Best Enterprise asset management software: How to Choose the Right Tool?

Suppose a technician has visited to repair a critical piece of equipment. They discover that they don’t have the full service history, the right replacement part, or clarity on who to report to. The fix ends up being temporary. Operations slow down, safety risks rise, and costs quietly stack up.

Situations like this aren’t rare. They happen when teams don’t have the tools or information they need. That’s where Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software can make a difference.

EAM helps the people who do the work: maintenance crews, planners, operators, and managers. It keeps them aligned, efficient, and responsive.

Let’s explore what to look for in an EAM solution and how to choose the right fit for your business.

What is enterprise asset management software?

EAM software helps with physical and digital asset tracking. It takes into account everything from machinery on the factory floor to HVAC systems in office buildings. It brings all asset data into one place, so teams can monitor performance and schedule maintenance tasks. It also lets them plan ahead instead of reacting to last-minute issues.

Enterprise asset management software aligns IT and operations to reduce downtime and extend asset life. By providing real-time asset visibility and maintenance scheduling, it enables proactive decision-making that minimizes disruptions. This is critical for businesses where reliability and efficiency directly impact the bottom line.

What is the difference between EAM and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)?

While both EAM and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) support asset maintenance, EAM delivers a broader scope of functionality. CMMS primarily handles scheduling and tracking maintenance activities. In contrast, EAM covers the entire asset life cycle, including planning, procurement, compliance, and performance analytics. This makes it the preferred choice for enterprises managing extensive and diverse asset portfolios.

What are the key features of EAM software?

The following key features define the value EAM platforms bring to your organization:

• Asset lifecycle management: Track each asset from acquisition to disposal. Your EAM system centralizes data to help you plan capital investments, monitor usage, and extend asset life.

• Preventive and predictive maintenance: Move beyond reactive fixes and implement a maintenance strategy. Schedule maintenance based on usage patterns, sensor data, or AI-driven forecasts to reduce downtime and avoid costly failures.

• Inventory and spare parts management: Ensure the right parts are available when needed. EAM software solutions help you balance inventory levels, minimize waste, and avoid delays because of stockouts.

• Work order management: Streamline task assignments and execution. From scheduling to completion, your teams get real-time updates, ensuring accountability and efficient resolution.

• Mobile accessibility and cloud support: Empower your workforce with mobile access to asset data, work orders, and reports. Cloud-based platforms ensure secure, remote access and easy scalability.

• Real-time reporting and analytics: Gain actionable insights across your asset ecosystem. With customizable dashboards and performance metrics, you can make faster, smarter decisions aligned with operational goals.

What are the benefits of using EAM software?

Implementing the right EAM software transforms how you run your operations. By giving you real-time visibility and control, EAM directly impacts performance, maintenance costs, compliance, and decision-making.

Here’s a closer look at the most prominent benefits:

• Improved asset performance and uptime: The EAM software helps identify issues before they escalate and extend asset life. It helps minimize unplanned downtime and keeps operations running smoothly and efficiently.

• Reduced operational costs: Through optimized maintenance, inventory control, and resource allocation, EAM helps cut unnecessary expenses without compromising reliability or safety.

• Enhanced regulatory compliance: With built-in documentation, audit trails, and adherence to industry standards, EAM helps maintain compliance, especially in regulated environments.

• Better decision-making through data insights: With centralized data and real-time analytics, you gain the clarity to plan strategically.

• Streamlined maintenance operations: Automation of work orders, mobile accessibility, and predictive tools empower maintenance teams to act faster, boosting productivity and accountability.

Top enterprise asset management software in 2025

Here's a comparative overview of leading EAM solutions in 2025. The table highlights their strengths, limitations, and ideal use cases to assist you in making an informed decision.

1. Freshservice

Freshservice is an enterprise-grade IT asset management (ITAM) and EAM platform. It provides real-time visibility across on-premises, cloud, and SaaS assets. Enhanced with AI-driven automation, Freshservice helps reduce downtime, mitigate risks, and streamline IT operations.

Pros

• Real-time IT asset discovery and automated dependency mapping provide accurate visibility across on-premises, cloud, and SaaS environments. This helps reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency.

