Featuring insights from Michele Mucia, Senior Director of Healthcare Solutions at Nuvolo For health systems, the right technology can empower facilities and clinical operations teams to work smarter, not harder. Whether you’re focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, managing medical assets, or master planning for future growth, selecting the right healthcare facilities software is crucial. Two common solutions in healthcare facility management are Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS). But what’s the difference, and which one is right for your organization? Here’s what you need to know to make the right choice for your hospital: What is a CMMS? A CMMS, like Nuvolo’s Maintenance and HTM Asset Management products, is designed to support the core needs of healthcare facilities and clinical engineering teams. Its primary focus is managing maintenance workflows and asset lifecycles, including: Work order management for corrective and preventative maintenance Asset tracking for both facility and clinical (biomedical) equipment Regulatory compliance documentation for Joint Commission, NFPA, CMS, and FDA requirements Inventory management of parts and materials Both facilities and clinical engineering (biomedical) teams rely on a CMMS to manage essential equipment—from boilers and chillers to infusion pumps and imaging devices. A robust CMMS ensures every asset is maintained on schedule and documented properly for compliance audits and inspections. What is an IWMS? An IWMS, like Nuvolo Connected Workplace, expands beyond maintenance to connect facilities, OT security, real estate, capital planning, and sustainability initiatives in a single system. Key capabilities include: Full CMMS functionality (work orders, asset management, compliance) Real estate and space management Capital planning and project management Energy consumption and sustainability support For larger healthcare systems managing complex real estate portfolios, planning future growth, or sustainability accreditation, an IWMS provides a single source of truth to align cross-functional teams and support strategic decisions. Selecting the Right Healthcare Facilities Software When a CMMS is the Right Choice: For most healthcare facilities and clinical engineering teams, a CMMS is essential. It ensures: Scheduled preventative maintenance Regulatory readiness Asset lifecycle management for facilities and clinical equipment Work order automation to reduce downtime If your organization’s primary need is to manage assets, meet compliance, and ensure patient safety, a CMMS provides the functionality you need. When to Consider an IWMS: For larger, integrated delivery networks (IDNs) or healthcare organizations facing complex growth, an IWMS adds value by: Aligning facilities, OT security, real estate, and capital teams Optimizing space utilization and occupancy Efficient capital planning & capital projects Tracking sustainable maintenance planning goals Providing data insights to support strategic decisions and communication Planning for Growth Many healthcare organizations start with a foundational CMMS to manage their maintenance and clinical engineering operations. However, as your hospital or health system expands, adding IWMS capabilities can provide better visibility and control over your full portfolio. With Nuvolo as your partner, you don’t have to choose one or the other—you can grow from CMMS to IWMS as your needs evolve. Final Thoughts: Choose What Aligns with Your Team’s Goals For healthcare facilities and clinical engineering teams, the CMMS vs. IWMS you choose must: Keep you compliant Support patient safety Deliver operational efficiency Provide room for growth Nuvolo helps health systems do exactly that—whether through our market-leading Maintenance and HTM Asset Management products (CMMS) or our full Connected Workplace for Healthcare (IWMS). Want to explore which option is right for your organization? Schedule a demo today. Share
