To use IMS9000, you begin by entering the machines you want to track. You give each machine a name, assign it to a site, enter an optional tracking number and other pertinent information such as manufacturer, part number, power source, and notes. You also tell the program whether an operator must have special training to use or maintain the machine. You must also set up, by clicking a button, the scheduling of inspections and maintenance by date or meter reading. Date intervals can be selected by a number of days, weeks, months, quarters of year, or years. Or, you can choose any appropriate type of meter (hour meter, flow meter, watt-hour meter, or odometer) and the number of units between inspections. When scheduling by meter, you must manually enter meter readings at regular intervals; and, when the reading is past due the software will flag the machine for service. The vendor and customer, for service providers, can also be stored. Sometimes operators are required to be trained before operating a machine. In this case training requirements can be linked, from the Training and Certification list, to the machine.

You get to the Machines screen either from the menu, from the Machines tab on the Activities screen, or by double clicking a machine name on the Summary screen. When creating a new machine, the Machine Name and Site are required fields. If the machine has an inventory number you can enter that in the Machine # field. Enter other pertinent information in each of the fields. Select the Manufacturer from the list. If the manufacturer has not been entered, you can add it by clicking the View button next to the manufacturer field and then the New Vendor button on the screen that comes up. The new manufacturer will not show up on the list until you exit and reopen the machine details screen. If you are a service provider and the machine belongs to a customer you can select them the same way you would a manufacturer. If the machine requires familiarization training, it can be added by clicking the View Familiarization Training button and selecting all the training tasks that apply. If the machine has a meter that will be used for scheduling inspections and maintenance, put a check in the "Use a meter..." checkbox by clicking on it, enter the meter type and units. To schedule inspections and maintenance, put a check in the "Schedule..." checkbox, enter the frequency units and interval, and last inspection date or meter reading. If you are using the meter for scheduling, select meter from the frequency list. When you are ready to add components to the machine click on the Edit Machine Components button. The View Familiarization Training button allows you to select training tasks required to operate or maintain the machine. The View Inspection Orders button will let you open past inspections. The View Maintenance and Repair Orders buttons are similar to the View Inspection Orders button. Copy a machine, including components and training, by clicking the Copy Machine button. Print out a copy of the machine's details and its components by clicking the View/Print button. Delete the machine and its components by clicking the button with the trashcan on it. Exit the screen by clicking on the button with the arrow pointing to the door.