerized Maintenance Management Systems Explained

Key Takeaways:

• A CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) replaces manual maintenance tracking methods like paper and spreadsheets by creating a single, centralized digital database for all maintenance activities.

• The CMMS system operates through critical key modules, including Work Order Management, Preventive Maintenance, and Asset Registry.

• A CMMS is distinct from other enterprise software like ERP and EAMs because it is a specialized tool focused exclusively on day-to-day maintenance execution for technicians and managers.

• The primary goal of adopting a modern CMMS is to transition your team from reactive to proactive maintenance, reducing equipment downtime, lowering costs, and enhancing safety.

What is a CMMS?

A Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is a software platform designed to streamline asset, work order, and maintenance management for operational teams. Maintenance, operations, and facilities teams use a CMMS to manage work orders, assets, and preventive maintenance in real-time. The platform serves as a central system for tracking all repairs, associated costs, and parts inventory.

The ABL Group’s Global Maintenance Manager Report states that over 56% of maintenance managers prioritize an optimized maintenance strategy. Many teams traditionally used paper, clipboards, or spreadsheets, which led to siloed data and poor visibility. A modern CMMS replaces these manual processes, providing a single source of truth for maintenance, reducing downtime, and improving efficiency.

How Does a CMMS Work?

A CMMS functions by centralizing all maintenance information into a single database. This database acts as the system's core, organizing data about physical assets, spare parts, employees, and maintenance procedures. This centralized approach enables managers and technicians to schedule, track, and optimize maintenance activities, thereby improving asset reliability and availability. 

CMMS functions are broken down into several key modules as follows.

Work Order Management

Often considered the primary function of a CMMS, this module automates and streamlines the entire lifecycle of a maintenance task. Work order management includes capabilities to automate order creation, reserve necessary materials, and schedule the right employees or crews for the job. It tracks the status of all work, records planned versus actual costs, and documents all associated information, such as cause and remedy codes or parts used.

Safety

A modern CMMS enhances safety by integrating compliance directly into daily workflows. Key functions include enabling teams to immediately report incidents or hazards from the field, linking those events to trackable Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs), conducting Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) before work begins, and centralizing compliance documentation, such as OSHA logs.

Asset Registry

The asset registry is a key database for all physical equipment the organization maintains. This module allows teams to store, access, and share detailed asset information.

Key data points often include:

• Manufacturer, model, and serial number.

• Asset location, costs, and associated codes.

• Performance statistics and downtime history.

• Attached documentation, such as repair manuals, warranties, and safety procedures.

Preventive Maintenance

The CMMS automates the scheduling of preventive maintenance (PM) work orders based on set triggers, such as time, equipment usage, or specific events. Reports indicate that downtime costs the top 500 companies 11% of their annual revenue, and that two-thirds of companies experience unplanned downtime at a cost of approximately $130,000 per hour. A CMMS tool like UpKeep ensures routine inspections and service tasks are sequenced and scheduled automatically, preventing equipment failures before they happen.

Resource and Labor Management

A CMMS tracks available employees, their specific certifications or skills, and their shift schedules. This allows managers to assign specific tasks or assemble crews based on who is available and qualified, and to manage pay rates for different jobs.

Materials and Inventory Management

Effective maintenance relies on having the right parts on hand. This function tracks MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) inventory across all storage locations and facilities. It manages supplier information, tracks inventory costs, and can automate the reordering of parts when stock levels run low.

Reporting, Analysis, and Auditing

A CMMS collects vast amounts of data, and this module helps turn that data into actionable insights. Managers can generate reports on key performance indicators (KPIs), such as asset availability, labor and material costs, and performance trends. This analysis supports better business decisions and helps organize information required for regulatory audits.

CMMS in Action: Industries that Benefit from CMMS

A CMMS is a versatile tool used by any organization that manages physical assets. Any operation that relies on equipment, vehicles, or facilities to function can improve reliability and reduce costs by adopting a CMMS.

Manufacturing

This sector uses CMMS to manage complex production line machinery. Key goals include minimizing production downtime, automating preventive maintenance scheduling, and managing a comprehensive inventory of spare parts. 

