For decades, the C-Suite has viewed Maintenance as a "Cost Center."
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The Tool: CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).
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The Goal: Minimize budget spend.
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The Result: Deferred maintenance, frequent breakdowns, and "Zombie Assets."
Today, forward-thinking CIOs and COOs are adopting Asset Operations Management (AOM). This philosophy views Maintenance as a "Profit Protector."
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The Tool: AOM Platform.
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The Goal: Maximize Asset Availability and Revenue.
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The Result: Data-driven decisions, predictive reliability, and unified teams.
If you are evaluating software to drive Digital Transformation, you don't want a better filing cabinet (CMMS). You want a better brain (AOM). Here are the 5 best platforms in 2026.
What is Asset Operations Management (AOM)?
AOM is the convergence of OT (Operational Technology) and IT (Information Technology).
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Unified Data: It breaks the silo between "Operations Data" (OEE, Scada) and "Maintenance Data" (Work Orders).
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Real-Time Intelligence: It moves from "Month-End Reports" to "Real-Time Dashboards."
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Technician Empowerment: It gives the frontline worker the same data visibility as the Plant Manager.
Top 5 Asset Operations Management (AOM) Platforms (Ranked)
1. Fabrico
Best For: Production-Centric AOM (Manufacturing).
The "Unified Intelligence" Advantage:
Fabrico defines the AOM category for manufacturers. Unlike competitors who started as simple ticketing systems and added analytics later, Fabrico was built from the ground up to integrate Machine Performance with Human Execution.
Why It Wins the C-Suite:
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True IT/OT Convergence: Fabrico connects directly to the PLC (OT Layer) to drive workflows in the Cloud (IT Layer). This eliminates the "Data Latency" that plagues legacy ERPs.
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Revenue Visibility: Because Fabrico tracks OEE natively, it can quantify the financial impact of every maintenance delay. It turns "Downtime Hours" into "Lost Revenue Dollars" on the dashboard.
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Visual Intelligence: The Inefficiencies Zoom-In feature (Computer Vision) provides indisputable root cause data, bridging the trust gap between Operations and Maintenance leadership.
Pros:
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Delivers "System of Intelligence" value with "Consumer App" usability.
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Scalable architecture fits both mid-market and enterprise groups.
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The only platform where OEE and Maintenance utilize a single, shared dataset.
Cons:

2. UpKeep
Best For: The AOM Pioneer (Facilities & Mixed Assets).
Overview:
UpKeep championed the term "Asset Operations Management." Their vision is to give Maintenance a "Seat at the table." Their platform is excellent for unifying Maintenance with Procurement and Finance.
Key AOM Features:
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Spend Intelligence: Deep analytics on where budget is leaking (Parts vs. Contractors vs. Labor).
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Lifecycle Management: Tracks asset valuation and depreciation in real-time.
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Ecosystem Integration: Connects with ERPs and IoT sensors to create a holistic view of asset health.
Pros:
Cons:
3. IBM Maximo Application Suite
Best For: Heavy Enterprise AI (Utilities/Energy).
Overview:
IBM Maximo is the grandfather of EAM, now reborn as an AOM powerhouse. It focuses on AI-Driven Reliability. Using IBM Watson, it analyzes massive datasets (vibration, acoustics, visual inspection) to predict failures in critical infrastructure like power grids or refineries.
Key AOM Features:
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Maximo Monitor: AI-driven anomaly detection.
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Maximo Visual Inspection: Uses computer vision to automate quality checks.
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Predictive Maintenance: Statistical modeling of asset life.
Pros:
Cons:
4. Fiix (Rockwell Automation)
Best For: The Connected Enterprise (Rockwell Shops).
Overview:
For companies standardized on Rockwell Automation hardware, Fiix provides the cloud layer for AOM. It serves as the bridge between the factory floor (FactoryTalk) and the business layer.
Key AOM Features:
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Asset Risk Predictor: Uses historical data to flag high-risk assets.
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Integration Hub: Pre-built connectors for most major enterprise software.
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Sustainability: Modules to track energy usage and carbon footprint alongside maintenance.
Pros:
Cons:
5. MaintainX
Best For: The Connected Workforce.
Overview:
MaintainX approaches AOM from the "People" side. They believe that if you connect the workers, the assets will follow. Their platform uses mobile technology to digitize workflows, audits, and communication, creating a real-time feed of operational activity.
Key AOM Features:
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Digital Audit Trails: Instant visibility into compliance.
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Resource Allocation: Live view of who is working on what.
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Operational Insight: Dashboards that track "Time to React" and "Compliance Rates."
Pros:
Cons:
Comparison Matrix: Strategic Capabilities
| Feature |
Fabrico |
UpKeep |
IBM Maximo |
Fiix |
MaintainX |
| AOM Focus |
Production Revenue |
Finance/Spend |
AI Reliability |
Hardware/Risk |
Workforce |
| IT/OT Convergence |
Native |
Sensor/IoT |
Advanced AI |
Rockwell Native |
Manual/API |
| OEE Integration |
Native |
No |
Custom |
Module |
No |
| Implementation |
Fast (Weeks) |
Fast (Weeks) |
Slow (Years) |
Medium |
Fast (Days) |
| Best For |
Modern Mfg |
Facilities/Finance |
Heavy Industry |
Enterprise |
Rapid Scale |
The "Data Latency" ROI
The difference between CMMS and AOM is Time.
Reducing Data Latency to zero allows executives to make decisions that save the quarter, not just explain the loss.
Conclusion
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If you need Heavy AI for critical infrastructure, choose IBM Maximo.
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If you need Financial Visibility for facilities, choose UpKeep.
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If you need Operational Intelligence that unifies Production and Maintenance to drive revenue in manufacturing, Fabrico is the best Asset Operations Management platform.
Upgrade from CMMS to AOM. Schedule a Strategic Demo with Fabrico.