EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Biomed Databases EME/Estates Database Opportunity

Estates are going to replace/update their database, and my EME dept needs to do the same, so we are going to join together.

I have the chance to get my say on what we choose. So far I have some details about software for EME Departments, but is there something that will suit Estates as well as us?

The Main points for the system have to be:

Job Management (inc. Helpdesk)
PPM schedules
Maintenance contracts
Labor management
Asset management (inc. Capital)
Stock control
Financial Management (inc. budgets)

Does anybody have any recommendations?

Philip

We use a system called Impact, it's used by the whole of our Facilities "empire" of which we are part.

It has Helpdesk and all the functions you seem to require.

It works to a degree, would I recommend it purely as an EBME system? No

I think we need a dedicated system to suit our needs but we have to look at "the big picture", or so I'm told.

It does have good points and may be worth a look if you have to have an "all singing and dancing" database.

The web page is www.impactxp.com and they are based in Wakefield (01924 200344)

I think it is quite expensive too, it is tailorable and "ever evolving" but there are systems such as provided by Barwick and also GE's Sophie system that may be worth investigating.

Good luck and keep us informed of what you find

I think your asking too much, certainly from any thing I've seen, to expect it to be all things to all men.
Our Estates have been using WIMS since the early 1900's but we have now moved on to Eclipse fm from HFC suppliers of WIMS.
At the moment it does certain items on your hit list with more modules on the way. It certainly is VFM easy to use and to look at and has been developed by people who know what Estates people need better than anyone, got to be worth a look at least. As I say we use Eclipse for the DEL staff of Estates and E-MAT from Barwick Systems for the Medical Technicians.(Horses for courses)
It's a real mine field.
Good luck

Yes it is a mine field.

Estates are using wims at the moment, and we have had a quick look at the new version, but as you say, its not developed at the moment.

I'll certanly let you all know what we decide.

Would there be any chance of visiting any sites that are willing to let us see the software in action?

Thanks for the input so far, I hope that there is more to come.

Phil.
I certainly have no reservation in recommending a look at E-MAT for the EBME side of things. www.barwicksystems.co.uk. I promise I do not have shares in the company.
They will let you download a 30 day trial, fully functional not a demo.
We liked it so much we bought the company well their software anyway.
There is no reason why it could not take care of your Estates Helpdesk but it is not geared towards LMS type timing, reconciliation, performance etc. but who knows if you dont ask you won't recieve. We found them very receptive when it came to adding on bits and pieces we wanted. (That didn't come from me OK)

Philip
We are going through the same process as you. Estates and EBME are both looking for a new database and we have looked at many systems which do most things but not everything everybody wants especially when I.T. and finance want the to use the same system. We looked at Archibus /FM10 from Mass Systems but the cost spiraled out of control as I.T. and Finance wanted a piece of the action.

We are currently looking at Planet fm from FDS Advanced Systems Ltd (Facilities & Maintenance Management Solutions) This is an Estates package but appears to be very adaptable to EBME It does everything you have asked for and the cost is much more acceptable. We are currently looking to Run Estates, EMBE, I.T. and Porters with this software.
Available modules some of which are included in the basic system.
Structure Module
Management Module
Help Desk Module
Planned Maintenance Module
Stores Management Module
Purchase Order Module
Projects Module
Resource Booking Module
Property Management Module
Intranet Module & E-Mail Interface
Mobile Data Collection

Additionally you can download work orders to Palm handheld PDA devices, Link to ACAD etc etc. They have experience of migrating data from old NHS Estates systems and have said they would not have problems migrating the data from our database.

From the Liturature I have Planet systems are used and implemented in more than 50 NHS trusts Yorkhill, Epsom & st. Helier and St. georges ordered Planet FM in March 2002.

Our rep is Mike Stevenson
Unit 2 Lansbury Estate
Knaphill
Woking
Surry
GU21 2EP
Tel 01483 481024
Fax 01483 486956

http://www.fdsltd.co.uk/

If anybody is using Planet FM I would welcome any feedback

We use EMAT purely for managing medical equipment and works very well. You are welcome a site visit. ring me on 01924 816074

Why do you want to get portering, IT, etc get mixed up with management of medical equipment. The reason is that you want to do it on cheap. It will fall flat on its face. Draw a chart of common areas for those departments and see what happens.
If you want to offer a professionsl service, which you must, in order to survive, need a dedicated database. We have all been there.

alex

Oracle, my counterparts, oracle. Bend it shape it any way you want it. Expensive Louis knows but, internet based & accessable from any internet PC. Tiz the dogs bitz my friends, the dogs bitz.

Louis III (Oracle fan)

RE: Planet FM.

The system was purchased quite a long time ago by Epsom & St Helier but isn't yet up & running.
It hasn't been trialed at all for EBME use here yet. I've had a brief look over Planet & it looks like a very nice Facilities Management package but may not be so good when it comes to portable appliances. I haven't been given access to a copy to load sample data and see what it really does.
We are currently still using Paradox for Windows. Paradox is an off the shelf package like Access, but I think more reliable. It actually works very well but isn't shiny and professional looking. (It cost £99 !) The main problem with it is that it doesn't do stats, unless I knock off for a month, learn to write SQL scripts and create some. As you may have noticed, the modern NHS worships stats.
I think a database should be a tool for work, not a replacement for it.
I'll let you know what Planet's like when its finally got working.

Marc

I agree with Marcel ! We're employed as Medical Equipment Technicians not software writers !
I know of departments where one member of staff has been employed full time for over two years writing software to do what a £99 package can do !
If people want to write software then they should be working in IT not EBME.