Sample Use Case

A plant manager schedules preventive maintenance on a bottling machine to reduce downtime. They also use asset data to perform a root cause analysis on a recurring motor failure.

Transportation & Logistics

Companies in this industry manage large fleets of vehicles. A CMMS is essential for tracking fleet maintenance schedules, managing parts for repairs, and monitoring fuel consumption to prevent costly delivery delays.

Sample Use Case

A logistics company schedules vehicle preventive maintenance based on mileage. Technicians use a mobile app to log pre-trip inspections, report issues, and document repairs, creating a full service history.

Facility Management

Managers responsible for multiple buildings use CMMS to handle property maintenance. This may include managing work orders for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems, as well as tracking service histories and records.

Sample Use Case

A facility manager receives a work request for a faulty HVAC unit, assigns a technician via the CMMS, and tracks the repair (e.g., filter replacement) in real-time as the technician closes the work order from their phone.

Oil & Gas

In this high-risk sector, safety and reliability are paramount. A CMMS helps manage and maintain remote and high-value assets, such as rigs and pipelines, track asset performance, and ensure strict regulatory compliance.

Sample Use Case

An offshore rig supervisor utilizes a CMMS to manage and document a rigorous inspection schedule for critical safety valves, thereby creating a digital audit trail to demonstrate regulatory compliance.

Energy and Utilities 

Power plants, water treatment facilities, and distribution grids rely on CMMS to ensure service reliability and continuity. The software helps manage complex assets, such as turbines and transformers, minimize outages, and enable predictive maintenance.

Sample Use Case

A utility company manages vegetation-clearing schedules near power lines, tracks maintenance on transformers, and dispatches crews to failures with all necessary asset information.

Healthcare

Hospitals and clinics rely on critical medical equipment, such as MRI machines and ventilators. A CMMS schedules preventive maintenance for this equipment to enhance patient safety and maintain compliance with health regulations.

Sample Use Case

A hospital's biomedical team uses a CMMS to track the inspection and calibration schedule for medical devices (e.g., infusion pumps), ensuring patient safety and providing an auditable compliance history.

Education

School districts and universities manage maintenance across large, multi-building campuses. A CMMS helps track work orders for classrooms, labs, and dorms and manages all facility assets.

Sample Use Case

A university's facilities department manages work orders from across campus, routing requests from professors (e.g., a broken projector) or students (e.g., a dorm plumbing issue) to the correct technician.

Government

Municipal organizations use CMMS to maintain public assets and infrastructure. This includes tracking maintenance for buildings, parks, and vehicle fleets, ensuring the longevity of public assets through preventive maintenance.

Sample Use Case

A city's public works department manages preventive maintenance for its municipal vehicle fleet (e.g., sanitation trucks) and tracks work orders for public infrastructure repairs (e.g., potholes)

Key CMMS Users by Role

A CMMS delivers the most value when access is structured around specific user roles rather than generic, one-size-fits-all permissions. When the right people see the right screens, tasks move faster, data quality improves, and audits run more smoothly. 

Types of CMMS

On-Premise CMMS

An on-premise CMMS is a traditional model where the software is installed and operated locally from a company's in-house servers and computing infrastructure. In this setup, the organization is fully responsible for managing and maintaining the system, including all hardware, security, and software updates.

Cloud-Based CMMS

A cloud-based CMMS, often delivered as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), is hosted on the vendor's servers and accessed by users over the internet through a web browser or mobile app. The CMMS provider is responsible for all backend infrastructure, including server maintenance, data security, and system updates. 

Hybrid CMMS

A hybrid CMMS combines elements of both on-premise and cloud solutions. This model enables an organization to maintain sensitive data on its on-premises servers while leveraging the flexibility of the cloud for mobile access for technicians. Data and applications can be integrated to work between the two environments.

The choice between them depends on an organization's specific needs regarding security, IT resources, accessibility, and cost structure. Each model offers a different approach to hosting, managing, and accessing the maintenance software.

EAM vs ERP vs CMMS: What’s the Difference?

A Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is a specialized tool focused exclusively on maintenance operations. A CMMS is designed for the maintenance team, focusing on optimizing the reliability and upkeep of existing assets.

Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) is a broader term that encompasses the entire lifecycle of an organization's physical assets. It includes all the functions of a CMMS but adds strategic layers, such as asset planning and procurement, installation, financial tracking, risk management, and asset disposal or replacement.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a comprehensive, organization-wide system designed to integrate all primary business functions. An ERP integrates finance, human resources, manufacturing, supply chain management, and customer relations into a single database. 

All three systems can manage maintenance, but their core purpose and scope are very different.

• A CMMS is a focused tool for managing maintenance.

• An EAM is a broader system for managing the entire asset lifecycle.

• An ERP is an all-in-one system for managing the entire business.

What Sets CMMS Apart from EAM and ERP Systems?

A CMMS is differentiated by its deep specialization and focus on the day-to-day tasks of maintenance professionals. A CMMS offers detailed, user-friendly tools for technicians and managers performing tasks, while EAM systems focus on an asset's high-level financial and strategic lifecycle.

Unlike an ERP, which is a comprehensive system designed for the entire company, a CMMS is specifically tailored for maintenance workflows. An ERP's maintenance module is often a generalized, one-size-fits-all solution that may be awkward for technicians to use in the field. A modern CMMS is typically mobile-first and clearly designed to make work order management and PM compliance efficient for the teams on the ground.

When to Choose a CMMS Over Other Systems

You should choose a dedicated CMMS when your primary goal is to improve and optimize your maintenance operations, rather than re-engineering your entire business. A CMMS is often the best starting point for organizations that are not yet ready for the cost and complexity of a full EAM or ERP. 

Choose a CMMS if your main challenges are:

• Disorganized work orders or reliance on paper and spreadsheets.

• High levels of reactive firefighting and equipment downtime.

• A growing backlog of missed preventive maintenance.

• Poor visibility into what your technicians are doing.

• Inaccurate spare parts inventory.

Key Considerations When Choosing CMMS Software

Selecting the right Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) involves balancing several critical factors to ensure the platform fits your technicians’ needs. A platform might fail if it is too complex or if technicians refuse to use it. Here are some key considerations when choosing CMMS software

Deployment Type

Determine whether a cloud-based (SaaS), on-premises, or hybrid model is best suited for your infrastructure. UpKeep is a cloud-based and mobile-first platform, offering flexibility over traditional on-premise solutions.

User-Friendliness and Mobile Access

The success of the CMMS system depends on its adoption by your technicians. The interface must be intuitive, clean, and easy to use, both for desk-based managers and field technicians. A reliable mobile app with offline functionality is critical, as it allows technicians to manage work orders and update them directly from their mobile devices.

Integration Capabilities

Evaluate the CMMS's ability to connect with your other business-critical systems. This may include integrations with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for financial data, Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) platforms, or IoT sensors for real-time condition monitoring.

Vendor Support and Training

Look for a vendor that acts as a partner. Evaluate the level of support they provide, particularly during the critical implementation phase. Good vendors offer comprehensive training for your team, responsive customer service, and an accessible knowledge base. This combination ensures you can quickly solve problems and maximize the software’s potential.

Customization and Scalability

The software should adapt to your workflows, not the other way around. Verify if you can customize fields, reports, and dashboards to align with your specific business processes. The system must also be scalable and accommodate more users, assets, or locations as your company expands.

Advanced Capabilities and AI

Modern systems offer features beyond basic work orders. Look for advanced capabilities, such as AI-powered analytics, predictive maintenance tools, and preventive maintenance scheduling. AI enhancements can help optimize schedules, suggest parts, or analyze data to predict when an asset is likely to fail. 

Full Feature Reporting

The ability to generate comprehensive reports is essential for measuring performance, proving ROI, and ensuring compliance. A good CMMS provides both pre-built and customizable reports on key metrics, such as equipment downtime, PM compliance, maintenance costs, and team productivity. 

System Security

Inquire about the vendor's security protocols, especially for cloud-based systems. This includes data encryption, user-level permissions, and compliance with industry security standards to protect your information from unauthorized access.

Key Benefits of a CMMS

A Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) provides numerous advantages by centralizing and optimizing maintenance operations. These systems enable organizations to gain control over their assets, streamline workflows, and enhance overall reliability.

