Meter or Gauge Based Maintenance Scheduling – Perhaps the most accurate way to schedule predefined inspections, lubrication, lubricant changes, adjustments and T.C.C. (time compliant change), with respect to wear components.

Meter or Gauge based scheduling unlike calendar based is Preventive Maintenance scheduling based upon the result of a trigger. The trigger could be one of the following:

  • Hour meter
  • Odometer
  • Cycle counter
  • Pressure reading + time component (for example the pressure was outside of by higher or lower a set point, for a predetermined time interval)
  • Temperature reading + time component (for example the temperature was outside of by higher or lower a set point for a predetermined time interval).
  • Flow reading is outside of a pre-determined set point


SOMAX considers meter or gauge based maintenance, Preventive or perhaps Predictive Maintenance, meaning it can be used with both preventive -maintenance or predictive maintenance strategies. It is however more complex and requires an additional step or action, which is the meter to be read, and in some cases calculations to be completed prior to the maintenance system generating a Preventive Maintenance Work Order. By using the SOMAX mobile App., the meter reading is completed using Q/R code, which identifies the meter, the user types in the meter reading and moves to the next location.

The scheduling as it applies to Preventive Maintenance through the use of Meter Based scheduling is removed from the user. The user during the system set up determines a frequency based upon the manufacturer’s recommended hours, or other set point, and when the set point or frequency is reached SOMAX generates the necessary tasks, lubrications and inspections that have been defined by the user, builds the necessary Preventive Maintenance work order, assigns the work order to the predefined technician, including all attachments, and transfers the work order to the work order scheduled table.


Meter and Gauge based advantages

  • Further simplifies the scheduling and planning the system does all the scheduling, if spares are attached to the process ordering is simplified
  • Costs are reduced as the maintenance is only requested based on the actual run time hours, miles driven or some other parameter, eliminating the wasted work orders for machines not operating
  • There are no initial startup costs for instrumentation, I.O.T devices, networking or PLC driven supervision of equipment.


Meter and Gauge based Disadvantages

  • Less reliable than PLC or I.O.T. fact based fault reporting and supervision
  • Additional labor costs for reading meters, however these additional costs are typically offset by lower labor costs due to eliminated redundant work orders generated by Calendar based systems.