The latest Ultimo Maintenance Trend Report reveals how AI, machine learning, and digital twins are reshaping enterprise asset management (EAM), while emphasizing that human expertise remains critical to success. Based on a survey of over 200 maintenance professionals, the report highlights the growing adoption of advanced technologies alongside persistent workforce challenges.
AI, ML, and digital twins drive innovation in enterprise asset management.
Contextual intelligence (68%) and digital twins (40%) see sharp interest rise.
Aging workforce (63%) and recruitment issues (50%) challenge EAM strategies.
Lack of expertise hinders adoption of advanced EAM tools for 49% of firms.
AI-powered EAM shifts maintenance from reactive to proactive strategies.
Ultimo’s solutions lower barriers to AI adoption with no heavy infrastructure.
The 2025 Ultimo Maintenance Trend Report shows a surge in interest in next-generation technologies. Contextual intelligence, cited by 68% of respondents (up from 8% in 2023), leads as the most impactful innovation, followed by automation and robotics (49%), machine learning (41%), and digital twins (40%). These tools, powered by IoT and predictive analytics, enable real-time insights, transforming EAM into a strategic driver of efficiency and competitiveness.
Despite technological advancements, workforce issues remain a top concern. An aging workforce, noted by 63% of respondents, underscores the need for knowledge transfer and strategic planning. Additionally, 50% of professionals reported recruitment of experienced staff as their primary disruption, highlighting the human element’s critical role in effective asset maintenance.
Modern EAM systems have evolved into engines of foresight, leveraging AI and maintenance data to deliver actionable insights. "From global instability to changing regulations, socio-economic and political shifts are creating uncertainty across industries. In this environment, agility is critical," said Berend Booms, Head of EAM Insights at Ultimo, an IFS company. These systems help organizations shift from reactive repairs to proactive strategies, optimizing workflows, preventing downtime, and maximizing maintenance investments.
While 49% of respondents cite a lack of internal expertise as a barrier to adopting advanced EAM tools, Ultimo addresses this with AI-powered features requiring no in-house model training or heavy infrastructure. These solutions enable rapid deployment and immediate operational benefits, making advanced EAM accessible to organizations of all sizes across industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.
The Ultimo Maintenance Trend Report underscores that while AI, machine learning, and digital twins are transforming EAM, human expertise remains the backbone of maintenance success. By blending intelligent systems with skilled professionals, organizations can achieve operational excellence, cost efficiency, and a competitive edge in an evolving industrial landscape.
The Ultimo Asset Maintenance Report is based on data from over 200 maintenance professionals surveyed in Spring 2025 across industries including manufacturing, healthcare, energy, utilities, telecommunications, transportation and logistics. The report captures insights from organizations of all sizes, from small to medium and global enterprises in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, UK, USA and Sweden.
Ultimo, an IFS company, energizes the financial resilience, regulatory compliance and operational excellence for manufacturing, logistics and healthcare organizations through its innovative AI-augmented enterprise asset management (EAM) solutions. Focused on maintenance, uptime, safety, cost control, and efficiency, the Company is known for rapid deployment, ease of use and an unparalleled time to value. Ultimo supports over 120,000 technicians who manage more than 15 million assets for 2400+ customers worldwide. For further information see ultimo.com.
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