The primary benefits include:

• Reducing equipment downtime 

• Providing real-time access to asset information 

• Creating full workflow visibility for managers and technicians 

• Enabling the automation of routine tasks and scheduling 

• Streamlining work order management from creation to completion 

• Improving the management of field workforces 

• Helping maintain safer and more compliant facilities 

• Optimizing preventive maintenance schedules 

The CMMS Implementation Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Successfully implementing a new CMMS involves a structured, multi-stage process. A successful rollout focuses on clear goals, clean data, and strong user training to ensure high technician adoption. Most teams are live within 1-2 weeks for standard rollouts, though complex projects can take 30-60 days. This five-step guide outlines the typical process for getting a CMMS from a plan to a fully adopted tool.

Step 1: Planning and Goal Setting

Start by defining objectives and KPIs. Your goals must be measurable. Instead of a vague goal like "improve maintenance," set specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure progress. Examples include reducing equipment downtime by 20%, achieving 95% preventive maintenance compliance, or reducing mean time to repair by 10%.

To successfully execute this, you need a dedicated project owner, often referred to as a CMMS Champion. This person will manage the implementation, coordinate with the vendor, and drive adoption. You also need to involve key stakeholders, including an IT representative (for integrations) and, most importantly, a frontline technician to ensure the chosen system is practical for field use.

Step 2: Data Collection and Migration

This is often the most time-consuming step: gathering all your existing maintenance information to import into the new system. Start by auditing your current data and removing duplicate or obsolete assets, parts, or PMs before you import them. The rule is good data in, good data out.

Then, collect key information. You will typically gather and format data in spreadsheets for a bulk import. This includes:

• Asset Lists: A whole hierarchy of all equipment, including location, make, model, and serial number.

• Maintenance History: At least 12-24 months of past work orders, if available, to provide a baseline for failure analysis.

• Inventory: A complete list of all spare parts, quantities, and vendor information.

• PM Schedules: All recurring maintenance tasks, their frequency, and associated checklists.

Step 3: System Configuration and Customization

Define permissions, user roles, and access levels. A manager will need full access to reports and settings, a technician will just need to view and close their assigned work orders, and a requester (such as a machine operator) may only need permission to submit a new work request.

Then, configure your workflows.  You will customize the system to match your processes. This includes setting up work order types (e.g., electrical, safety, plumbing), priorities (e.g., high, medium, low), and automated notifications (e.g., notify the manager when a high-priority work order is created).

Step 4: Training and Onboarding

Even the best software will fail if no one knows how to use it. Training should be role-specific and ongoing even after adoption. 

• Managers (Admin Training): Train managers and supervisors first. They need to be power users who understand how to configure the system, create reports, and manage schedules.

• Technicians (End-User Training): This training should be practical and, ideally, mobile-first in approach. Focus on the core tasks they perform daily: how to receive a work order on their phone, how to log time, how to add photos, and how to close the task.

• Requesters: If applicable, show operators or other staff the simple process for submitting a work request.

Step 5: Go-Live and Post-Implementation Review

Go-live refers to the day you officially transition to the new CMMS.

• Start with a Pilot (Optional): Many organizations choose to pilot the CMMS in a specific area or with a single team first. This allows you to identify and address any workflow gaps in a controlled environment before implementing a full-scale rollout.

• Go-Live: Announce the official switch-over. For the first few weeks, provide always-on support to help users with any questions that arise.

• Monitor and Gather Feedback: The work is not done at go-live. In the first 30-90 days, monitor your adoption KPIs. Are technicians logging their work? Are PMs being completed on time? Gather feedback from your team to identify and refine any workflows that are causing friction.

Common CMMS Implementation Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)

Implementing a CMMS can fail due to several common hurdles, often related to people, data, and planning. Anticipating these challenges is the first step to ensuring a smooth rollout and high adoption. Here are common CMMS implementation challenges and how to overcome them. 

Low user adoption 

Technicians may find the software too complex or clunky, especially if they are not tech-savvy. Overcome this by choosing a mobile-first platform designed for ease of use and supporting it with strong onboarding and in-app guidance.

Poor data quality

Migrating data from spreadsheets or legacy systems often introduces errors. Overcome this by using modern tools, such as UpKeep Intelligence's Smart Data Cleanup feature, to help standardize and clean data during the import process.

