Online network aims to solve maintenance problems

Published: 18 February, 2013

SKF has launched a Web site where maintenance professionals from around the world can make contact with each other to obtain advice and potential solutions to problems. Called the SKF Maintenance Network, the site is offering incentives to people who suggest answers to problems by rewarding them with points which they can use to obtain prizes from the network’s Web store. The site will also show a “leaderboard” of top problem-solvers.

The site includes discussion rooms where people can debate hot topics, as well as specific problems, and take advantage of expertise on maintenance issues. SKF plans to introduce hot topics where maintenance experts can post problems or help their peers. Once these issues have been resolved, the top solution providers will be announced and their suggestions will be stored in a database.

SKF expects the network to be particularly useful for companies that have implemented partial fixes that allow production to go on, but leave the real problem to be tackled at the next maintenance shutdown. By then, a long-lasting solution will be needed, and it is here that the new network might be able to help.