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2000 "Maintenance and the Internet" Survey Results
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Plant Maintenance Resource Center
Overview
This survey of Internet usage by Maintenance professionals was conducted on the Plant Maintenance Resource Center website between March and June 2000. The survey highlights some interesting findings, which will form the basis for later, comparative surveys in future years.
Summary of Key Findings
Voluntary (and confidential) responses were sought to the survey, and 61 valid responses were received from a wide range of individuals working across a variety of industries.
The key findings are:
- More than one third of respondents had spent, on average, US$1,700 on goods and services purchased via the internet during the preceding three months
- Almost half of respondents considered that information gathered via the Internet had significantly influenced purchase decisions taken during the preceding three months. The average value of purchases influenced during this period was around US$9,000.
- E-mail is the most frequent, and time-consuming use of the Internet, with over 90% of respondents having Internet e-mail access at work and at home, and reading and responding to E-mail consuming, on average, around 3.7 hours per week.
- World-wide web access is highly prevalent, both at work and at home
- The most common use of the internet is seeking information - mainly articles on Maintenance, and information on products and suppliers
- General search engines, such as Altavista, Hotbot etc., and personal Favorites/Bookmarks are the most commonly used means of locating information on the web. Surprisingly, Printed Journals are also frequently found to be useful in locating valuable information on the Internet.
Respondent Data
Of the 61 valid responses, nearly half were based in the USA, with Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom also well represented.
| Country |
Responses |
% of Total |
| United States | 30 | 49.2% |
| Australia | 5 | 8.2% |
| Canada | 5 | 8.2% |
| United Kingdom | 4 | 6.6% |
| India | 3 | 4.9% |
| Croatia | 2 | 3.3% |
| Brazil | 1 | 1.6% |
| Finland | 1 | 1.6% |
| New Zealand | 1 | 1.6% |
| South Africa | 1 | 1.6% |
| Sweden | 1 | 1.6% |
| Other | 7 | 11.5% |
Respondents came from a wide range of industries.
| Industry |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Manufacturing: Food, beverages, tobacco | 6 | 9.8% |
| Manufacturing: Metal products | 5 | 8.2% |
| Services: Education/Academia | 4 | 6.6% |
| Manufacturing: Petroleum refining, chemicals and associated products | 4 | 6.6% |
| Services: Business Services/Consulting | 4 | 6.6% |
| Services: Property services/Building Maintenance | 4 | 6.6% |
| Services: Software Development/Sales | 4 | 6.6% |
| Manufacturing: Non-metallic mineral processing | 3 | 4.9% |
| Services: Transport | 3 | 4.9% |
| Utilities: Electricity Generation | 3 | 4.9% |
| Manufacturing: Wood and paper products | 3 | 4.9% |
| Services: Contract Maintenance/Repairs | 2 | 3.3% |
| Services: Healthcare | 2 | 3.3% |
| Manufacturing: Other | 2 | 3.3% |
| Services: Research & Development | 2 | 3.3% |
| Utilities: Electricity Transmission and Distribution | 1 | 1.6% |
| Manufacturing: Textiles, clothing, footwear, leather | 1 | 1.6% |
| Oil and Gas: Oil and gas extraction | 1 | 1.6% |
| Trade: Retail | 1 | 1.6% |
| Utilities: Water, sewerage, drainage | 1 | 1.6% |
| Services: Other | 1 | 1.6% |
| Mining: Coal | 1 | 1.6% |
| Other | 3 | 4.9% |
Maintenance line management positions and Maintenance Engineering positions were well represented in the survey.
| Position |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Maintenance Manager/Superintendent |
15 |
24.6% |
| Plant/Maintenance Engineer |
8 |
13.1% |
| Maintenance Foreman/Supervisor |
5 |
8.2% |
| CEO/Managing Director |
4 |
6.6% |
| Maintenance Crafts/Tradesperson |
3 |
4.9% |
| Maintenance Technician |
3 |
4.9% |
| Teacher/Academic |
3 |
4.9% |
| Reliability Engineer |
2 |
3.3% |
| Maintenance Planner |
2 |
3.3% |
| Marketing/Business Development/Sales Manager |
1 |
1.6% |
| Process/Industrial Engineer |
1 |
1.6% |
| Research Technician |
1 |
1.6% |
| Consulting Manager |
1 |
1.6% |
| Consulting Engineer |
1 |
1.6% |
| Computer/IT Consultant |
1 |
1.6% |
| Other |
10 |
16.4% |
Respondents generally came from larger and medium sized organisations.