Lack of executive buy-in

Maintenance is often viewed as a cost center, making it difficult to prove ROI to leadership. Overcome this by selecting a CMMS with robust reporting that tracks KPIs like asset uptime, MTTR, and MTBF, providing easy-to-export reports for the C-suite.

Poor planning

A lengthy and drawn-out implementation loses momentum, creating frustration. Overcome this by choosing a system built for speed. Modern platforms can get most teams live within weeks, not months.

Over-customization

Making the software overly complex can render it rigid and difficult to use. This resembles the bureaucratic, old-school enterprise software you are trying to replace. Overcome this by prioritizing simplicity and focusing on core functions that address your primary problems first.

Understanding CMMS Costs and Pricing Models

CMMS pricing structures vary significantly between modern SaaS providers and legacy enterprise tools. Understanding these models and potential hidden costs is crucial for navigating common objections, such as the solution being too expensive or requiring too much time to set up. 

Subscription (Software as a Service)

This is the standard for modern, cloud-based platforms. This model often includes discounts for annual commitments or larger teams.

• How it works: You pay a recurring fee, typically per user, per month. For example, a plan might cost $45 per user, per month.

• Pros: This model offers lower upfront costs, includes automatic software updates and support, and is highly scalable—you can easily add or remove users as your team evolves.

• Cons: The long-term subscription costs can add up over many years.

Legacy Enterprise Models (Perpetual Licenses)

This is the traditional model, most common for on-premise systems. 

• How it works: You pay a large, one-time fee to purchase and own the software license indefinitely.

• Pros: You have full control over the software and data, which is hosted on your own servers. Over a very long period, it may be more cost-effective than a subscription.

• Cons: This model has a very high upfront cost. You are also responsible for all hardware, IT maintenance, and security. Updates and support almost always require an additional annual maintenance fee, which is often 10-20% of the original license cost.

Tiered Pricing

Most SaaS vendors structure their subscription plans in tiers, such as Basic, Pro, and Enterprise. Features are locked behind higher-priced plans.

• How it works: Companies choose a plan based on the features they need.

• Basic/Starter: This tier typically includes core features such as work orders and asset management, designed for small teams.

• Professional: This mid-level tier adds more advanced features, including preventive maintenance, inventory tracking, and enhanced reporting.

• Enterprise: This is the highest tier, encompassing all features. It also offers advanced capabilities, including API access for integrations, multi-site management, and dedicated support.

• Pros: This model allows for scalability. A small team can start with a cheaper, basic plan and upgrade as its needs become more complex. It can be cost-effective, as you only pay for the set of features you currently require.

• Cons: The primary downside is that key features may be locked in a more expensive tier. A company might only need one specific feature from the Pro plan, but will have to pay for the entire bundle to access it, which can be inefficient.

Other Costs to Consider

The sticker price is rarely the total cost of ownership. You must also budget for these everyday additional expenses:

• Implementation and Onboarding: This is a common, and often significant, one-time fee for setting up the system, configuring workflows, and migrating your data. 

• Training: While some vendors offer free web-based training, customized or on-site training for your team will incur additional costs.

• Support: Basic email support is often included, but premium, 24/7, or dedicated support will incur additional costs or be bundled only in the highest enterprise tiers.

• Customization & Integrations: If you need the CMMS to connect to your other systems (like an ERP or EAM) or require custom-built features, this will almost always involve additional development and integration fees.

Integrating CMMS into Sustainability

A CMMS plays a significant and direct role in helping organizations meet their environmental and sustainability goals. This shift has a direct impact on resource use, asset longevity, and regulatory compliance. A CMMS drives sustainability in several key ways:

Extending Asset Lifespan

A core feature of a CMMS is automating and tracking Preventive Maintenance (PM) schedules. Consistent, proactive maintenance improves equipment longevity, reducing the need for premature replacement and the associated waste from manufacturing and transporting new heavy equipment.

Minimizing Waste

Reactive maintenance leads to unplanned downtime, which often results in scrapped product, wasted materials, and inefficient restarts. Disorganized spare parts inventory also leads to overstocking, waste, and emergency parts orders, which have a larger carbon footprint. A CMMS tracks inventory and streamlines preventive maintenance to minimize both costs and downtime.

