Planned preventative maintenance is a proactive approach that involves scheduling regular inspections, servicing, and repairs to prevent equipment failure before it happens. Instead of waiting for a system to break down and reacting to the chaos, planned preventative maintenance takes a systematic approach to keeping your equipment and systems in top condition.
Think of it like servicing your car. You don't wait for the engine to seize before changing the oil; you follow a schedule to keep it running smoothly. The same principle applies to your business systems, from CCTV cameras and access control panels to network infrastructure.
I'm Dave Symons, Managing Director at DASH Symons Group. With over 16 years of experience building and maintaining integrated security systems, I've seen how preventative maintenance transforms a business from constantly reacting to problems to having predictable, well-managed systems. Our approach, known as a DASH Care Plan (or DCP) has helped countless clients avoid costly emergency repairs while extending the life of their critical systems.
At its core, a DASH Care Plan (DCP) is a forward-thinking process designed to prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensure efficient, safe operation. It is the opposite of reactive maintenance, where you only fix things once they've already failed. It involves scheduled tasks like cleaning, testing, calibrating, and replacing components before they wear out.
While a DCP is a type of 'planned maintenance', its specific focus is on preventing failure through regular, scheduled servicing.
The choice between proactive and reactive maintenance has a big impact on your finances, operations, and safety. The benefits of a DASH Care Plan are compelling.
Reduced Downtime and Significant Cost Savings: Unplanned downtime is incredibly expensive. As a stark example, a major Facebook outage in 2021 cost the company an estimated $100 million in revenue in just a few hours. By identifying issues before they escalate, planned preventative maintenance minimises these disruptions. In fact, a US Department of Energy study shows scheduled servicing can reduce maintenance costs by 12-18%, as emergency repairs are typically far more expensive than planned work.
Extended Equipment Life: Regular servicing extends the lifespan of your equipment, helping you get the most value from your investment and putting off expensive replacements. By keeping components clean, lubricated, and calibrated, you prevent premature wear and tear, keeping systems running well for longer.
Improved Safety and Budget Predictability: A well-maintained system is a safer system. Proactive maintenance addresses potential issues and helps ensure you comply with safety regulations for security and electrical systems. It also turns your maintenance budget from an unpredictable cost into a planned, manageable expense, giving you more control over your finances.
Building a successful Planned Preventative Maintenance program doesn't have to be overwhelming. At DASH Symons Group, we help clients transform their maintenance from chaotic firefighting to smooth, predictable operations by taking control of their equipment's future.
An effective DASH Care Plan (DCP) program is built on a few core components:
Most critical operational systems benefit from a DASH Care Plan, including:
We guide clients through a straightforward, scalable process:
Step 1: List & Prioritise Your Equipment. Make a list of all your critical equipment. Then, rank each item based on how much a failure would affect your business. Start with the highest-priority items to manage costs and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Step 2: Define Tasks & Frequency. For each piece of equipment, we create a clear checklist of maintenance tasks and establish a realistic schedule based on manufacturer recommendations and our experience.
Step 3: Assign Roles & Document. Decide who is responsible for each task—whether internal staff or a trusted provider like us—and implement a solid system for documenting all work.
Step 4: Review & Adjust. Preventative maintenance is a living process. We regularly review maintenance data to see what's working and what needs attention. We then use this information to fine-tune schedules, preventing both under-maintaining (failures) and over-maintaining (wasted resources).
Managing a preventative maintenance program with spreadsheets is unnecessarily complicated. Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) are the backbone of efficient maintenance.
These software platforms provide:
CMMS technology improves accuracy and standardises processes, with some systems increasing equipment inventory accuracy up to 98%. At DASH Symons Group, we will help you to manage your systems effectively, using this technology to provide clear reports and ensure you get the most value from your systems.
An effective Planned Preventative Maintenance program is an investment, and you should see a clear return. Measuring how well your preventative maintenance plan is working is key to showing its value and making improvements.
Measuring the return on your DASH Care Plan investment involves tracking key signs that show both direct savings and other benefits.
Key indicators of a successful program include:
Improved Reliability: You'll see a clear increase in Equipment Uptime (the time your systems are running properly) and a longer Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), meaning breakdowns happen less often. You'll also notice your maintenance spending shifts from expensive reactive repairs to predictable planned costs.
Reduced Emergency Calls: A noticeable drop in urgent, unplanned service requests is a tangible sign that your maintenance plan is working, saving you stress, disruption, and money.
Lower Repair Costs: Catching minor issues early prevents the major failures and large repair bills that come with them.
Longer Equipment Lifespan: Getting more life out of your equipment puts off the need to buy expensive new replacements. Studies show scheduled preventative maintenance can prolong equipment life for 78% of users.
Smoother Operations: When your systems run smoothly, your business becomes more predictable and efficient, letting you focus on what you do best.
At DASH Symons Group, we partner with you for long-term reliability. Our Programmed Maintenance Services are designed to provide peace of mind, ensuring your critical systems always perform at their best.
If you’re ready to move from reactive firefighting to a proactive, cost-effective approach to maintenance, we’re here to help. Contact us for a consultation today and let's discuss how a DASH Care Plan can benefit your business.
