SAP provides various solutions for managing maintenance and asset management processes. Two of the best-known modules in this area are SAP Plant Maintenance (PM) and SAP Enterprise Asset Management (EAM). Although they are similar in many functions, there are some fundamental differences and specific application options. The following is a comparison of the two modules.

SAP Plant Maintenance (PM) is a module within the SAP ERP system that focuses primarily on the management and optimization of maintenance and repair processes. It offers functions for planning, executing and monitoring maintenance activities for technical systems and plants.

Main functions of SAP PM:

1. Manage technical objects:

   • Asset hierarchies and functional locations are documented and managed.
   • Equipment and machines are assigned and structured.

2. Create and manage work orders:

   • Planning, creation and tracking of maintenance orders.
   • Allocation of resources such as personnel, materials and tools.

3. Preventive maintenance:

   • Time and condition-based maintenance plans for planned and preventive maintenance measures.

4. Fault reports and inspections:

   • Recording and management of fault reports.
   • Implementation and documentation of inspections and maintenance measures.

5. Inventory and material management:

   • Management of spare parts and materials required for maintenance tasks.

6. Cost and time recording:

   • Recording of working hours and costs associated with maintenance jobs.

SAP Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) is a more comprehensive system that offers an extended suite of tools and functions for asset management. In addition to the traditional maintenance and servicing functions included in SAP PM, SAP EAM covers a broader spectrum, including strategic planning and optimization of the entire asset lifecycle.

Main functions of SAP EAM:

1. Advanced asset management capabilities:

   • Comprehensive management of physical assets throughout their lifecycle, from planning to operation and decommissioning.

2. Condition Monitoring und Predictive Maintenance:

   • Leverage IoT sensors and analytics to monitor asset health in real time and schedule predictive maintenance.

3. Advanced analytics and reporting:

   • Use of advanced analytics and reporting tools to evaluate and optimize asset performance.

4. Mobile solutions:

   • Support for mobile applications that enable field maintenance teams to capture data in real time and respond on demand.

5. Integration with other SAP modules:

   • Tight integration with SAP S/4HANA, SAP Leonardo and other SAP solutions to provide a holistic view of asset management and operational processes.

6. Strategic planning:

   • Support for strategic planning and decision making based on comprehensive data analysis and forecasting.

While SAP PM provides a robust module for managing maintenance and repair processes, SAP EAM goes a step further by providing a more comprehensive and strategic view of asset management. SAP EAM integrates advanced technologies and analytical tools to optimize the entire lifecycle of assets, while SAP PM is primarily focused on operational maintenance tasks. The choice between SAP PM and SAP EAM depends on a company's specific requirements and strategic goals.