• AI-driven automation streamlines routine workflows and surfaces critical insights faster, enabling teams to focus on strategic decisions and accelerate problem resolution.

Cons

• Some advanced features require technical expertise for optimal use.

• Data retrieval can be slower in large or complex environments but is often manageable with proper setup.

What customers are saying

“After evaluating 2-3 options, we chose Freshservice, and it has proven to be a transformative tool in the way we manage IT operations, streamline asset management, and deliver an exceptional service to both internal employees and external customers.”

2. IBM Maximo

IBM Maximo Application Suite, powered by IBM watsonx, offers comprehensive asset lifecycle management with AI-enhanced workflows to speed decision-making and optimize operations.

IBM Maximo Application Suite, powered by IBM watsonx, offers comprehensive asset lifecycle management. It also offers AI-enhanced workflows to speed decision-making and optimize operations.

Pros

• Work Order Intelligence helps detect missing information, surface recurring issues, and recommend the next best action.

• Tracks Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) spare parts inventory levels, usage trends, and stock availability.

Cons

• Deployment may be complex.

• Mobile app and UI require improvements to avoid crashes.

What customers are saying

“Maximo's most valuable feature is its work order management feature and you can also customize the inventory module by adding as much information as you like.”

3. SAP EAM

SAP EAM transforms asset performance by shifting from reactive to proactive strategies to boost reliability and team productivity.

Pros 

• Facilitates collaboration across OEMs, suppliers, and operators.

• Offers mobile field service with offline capabilities.

Cons

• It can be complex and time-consuming to customize it.

• Outdated UI/UX.

What customers are saying

"I think that SAP made it easy to pull data since it has the capability to do it in bulk amounts."

4. Oracle EAM

Oracle’s enterprise-grade EAM solution supports condition-based maintenance, optimized asset performance, and compliance with global standards. 

Pros 

• Boosts supervisor productivity with full visibility into assets, work orders, and inventory across departments.

• Oracle E-Business Suite Information Discovery for Enterprise Asset Management increases asset use via detailed insights into asset costs, failures, and other real-time issues.

Cons 

• Requires specialized skillsets to manage advanced configurations and controls.

• Data retrieval processes can be slower than expected in complex deployments.

What customers are saying

"Well thought out dashboard that helps you navigate to the given task quickly. UI has been well thought out for this product."

5. IFS Cloud

IFS offers robust EAM capabilities tailored to industrial, fleet, and healthcare environments, with strong links to safety and operational systems.

Pros 

• Real-time analytics reduce downtime, improve resource allocation, and support predictive maintenance.

• Purpose-built modules for aviation, warehousing, and healthcare assets.

Cons 

• Limited depth in financial reporting features.

• Implementation and ongoing management can be resource-intensive.

What customers are saying

“IFS modern and intuitive product, the user interface is excellent and is easily configurable to meet a business’ needs.”

6. UpKeep

UpKeep is an Asset Operations Management platform. It gives maintenance and reliability teams the tools to streamline tasks and extend asset lifecycles.

Pros 

• Cloud-backed insights across facilities for smarter, data-driven operational decision-making.

• Workflow automation balances task loads, minimizes downtime, and simplifies preventive maintenance.

Cons

• The inventory module offers limited customization.

• Mobile app can be prone to crashes and performance issues.

What customers are saying

"Upkeep allows our team to organize, calendar, and document requests and subsequent work with minimal effort. Our team is able to show our larger organization what we are doing behind the scenes."

7. Fiix

Fiix centralizes asset data — maintenance logs, costs, usage metrics — and automates scheduling and updates across multiple locations.

Pros 

• Easy-to-navigate drag-and-drop asset hierarchy.

• Real-time meter readings that simplify maintenance planning and usage tracking.

Cons 

• Interface may not be intuitive for new users.

• Custom reports and dashboards offer limited flexibility.

What customers are saying

"Fiix easily integrates with other systems and devices, providing real-time access and updates. Features like QR code and barcode reading, along with a service request portal, complete the range of functionalities that make the system an essential tool."