Reducing Energy Consumption

Poorly maintained equipment runs inefficiently and consumes more power. A CMMS tracks asset history and performance, enabling managers to identify underperforming assets and schedule maintenance, thereby reducing energy waste.

Ensuring Environmental Compliance

In heavily regulated industries, missed inspections can lead to fines and shutdowns. A CMMS like UpKeep provides audit-proof digital logs, ensuring critical PMs never slip through the cracks to maintain compliance with OSHA safety and environmental standards.

The Future of CMMS: What's Next?

According to a market analysis by Grand View Research, the future of CMMS technology is focused on moving maintenance from a reactive or scheduled state to a fully predictive and data-driven model. This evolution is driven by the integration of advanced technologies that provide real-time insights and automated intelligence. Here are some of the key trends shaping the future of CMMS.

Predictive Maintenance

This approach utilizes data-driven, AI-powered insights to predict failures before they occur, allowing teams to act based on real needs rather than a simple calendar.

Integration with IoT

Using sensors and meters on equipment to feed real-time performance data directly into the CMMS. This can automatically trigger alerts and work orders from sensors when any anomalies are detected.

AI and Machine Learning 

UpKeep Intelligence is an example of this trend, using AI for maintenance optimization and improving scheduling. This technology analyzes reports, generates suggestions, and powers predictive capabilities.

Augmented Reality (AR)

Future systems might allow technicians to use AR glasses or mobile devices to see digital work orders, asset history, or schematics overlaid directly onto the physical equipment they are servicing.

Frequently Asked Questions About CMMS

What happens to my data when it is stored in a CMMS?

When your data enters a CMMS, it becomes centralized in one place. The platform acts as a single source of truth for every asset, technician, and work order. This enables you to gain real-time visibility into your operations and utilize dashboards to identify overdue work. You can then track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as MTTR and MTBF, monitor work order completion data, and create easy-to-export reports for leadership or compliance audits.

How much asset information do I need to get started?

You can start with a minimal amount of data. The key is to begin tracking your assets and build your data over time. At a minimum, you will want to import your asset list (name and location) and any preventive maintenance (PM) schedules. You can add more detailed information, like maintenance history, manuals, and specific parts, as you go.

How can I be sure a CMMS will fit our specific maintenance needs?

A modern CMMS is built to be adaptable. The software should be scalable across multiple locations and offer features such as multi-site controls and role-based access. UpKeep, for example, allows you to customize dashboards and reports, serving a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, facilities management, property management, and healthcare.

Can I connect my CMMS to EAMs, ERPs, SCADA, and other systems?

Yes. Integrating with existing systems is a common requirement. Modern CMMS platforms, such as UpKeep, offer an open REST API and native integrations to connect with your existing ERP, SCADA, and reporting tools. Advanced features often include API access to communicate with these systems.

How long does It take to implement a CMMS?

While legacy enterprise CMMS tools are known for their lengthy onboarding processes, modern platforms are designed for speed. Most teams using UpKeep are live within one to two weeks. This is a significant contrast to complex rollouts, which can take 30 to 60 days, or older systems, which can take six months or more to implement.

What is the typical ROI for CMMS software?

Although many maintenance managers find it challenging to demonstrate their team's ROI to leadership, a CMMS provides the exact data to do so. Specific results from UpKeep clients show significant, measurable gains. For example, Unilever reduced downtime by 30% in one facility, and Marriott reported a decrease in maintenance costs. Furthermore, SMB and mid-market clients often report improvements of 40% to 60% in preventive maintenance compliance and task visibility within three months.

What is the biggest challenge when implementing a CMMS?

The biggest challenge is low user adoption. Many companies already have a CMMS that they dislike because technicians refuse to use it. This failure often occurs because the tool is too complex, is desktop-only, or the team is not considered tech-savvy. When technicians do not use the system, the data becomes incomplete and untrustworthy.

What systems can a CMMS program replace?

A CMMS is designed to replace inefficient, manual, and paper-based processes. This includes replacing physical paper records, spreadsheets like Excel, and physical whiteboards or clipboards. It also centralizes fragmented communication methods, such as text messages, paper notes, and hallway conversations.