Selection of an Inventory Management Solution for Maintenance operations: A Thematic Analysis and Multi-criteria Decision-Making Approach : A Case Study in a Swedish manufacturing company

Sammanfattning

This study investigates how a Swedish manufacturing company can improve spare parts inventory management through the implementation of a more suitable Inventory Management System (IMS) and Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) solution. The company currently experiences challenges related to inventory visibility, spare part traceability, and inefficient maintenance planning, which negatively affect operational efficiency and increase the risk of production stoppages. A qualitative case study approach was applied, combining semi-structured interviews, thematic analysis, and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods. Data was collected from employees with different operational roles within the company to identify functional and organizational requirements. Based on the identified requirements, several system alternatives were evaluated through a comparative assessment using the SMART method. The results indicate that improved system integration, traceability, and inventory visibility are critical factors for effective spare parts management. The evaluation identified clear differences between integration-based and replacement-based alternatives, where replacement-based systems demonstrated stronger capabilities in meeting the organization’s operational and strategic requirements, with Maintmaster identified as the recommended solution. The study further highlights the importance of organizational alignment, structure, standardized work processes and centralized inventory ownership as a prerequisite for successful system implementation. The findings contribute both practical recommendations for the case company and insights into IMS/CMMS selection within maintenance-intensive industries.