How to choose the best EAM software for your business

There are so many solutions providers to choose from. Among these, how will you find the best enterprise asset management software for your business? Look for the following when conducting EAM software comparison research:

• Scalability: Choose a solution that can grow with your asset base and evolving operational complexity.

• Integrations: Look for seamless compatibility with ERP, procurement, IoT, and other tools.

• Industry fit: Choose a platform built with your sector in mind, be it manufacturing, utilities, or facilities.

• Budget and total cost of ownership: Evaluate licensing, implementation, training, and support — not just the initial cost.

• User-friendliness: Prioritize a simple interface and mobile accessibility to improve team adoption and daily use.

• On-premise vs cloud-based: Go for cloud-based solutions if you desire quicker deployment and updates and on-premise if you have strict data control requirements.

• Vendor support and training: Keep an eye out for reliable onboarding, customer support, and training resources. These are essential for successful implementation and long-term value.

EAM software trends to watch

Your EAM system must scale and adapt as your asset infrastructure grows and operations become increasingly complex. New advancements are reshaping how organizations manage critical assets, minimize risk, and align daily operations with long-term goals. To build a stronger, more adaptable asset strategy, keep a close watch on the trends that are likely to shape enterprise asset management in 2025 and beyond.

AI and IoT integration

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are improving asset management by enabling predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring. AI analyzes vast amounts of data from IoT sensors to forecast potential equipment failures. This allows for proactive maintenance and minimizing unplanned downtime. 

Predictive maintenance and analytics

You don't need to schedule maintenance based on guesswork or fixed calendars. By analyzing how assets have performed over time, and how they’re behaving right now, teams can anticipate failures before they happen. This allows for smarter planning, longer asset life, and fewer surprises that slow down operations.

Mobile-first platforms

With the increasing need for on-the-go access, mobile-first EAM platforms are becoming essential. These platforms enable field technicians to access asset information remotely, log maintenance activities, and receive real-time updates from their mobile devices. This results in enhancing productivity and decision-making. 

Sustainability and ESG reporting features

Sustainability is central to how businesses operate and report performance. Modern EAM systems are evolving to help organizations meet environmental goals and regulatory demands. From tracking energy use and emissions to supporting audits and ESG reporting, these tools offer visibility into how asset operations impact the planet.

Why Freshservice is the right choice for modern EAM

With the right EAM software, assets become more than just spreadsheet entries. They become strategic drivers of business growth. Selecting the right platform means going deeper than checklists. It means selecting a system that sharpens decision-making, adapts to change, and creates real operational value.

Freshservice combines real-time IT asset discovery, automated dependency mapping, and AI-driven automation. This gives you complete visibility across on-prem, cloud, and SaaS environments. It also helps reduce downtime, streamline workflows, and accelerate problem resolution, empowering both leadership and frontline teams. It enables:

• Inventory management: You get a real-time, accurate inventory of all your IT assets for efficient service delivery.

• Cloud management: Freshservice offers a platform to centrally manage cloud assets across providers. It gives you full visibility and control to reduce sprawl and streamline provisioning within your EAM strategy.

• SaaS management: Gain insight into SaaS usage across your organization. This will help you eliminate waste, stay compliant, and manage digital assets smarter.

• Software asset management: Freshservice equips you with tools to easily track, evaluate, and optimize software usage enterprise-wide. It helps reduce licensing costs and ensures performance with automated discovery and identity integration.

• Contract management: Stay ahead of renewals, track vendor performance, and control software spend by managing contracts and licenses from a single, centralized view.

• AI and automation capabilities: Automate routine asset tasks and surface critical insights faster, so your team can focus on strategic asset decisions, not repetitive workflows.

• Extensive integration capabilities: Connect Freshservice seamlessly with your IT and business systems, creating a unified asset management ecosystem that works across departments and tools.

Freshservice equips your teams with the intelligence, automation, and visibility they need to stay ahead of the competitive curve. Freshservice is ideal for enterprises that don’t just want to keep up with change, but lead it. If you're ready to transform asset complexity into strategic clarity, Freshservice is the partner to help you get there.