Datastream Software Helps Keep Griffith University on Track

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	Quick Facts Consists of six campuses Employs over 50 maintenance personnel Generates 60 work orders per day

Named after the Rt. Hon Sir Samuel Walker Griffith, the first Chief Justice of Australia, Griffith University has established itself over the past 28 years as a world-class institution. With six campuses and Australia's largest music school, the university boasts over 22,000 students and covers 746 acres. The university also houses the oldest art institution in the country and serves two cities, Brisbane and Logan, as well as the Gold Coast.

The Challenge
The maintenance department at Griffith University has 53 employees and handles the repair and replacement of existing facilities, entailing both corrective and preventive maintenance. The corrective maintenance requires work orders for repairs while preventive includes items such as the statutory maintenance of fire alarms, elevators, and air conditioning systems. The maintenance department also handles carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, mechanical services, and floor covering repair and replacement.

Previously, Griffith University used a maintenance management system that was developed in-house. With a growing operation, the university needed a more powerful system that allowed customization of their maintenance processes, an open architecture for system integration, and a good screen design for easy training and use. They were also looking for a software company with the experience and size to guarantee continued top-notch technical support, and they found their solution with Datastream.

The Solution
Griffith University chose Datastream's asset management software as the maintenance solution for their six sites. The Datastream solution utilizes an open architecture that enables the database to share information and functionally integrate with other software packages. With Datastream, Griffith University is able to analyze root cause failure, investigate equipment downtime, and identify hot maintenance spots.

In less than six months, Datastream's staff assisted with the implementation of the system by populating and configuring the database along with customizing reports. Using Datastream, Griffith University is able to produce precise plant-level reports and generate high-level corporate roll-up reports. Datastream consultants also worked with the university maintenance staff to train users to get the most out of their new asset management software.

The Results
Griffith University has 22 personnel using the software and processes over 60 work orders per day. The software organizes and expedites their maintenance operation by automating the work order process and assisting them with scheduling, project tracking, cost tracking, and the identification of problem areas. In addition, with customized reports designed by Datastream specifically for Griffith University, the maintenance crew now has an accurate picture of their operation, their areas of efficiency, and those areas that need more attention. They can also track their resources, such as labor time and costs, with greater accuracy.

In addition, Datastream software's flexibility allows Griffith University's maintenance staff to access their own work orders, eliminating the need for a third party to complete a work request. This saves time and allows their staff more time to concentration on actual maintenance tasks. Griffith University has been equally pleased with the technical support received from Datastream. A single point of contact has ensured optimum performance so that the university can continue to provide top-quality facilities for their students and faculty.