| No of Trades/Craftspeople |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Large(more than 100 crafts/tradespeople) | 28 | 45.9% |
| Medium(10 to 100 crafts/tradespeople) | 22 | 36.1% |
| Small(less than 10 crafts/tradespeople) | 11 | 18.0% |
Detailed Results
Internet E-mail usageE-mail was clearly the most used Internet feature, both at home and at work. Based on the survey results, it would appear that, on average, respondents spend over 3.5 hours per week reading and responding to Internet e-mail. Is this a productive use of their time?
Access to Internet E-mail
| |
At Work |
At Home |
| Access to Internet E-mail |
Responses |
% of Total |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Yes |
56 |
91.8% |
57 |
93.4% |
| No |
3 |
4.9% |
3 |
4.9% |
| Don't Know |
1 |
1.6% |
|
|
| N/A |
1 |
1.6% |
1 |
1.6% |
Frequency of E-mail Use
| Frequency of E-mail Use |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Daily | 42 | 68.9% |
| Weekly | 10 | 16.4% |
| Monthly | 3 | 4.9% |
| Occasionally | 3 | 4.9% |
| Never | 1 | 1.6% |
| N/A | 2 | 3.3% |
Hours per week spent reading and responding to Internet E-mail
| Hours |
Responses |
% of Total |
| 0 | 1 | 1.6% |
| 0-1 | 11 | 18.0% |
| 1-2 | 13 | 21.3% |
| 2-5 | 22 | 36.1% |
| 5-10 | 9 | 14.8% |
| >10 | 3 | 4.9% |
| N/A | 2 | 3.3% |
World-wide Web usage
The World-wide Web was also extensively used, and available both at home and at work.
Access to WWW
| |
At Work |
At Home |
| Access to WWW |
Responses |
% of Total |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Yes |
57 |
93.4% |
57 |
93.4% |
| No |
3 |
4.9% |
3 |
4.9% |
| N/A |
1 |
1.6% |
1 |
1.6% |
Frequency of WWW Use
| Frequency of WWW Use |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Daily | 38 | 62.3% |
| Weekly | 11 | 18.0% |
| Monthly | 1 | 1.6% |
| Occasionally | 6 | 9.8% |
| Never | 2 | 3.3% |
| N/A | 3 | 4.9% |
Internet Chat/Netmeeting
Although Internet Chat/Netmeeting functionality is available - particularly at home - it is rarely used for work purposes.
Access to Internet Chat/Netmeeting
| |
At Work |
At Home |
| Access to Internet Chat/Netmeeting |
Responses |
% of Total |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Yes |
28 |
45.9% |
48 |
78.7% |
| No |
15 |
24.6% |
5 |
8.2% |
| Don't Know |
7 |
11.5% |
1 |
1.6% |
| N/A |
11 |
18.0% |
7 |
11.5% |
Frequency of Internet Chat/Netmeeting Use
| Frequency of Internet Chat/Netmeeting Use |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Daily | 1 | 1.6% |
| Weekly | 5 | 8.2% |
| Monthly | 1 | 1.6% |
| Occasionally | 9 | 14.8% |
| Never | 35 | 57.4% |
| N/A | 10 | 16.4% |
Popular Uses of the Internet
Searching for information - particularly Maintenance articles, and information regarding products and suppliers - appears to be among the most popular uses of the Internet.
