Preventive vs Predictive Maintenance

There are many different types of maintenance in the field service industry. Two of the most frequently used are preventive maintenance and predictive maintenance. Both of these maintenance types aim to fix a problem before it arises. The main difference between preventive and predictive maintenance is that predictive maintenance is scheduled based on asset conditions and preventative maintenance is already built into a routine, so it is regularly scheduled.

Predictive maintenance is only performed when needed, therefore it reduces material costs and labor. However, to get started will cost more up front. This can be incredibly daunting to companies who worry about the cost and training that comes with change. But an investment in predictive maintenance may be what is best for your company.  Meanwhile, preventive maintenance has worked for companies this far. How will your field service company know when to make a change?

Before we can really understand the difference between these two maintenance methods and what is best for the field service industry,  it is important to understand what each maintenance type is holistically.