I have spent a fair amount of time recently on simplifying initial data migration ("loading up the system", if you like). TM can only import data from files in .csv format. But almost everyone these days must have access to the Excel spreadsheet program, which is able to save data ("Save As ...") to .csv files.

So your first step is to get existing data into a clean .xls spreadsheet. By "clean" I mean just rows and columns of plain data, without headers, footers, or any of the other fancy stuff that you can do in Excel.

In order that various internal datafiles can efficiently relate to each other, at its heart TM uses a certain amount of codes (equipment type codes, condition codes, job type codes, fault codes ... and such like), so "like-for-like" data migration from "legacy" data sources is not always as easy as it may sound. But I have tried to get the program itself to do most of the work! The next revision of TM should be available soon, and I'm hoping that (with the various improvements made) it will be a bit less daunting for the "first time user".

Other than that, if you already have your data available in .xls, and want to .zip up some files and send them to me as an email attachment, I would be happy to get them loaded into TM for you (my email address is given at my Profile). Then once the new revision is ready, I could get it to you "ready loaded", as it were. smile

Meanwhile, TM has its own PM scheduling routines that are quick and simple to use. A risk-based approach to PM may be selected as required or preferred. The system can schedule PM according to either:-

Code:

1) Equipment (PM Procedure No.)
2) PM group  (pre-defined Groups of Equipment) 
3) Month due (as set for each Equipment User)
4) Priority  (per pre-determined Risk Factors)
5) User      (location)

At present, TM makes no provision for importing "historical" PM data (dates, presumably) from other sources. Like just about everything else, this could be done ... but is this something that is really required? think

TM itself retains the last twenty PM dates (plus the tech's initials, hours taken, condition code, and Job No. - further details are held at the Job itself). It also dynamically forecasts the next eleven PM due dates!