10 Reasons to Switch From MP2

1. Avoid loss through new additional investment in outdated application The existing maintenance management application MP2 from Datastream is a mature application built with past technology that the vendor Datastream has positioned in maintenance-phase and at the end-of-life. Datastream stopped development improvements or updates for MP2 for some time now. Datastream has also announced that they will continue to offer technical support for a limited time only and at a constantly increasing cost per year as the user base declines [Some MP2 version users are now paying 80 -100% of the original purchase price in annual tech support fees]. Datastreams focus now has moved to the 7i Enterprise application suited for large, more-complex, often multi-million-dollar implementations. Before moving forward with any new efforts or training investment in CMMS, users should update MP2 to the Maintenance Connection software to form a more stable, better positioned for the future, more economical, and easier to use foundation to build from. 2. Advantages of Web-based Solution The Web architecture of Maintenance Connection enables users to access information stored in their application over any Internet or intranet connection. This gives everyone from the CEO to the plant manager a way to stay connected to every facet of operations. And, unlike Web-enabled software, which requires the purchase of software for each client computer and offers limited operating interactions, Web-architected products offer significant benefits reduced IT expenses, a foundation of continuous, consolidated technology, and rapid return on investment. In addition, Web architecture enables companies to create cross-enterprise visibility, allowing companies to share information between divisions, locations and systems. This flexibility helps to create greater efficiencies at the enterprise level rather than just on a group-only basis. Web-based applications like Maintenance Connection are widely proven to be more easily implemented, more cheaply supported and administered, more usable for end-users than legacy client server applications like MP2. 3. Better & Cheaper Mobile Tools Mobile makes it possible to download work assignments from the Maintenance Connection database using docking cradles or dialup and wireless connections, automating virtually every aspect of maintenance and data collection. In addition, Maintenance Connection Mobile allows users to create field-based work orders, use drill-down menus to retrieve detailed information about a piece of equipment, and capture actual wrench time as work occurs. For example, many industries need a tool that allows personnel to move from room to room or site to site and still be able to record what maintenance needs to be performed. Maintenance Connection Mobile gives users the ability to capture essential information on the move for optimal performance. Maintenance Connection Mobile frees users from a fixed terminal giving them time to care for equipment, look for problems, perform maintenance, and verify performance while carrying a hand-held device to generate and record jobs from the field. The Mobile tools for MP2 are limited and like the base application, have not been updated in function or technologyand since what is available is based on older technology, the hardware devices required are more involved, more complicated and more costly. 4. Integration & Web Services Savings & Simplification Integration Integration refers to connecting the CMMS application to the companies other business systems such as the Accounting System, or PLC/plant control systems. In short, integration typically requires an integration software tool and services. Datastream charges additional for their integration tools and has an extensive services plan to perform integrations. Maintenance Connection includes an open system Microsoft integration approach at no charge and the technical services to complete the integration are more mainstream and less costly. Most users stated the need for integration to accounting and often plant control systems---any integration performed for MP2 will be more costly upfront and also lock users into the app until end of lifewhich may not be long enough to even recoup investment. MP2 financials integrations from Datastream often cost an additional $50,000 to $100,000 or more.

10 Reasons to Switch From MP2

Web Services While not always important in the earliest stages of implementation, web services is an important new technology that has become a mainstream forward-looking requirement. For increased flexibility in integration and implementation, web services toolkits can easily link central enterprise systems and expose real-time critical asset management functionality using familiar applications. The web services gives companies an extensive roadmap for creating business processes that are suitable to their specific environmentswhich may be through Microsoft Excel, a portal, or an intranet site. In sum, Datastream MP2 does not and cannot provide web services toolkit. Maintenance Connection leverages Microsoft web services at no additional charge. 5. Improved Usability Maintenance Connection offers functionality with user-driven configurability and personalization. Maintenance Connection uses an intuitive web-driven, drag and drop and WYSIWYG interface that users can quickly learn and leverage. MP2, on the other hand, is built in older menu-driven, click in-click back out-back in type interface that requires more training, is less intuitive and will always be driven by clicks in-out & typing. Maintenance Connection personalization capabilities also will allow each user and group to configure the application specific to their role and responsibility for real world usability. Maintenance Connection also includes a separate, simplified interface designed specifically for the Maintenance Technician users. 6. Lower Cost & Complexity of Internal IT Support As a legacy client server application, MP2 requires database-side and client-side supportincluding IT support and admin at each client workstation. Oracle databases have typically been proven to be more costly to support that MS SQL Server. Maintenance Connection leverages the lower cost and simpler support of Microsoft SQL Server on the database side and since it is a full web application, there is no software installed on any client and therefore requires no client side support or efforts. Maintenance Connection also includes an optional runtime version of Microsoft SQL Server database at no additional chargein case Potomac does not currently own a full MSSQL license. Also, MP2 Oracle users should explore the specifics of Datastreams plan to hand the standard Oracle upgradesMP2 was designed to operate on Oracle 8i or 9i databaseswhich are now past-tense versions by Oracle standards. 7. Dashboard with Summary, Matrix, & KPIs Maintenance Connection includes a versatile homepage with a Summary Inbox, Key Performance Indicators (KPI's), and Performance Matrix. The Summary Inbox is a user-defined "to do" list that provides up-to-date information about pending tasks such as backlogged work orders or purchase requests. Providing instant access, the inbox quickly shows the tasks that need to be completed. Through KPI's, users define and monitor key asset performance indicators, such as equipment failures, backlog work, inventory on-hand values or stock-outs without having to run reports. Using dashboard gauges, KPI's provide a snapshot of how assets are performing compared to user-defined benchmarks. The Performance Matrix tracks and notifies users of worst-offenders and best-performers in key operational areas. Datastream MP2 does not offer any dashboard or performance reporting functions. 8. True Multiple Site & Multiple Division Capable Maintenance Connection can manage multiple entities with one database and apply security settings to determine a users access. Each site within the organization is able to view and edit its own data while still forming a collaborative environment that permits users across physical boundaries to share common data.

10 Reasons to Switch From MP2

9. Improved Reporting Maintenance Connection improved reporting includes RolloutMaintenance Connection Reporting can be easily deployed across the organization and users can easily create ad-hoc reports. Web architecture provides anytime access to users throughout the enterprise. Complete User CoverageThe familiar browser-based user interface encourages user adoption, leading to increased productivity. And both the interface and level of reports can be tailored to all user levelsfrom novice to advanced. Report DesignUsers are in control of the report design, including report layout and conditional formatting. Reports can be saved by user, group, or enterprise to be reused. A common thread MP2 users state is some level of frustration with MP2 reporting; Maintenance Connection reporting is simply easier and more flexible. 10. Lower Cost of Annual Support In a sample customer, Datastream MP2 support fees for five (5) SQL/Oracle MP2 users were approximately $6000 annually. And Datastream has stated that technical support for MP2 will continue to increase as the user base declines. For comparison, technical support for five 5 Maintenance Connection users would be $1875 annuallyMaintenance Connection annual support is only 15% of total software. And Maintenance Connection will be less expensive to support for admin and database tools also.