Predictive vs. Preventive Elevator Maintenance: What’s the Real Difference?

• The difference between preventive and predictive elevator maintenance
• How predictive maintenance works in plain English
• Real-world benefits for building owners and managers
• When predictive maintenance makes sense for your building

Elevators are essential to how we move through buildings, whether it is a busy office tower, a hospital, a major event stadium, a hotel, or a high-rise apartment. But keeping them running smoothly has become more complex.

That is why elevator maintenance is evolving. And if you are wondering whether predictive or preventive maintenance is the smarter choice for your building, you are not alone.

Let’s break it down clearly, simply, and with your building’s needs in mind.

Preventive maintenance has been the trusted industry standard for decades. It relies on a routine schedule: technicians visit regularly to inspect equipment, lubricate parts, and make adjustments to keep everything operating smoothly.

It’s structured, reliable, and ideal for many environments.

Where preventive maintenance excels:

• Straightforward, scheduled service
• A great fit for newer equipment or low-traffic buildings

Predictive maintenance builds on these proven practices. Instead of relying only on the calendar, it uses real-time data and smart monitoring to understand how equipment is truly behaving. When something begins to change — vibration, temperature, cycle counts — predictive tools can detect it early and help technicians address it sooner.

How predictive maintenance enhances preventive practices:

• Adds real-time insight alongside scheduled service
• Helps maintenance teams respond before a small change becomes a bigger issue
• Can optimize service intervals based on actual usage

Now imagine your elevator could talk to us, telling us how it is doing and alerting us to early warning signs.

That is what predictive maintenance does.

At KONE, we use 24/7 Connected Services to monitor your elevator in real time. Sensors track performance and send data securely to the cloud. Our intelligent systems analyze that data to detect anything unusual, often before anyone notices a problem.

Here is how it works:

• Sensors monitor doors, motors, brakes, and more
• Data is sent securely to the cloud
• Algorithms spot trends and flag issues
• Alerts go to technicians before a breakdown
• Action is taken fast, sometimes before tenants are affected

In buildings using predictive maintenance, we have seen:

• Up to 40% fewer customer-reported elevator and escalator issues and entrapments over a 3-year period
• 10-second average response time to alarm calls for connected units
• Improved first-time fix rates and longer intervals between failures
• Greater uptime and higher tenant satisfaction

Whether it is an office, hospital, or residential high-rise, the results speak for themselves.

For example, in one office portfolio, predictive maintenance reduced callouts by over 30 percent in the first year.

(Performance data is based on internal KONE service records from connected buildings over a multi-year period. Actual results may vary depending on equipment condition, usage, and service history.)

Predictive maintenance is ideal for buildings that:

• See high traffic (think offices, airports, hospitals)
• Have older or mixed fleets with varying performance
• Need to meet uptime guarantees or SLAs
• Are part of a portfolio with multiple sites
• Are planning future modernization work

If any of these apply to your property, predictive maintenance can offer clarity, control, and confidence.

Not at all. Here is what the process looks like with KONE:

• Equipment check: Most modern systems are ready to go. Older elevators may need simple sensor upgrades.
• Onboarding: We handle setup, data integration, and training.
• Privacy and security: All data is encrypted. No personal or tenant information is collected.

We make the transition seamless because building operations should feel smooth, not stressful.

If you answer “yes” to 2 or more of these, it might be time to explore predictive:

• Do you experience frequent elevator callouts or downtime?
• Do tenants or visitors expect high reliability?
• Is your building’s equipment aging or mixed?
• Would better reporting and insights help your team?
• Are you exploring smart building upgrades or modernization?

How does predictive elevator maintenance work?

Sensors monitor real-time performance. Data is analyzed to spot issues early. Our teams respond proactively, often before problems cause disruption.

Is it worth it for small buildings?

Yes. Predictive maintenance helps any building where uptime matters, or where service calls are frequent.

What elevators are compatible?

Most modern units are ready today. Older ones may just need minor upgrades. KONE can advise.

Will it reduce emergency callouts?

We have seen significant drops in emergency visits when predictive systems are in use.

Is building data safe?

All data is encrypted and securely stored. No personal or tenant data is collected.

Elevators are more than machines. They are part of people’s daily journeys. Predictive maintenance keeps that journey smooth, safe, and seamless.

Let us move smarter, together.

^{This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, technical, or professional advice. Maintenance strategies should be selected based on the specific needs, equipment, and regulatory requirements of each building. Results may vary depending on building type, equipment condition, and service provider. For guidance tailored to your situation, please consult with a qualified professional or KONE representative.}