Computer-aided maintenance management systems selection based on a fuzzy AHP approach

• Published in: Advances in engineering software (1992) Vol. 42; no. 10; pp. 821 - 829
• Main Author: Duran, Orlando
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2011
• Subjects: Analytic hierarchy process; Comparison of fuzzy numbers; Computer programs; Computerized maintenance management software; Coordinate measuring machines; Decisions; Fuzzy-AHP; Maintenance management; Markets; Methodology; Prototypes; Software; Software selection; Triangular fuzzy numbers; Computerized maintenance management software; Triangular fuzzy numbers; Software selection; Fuzzy-AHP; Comparison of fuzzy numbers; Analytic hierarchy process
• ISSN: 0965-9978
• DOI: 10.1016/j.advengsoft.2011.05.023

Computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) are common in today’s industries. CMMS can bring a large number of benefits, which include increased productivity, reduced costs, and effective utilization of the assets in any manufacturing and service producer. The list of CMMS that are available in the market has grown very rapidly during the last years. When purchasing a system, one that suits the specific needs and objectives of the company’s maintenance operations should be preferred. Several selection methods were proposed in literature. Up to now, no article has considered ambiguity and uncertainty factors when selecting effective CMMS. In addition, CMMS selection decisions involve the simultaneous consideration of multiple criteria, including tangible and intangible factors; prioritizing these factors can be a great challenge and a complex task. Therefore, no attempt has been made to incorporate fuzziness into multicriteria decision-making in the area of CMMS selection. This work proposes a fuzzy–based methodology for comparative evaluation of a number of CMMS alternatives. The proposal is based on the well-known multicriteria decision method called Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with triangular numbers. An example is given to illustrate the proposed methodology. Finally, a software prototype for implementing this method was implemented. To illustrate and validate the proposed approach and the software prototype developed some details are presented and discussed.