DirectLine Review: 2023 Ratings, Pros, & Cons
We like DirectLine’s intuitive interface, mobile app, and advanced reporting capabilities. This user-friendly CMMS offers both prepackaged and tailor-made reports for vital maintenance insights. We also found its mobile app helpful, providing task lists, customizable views, and time tracking.
DirectLine is not a good fit for those in the pharmaceutical and mining sectors. It also doesn’t have any support for tracking linear assets like pipelines or railway tracks.
Best for: DirectLine is best for 2,500 employees or 250 maintenance staff. There is a minimum requirement of 100 employees with at least ten maintenance staff. It caters to a wide range of industries, including manufacturers, universities, healthcare facilities, schools, and food and beverage processors.
- Use-friendly front-end experience
- Advanced reporting tools
- Intuitive mobile app
- Pricing requires consultation call
- Less effective for linear assets
- Not ideal for pharmaceuticals and mining
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Price Range
$ $ $ $ $$ $ $ $ $
- Starting Price $395/month
- Client OS iOS, Android, Web
- Deployment Cloud Hosted
What Is DirectLine?
DirectLine is a cloud-based CMMS software with a high level of customization and scalability. It features work order and project management, preventive maintenance planning, inventory control, and more modules. Companies can implement only the modules they need, and each user interacts with a different interface, depending on their role.
We sat down with a Megamation team member to evaluate DirectLine based on user-friendliness, functionality, and work order creation.
| Pros | Cons |
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Our Ratings
| Usability - 7 | May require navigating through multiple screens to complete certain tasks, but overall user-friendly and simple, especially for front-end users. |
| Support - 10 | Provides 24/7 phone and email support; offers extensive how-to videos on website; unlimited training and support included in monthly subscription. |
| Scalability - 10 | Robust API for easy data integration; extensive customizability; user-friendly mobile app compatible with Android, iOS, Windows Mobile, etc. |
| Security - 8.7 | Performs full backups daily and weekly backups of the last ten weeks using BrightStor ARCserve.; enables user group management to restrict user access to certain features, work order priority codes, etc.; user permissions could be more granular. |
| Value - 10 | Flexible pricing is customizable based on size and scope, concurrent desktop users, and named users for mobile access; monthly fee covers customization, configuration, unlimited support and training, upgrades, and implementation assistance. |
| Performance - 8.8 | Slight lag encountered when loading work order console, but software is responsive when moving from module to module. |
| Key Features - 7.8 | Offers preformatted reports and custom reports wizard; supports sophisticated ad hoc inquiries across various fields in the database; no support for linear assets; includes checklists and digital documents tied to equipment and work orders. |
Who Uses DirectLine?
DirectLine caters to a wide range of industries, including manufacturers, universities, healthcare facilities, schools, and food and beverage processors. It is a versatile CMMS solution suitable for smaller organizations with limited maintenance personnel and larger corporations with more extensive operations. While there is a minimum requirement of 100 employees with at least ten maintenance staff, DirectLine performs exceptionally well for around 2,500 employees or 250 maintenance staff.
Extensive Customizability
DirectLine’s customizability sets it apart as a powerful maintenance software solution. This allows seamless integration with existing systems and ensures that DirectLine adapts to the company’s established practices rather than forcing them to conform to the software. This flexibility enhances integration, optimizes maintenance operations, and results in a more efficient and user-friendly experience.
By tailoring DirectLine to their requirements, companies can optimize maintenance operations and enhance efficiency. They can create custom workflows that align with their unique business processes. Additionally, organizations can add new modules as their needs evolve or change over time. This adaptability ensures that DirectLine can grow alongside the company, accommodating emerging maintenance requirements and industry-specific demands.
Users can work with a system designed specifically for their needs, making their tasks more efficient and reducing the learning curve of adopting new software. This level of customization adds to the user experience, contributing to higher adoption rates and improved user engagement.
What Features Are Missing?
- Pharmaceutical support: DirectLine does not serve the pharmaceutical market due to specific regulatory requirements set by the FDA concerning signatures. Users in this industry should look for industry-specific solutions, such as Aptean Process Manufacturing ERP with its maintenance, repair and operations functionalities.
- Linear asset support: Linear assets, such as pipelines, railways, roads, or transmission lines, have unique characteristics and maintenance requirements. These assets often require specialized management and tracking, including linear referencing systems, spatial data, and linear work order management. DirectLine does not provide specific support for linear assets, making it challenging for some organizations to track, plan, and schedule maintenance activities effectively.
DirectLine Pricing
Megamation DirectLine operates on a subscription model. The monthly fee varies based on the size and scope of the application, the number of concurrent desktop users, and named users for mobile access. Pricing covers configuration, unlimited training, upgrades, and implementation assistance.
Work requester licenses are typically included for users needing to request maintenance work, report issues, or initiate service requests. Potential clients should contact Megamation directly for a tailored quote based on their needs.
Alternatives
Summary
We recommend DirectLine for its user-friendly UI, approachable mobile app, and customizable reporting capabilities. The streamlined front end ensures ease of use and efficient navigation. The mobile app offers convenient access to work orders, including features like priority and due date information, customizable item views, and the ability to add materials. Finally, the software features advanced reporting tools, including customizable reports and ad hoc inquiries.
However, DirectLine isn’t designed for the pharmaceuticals and mining industries. It also doesn’t have functionality for managing linear assets. Additionally, obtaining pricing and customization details requires a consultation quote, which might complicate decision-making.
Overall, we recommend DirectLine as a scalable solution for manufacturers, universities, healthcare systems, schools, and food and beverage providers. Its industry versatility, scalability, and tailored solutions make DirectLine a trusted partner in maintenance and operational effectiveness.
User Reviews of DirectLine
Overall it’s been going pretty well with DirectLine. They actually made quite a few change requests that we wanted to kind of match our needs. They’ve been really good that way. Their support staff has been working really well with us. It’s been pretty solid. It’s pricing is right within the ballpark where everyone else is.
Support
None
I have worked with several different CMMS systems in my 24 years of working in engineering and maintenance. This system is by far the best I have ever worked with. I love the new mobile system we deployed last year in our new packaging plant. All the technicians are using mobile phones to access their work schedule, write new work orders, check out parts from the crib, and complete their work orders. I cannot imagine a more efficient way to do business.
Megamation has become more important to me then email. I can track and quantify the work being done, where before all that information was just lost. Also their service team is world-class. If I encounter a problem I can typically get it corrected the same day if not while I am on the phone with the support department. This is really a multi-level, long-term solution for our work order and preventative maintenance needs.