Hours per week spent reading and participating in Discussion Forums
| Hours |
Responses |
% of Total |
| 0 | 30 | 49.2% |
| 0-1 | 13 | 21.3% |
| 1-2 | 4 | 6.6% |
| 2-5 | 3 | 4.9% |
| 5-10 | 2 | 3.3% |
| >10 | 1 | 1.6% |
| N/A | 8 | 13.1% |
Hours per week spent finding and reading Maintenance articles
| Hours |
Responses |
% of Total |
| 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| 0-1 | 23 | 37.7% |
| 1-2 | 20 | 32.8% |
| 2-5 | 9 | 14.8% |
| 5-10 | 2 | 3.3% |
| >10 | 3 | 4.9% |
| N/A | 4 | 6.6% |
Hours per week spent researching Products and Suppliers
| Hours |
Responses |
% of Total |
| 0 | 5 | 8.2% |
| 0-1 | 22 | 36.1% |
| 1-2 | 13 | 21.3% |
| 2-5 | 11 | 18.0% |
| 5-10 | 1 | 1.6% |
| >10 | 4 | 6.6% |
| N/A | 5 | 8.2% |
Hours per week spent researching Customers and Competitors
| Hours |
Responses |
% of Total |
| 0 | 22 | 36.1% |
| 0-1 | 15 | 24.6% |
| 1-2 | 8 | 13.1% |
| 2-5 | 2 | 3.3% |
| 5-10 | 4 | 6.6% |
| >10 | 1 | 1.6% |
| N/A | 9 | 14.8% |
Hours per week spent looking for work
| Hours |
Responses |
% of Total |
| 0 | 26 | 42.6% |
| 0-1 | 18 | 29.5% |
| 1-2 | 6 | 9.8% |
| 2-5 | 1 | 1.6% |
| 5-10 | 1 | 1.6% |
| >10 | 1 | 1.6% |
| N/A | 8 | 13.1% |
Hours per week spent on other Internet activities
| Hours |
Responses |
% of Total |
| 0 | 4 | 6.6% |
| 0-1 | 3 | 4.9% |
| 1-2 | 1 | 1.6% |
| 2-5 | 0 | 0.0% |
| 5-10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| >10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| N/A | 53 | 86.9% |
Finding information on the Internet
The most popular means of finding information on the internet is via personal favourites/bookmarks, and general Internet Search Engines. Next most popular is from Website Directories - both general and Maintenance-specific, via links from related websites, from direct e-mail, and from printed journals.
When looking for information on the internet, how useful do you find Search Engines
| Frequency |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Frequently | 41 | 67.2% |
| Occasionally | 14 | 23.0% |
| Rarely | 4 | 6.6% |
| Never | 1 | 1.6% |
| Don't Know | 0 | 0.0% |
| N/A | 1 | 1.6% |
When looking for information on the internet, how useful do you find Website Directories
| Frequency |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Frequently | 22 | 36.1% |
| Occasionally | 22 | 36.1% |
| Rarely | 12 | 19.7% |
| Never | 2 | 3.3% |
| Don't Know | 0 | 0.0% |
| N/A | 3 | 4.9% |
When looking for information on the internet, how useful do you find Maintenance Website Directories
| Frequency |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Frequently | 17 | 27.9% |
| Occasionally | 20 | 32.8% |
| Rarely | 12 | 19.7% |
| Never | 7 | 11.5% |
| Don't Know | 2 | 3.3% |
| N/A | 3 | 4.9% |
When looking for information on the internet, how useful do you find Favorites/Bookmarks
| Frequency |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Frequently | 29 | 47.5% |
| Occasionally | 21 | 34.4% |
| Rarely | 4 | 6.6% |
| Never | 2 | 3.3% |
| Don't Know | 2 | 3.3% |
| N/A | 3 | 4.9% |
When looking for information on the internet, how useful do you find Links from related websites
| Frequency |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Frequently | 17 | 27.9% |
| Occasionally | 29 | 47.5% |
| Rarely | 5 | 8.2% |
| Never | 3 | 4.9% |
| Don't Know | 2 | 3.3% |
| N/A | 5 | 8.2% |
When looking for information on the internet, how useful do you find Discussion Groups
| Frequency |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Frequently | 5 | 8.2% |
| Occasionally | 9 | 14.8% |
| Rarely | 22 | 36.1% |
| Never | 16 | 26.2% |
| Don't Know | 0 | 0.0% |
| N/A | 9 | 14.8% |
When looking for information on the internet, how useful do you find Usenet/Newsgroups
| Frequency |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Frequently | 3 | 4.9% |
| Occasionally | 8 | 13.1% |
| Rarely | 17 | 27.9% |
| Never | 24 | 39.3% |
| Don't Know | 0 | 0.0% |
| N/A | 9 | 14.8% |
When looking for information on the internet, how useful do you find Direct E-mail
| Frequency |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Frequently | 18 | 29.5% |
| Occasionally | 25 | 41.0% |
| Rarely | 9 | 14.8% |
| Never | 6 | 9.8% |
| Don't Know | 0 | 0.0% |
| N/A | 3 | 4.9% |
When looking for information on the internet, how useful do you find Direct Mail
| Frequency |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Frequently | 11 | 18.0% |
| Occasionally | 16 | 26.2% |
| Rarely | 20 | 32.8% |
| Never | 6 | 9.8% |
| Don't Know | 0 | 0.0% |
| N/A | 8 | 13.1% |
When looking for information on the internet, how useful do you find Printed Journals
| Frequency |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Frequently | 17 | 27.9% |
| Occasionally | 28 | 45.9% |
| Rarely | 10 | 16.4% |
| Never | 0 | 0.0% |
| Don't Know | 0 | 0.0% |
| N/A | 6 | 9.8% |
When looking for information on the internet, how useful do you find Advertising
| Frequency |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Frequently | 6 | 9.8% |
| Occasionally | 11 | 18.0% |
| Rarely | 25 | 41.0% |
| Never | 9 | 14.8% |
| Don't Know | 0 | 0.0% |
| N/A | 10 | 16.4% |
The Internet and E-commerce
In the preceding three months, over a third of respondents had directly purchased work-related goods or services over the Internet, and almost half considered that information gained via the Internet had significantly influenced a work-related purchase decision. The average value of work-related goods and services purchased directly via the Internet during the preceding three months was approximately US$1,700. The average value of work-related goods and services purchased where the purchase decision was significantly influenced by information gathered via the Internet during the preceding three months was approximately US$9,000.
In the past three months, have you purchased any work-related goods or services over the internet?
| |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Yes | 22 | 36.1% |
| No | 39 | 63.9% |
What is the approximate value of all the work-related goods or services that you have purchased over the Internet in the past three months?
| |
Responses |
% of Total |
| < US$100 | 7 | 11.5% |
| between US$100 and US$200 | 2 | 3.3% |
| between US$200 and US$500 | 1 | 1.6% |
| between US$500 and US$1,000 | 4 | 6.6% |
| between US$1,000 and US$2,000 | 1 | 1.6% |
| between US$2,000 and US$5,000 | 5 | 8.2% |
| between US$5,000 and US$10,000 | 2 | 3.3% |
| N/A | 39 | 63.9% |
In the past three months, have you purchased any work-related goods or services over the internet?
| |
Responses |
% of Total |
| Yes | 28 | 45.9% |
| No | 19 | 31.1% |
| Don't Know | 3 | 4.9% |
| N/A | 11 | 18.0% |
What is the approximate value of all the work-related goods or services that you have purchased over the Internet in the past three months?
| |
Responses |
% of Total |
| < US$100 | 6 | 9.8% |
| between US$100 and US$200 | 3 | 4.9% |
| between US$200 and US$500 | 2 | 3.3% |
| between US$500 and US$1,000 | 4 | 6.6% |
| between US$1,000 and US$2,000 | 4 | 6.6% |
| between US$2,000 and US$5,000 | 6 | 9.8% |
| between US$5,000 and US$10,000 | 0 | 0.0% |
| between US$10,000 and US$50,000 | 2 | 3.3% |
| between US$50,000 and US$100,000 | 0 | 0.0% |
| > US$100,000 | 1 | 1.6% |
| N/A | 39 | 63.9% |
Popular Websites
Respondents were asked to nominate up to three maintenance-related websites that they found valuable.
Besides this website (www.plant-maintenance.com) :-), other websites that received more than one nomination included:
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Plant Maintenance Resource Center 2000
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Revised: Thursday, 08-Oct-2015 11:53:33 AEDT
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