This page shows the latest blog posts. You’ll see that there is a 5-month gap between April and August 2022. That is because I have been working on getting the Maximo Bite Size podcast and Maximo Secrets YouTube channel established. You would have seen the posts for these on the Home page and you can now follow their progress for their top menu items. I did want another page for other articles not associated with the podcast or videos – and that is this page, I hope to add to it soon.
Quiz – Rotating Items (1)
Now you have listened to the podcast or read the transcript, try your luck with the quiz.
Rotating Items
Learn what a Rotating Item is and the features of rotating items, rotating assets and locations that reference a rotating item.
Monitoring Service Level Agreements
Learn how to monitor Service Level Agreements (SLAs) by applying Escalations or associating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Applying Service Level Agreements
Learn about the filter criteria for a Service Level Agreement (SLA) and the matching process when the SLA is applied and what happens if multiple SLAs are a match.
Configuring Service Level Agreements
Learn about the basics of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) in Maximo. This is an introduction, and it should be understood before attempting Applying SLAs or Monitoring SLAs.
Self Service – Service Requests
Learn about the three Self Service applications Create Service Request, View Service Request, and Search Solutions.
Quiz – Ticket Ownership and Time Tracking
Now you have listened to the podcast or read the transcript, try your luck with the quiz.
Maximo Secrets – What’s it all about?
What is it? Maximo Secrets is a website with 382 published articles (posts) mainly on the functional aspects of Maximo. These go quite deep beyond the detail that you will find from the IBM documentation. Along the top menu you will find YouTube videos including the slides and transcripts, Podcast episodes and transcripts, Quizzes and…
Incidents and Problems
Learn about the Incidents and Problems applications and how they differ from Service Requests.
Quiz – Ticket Status and Status Inheritance
Now you have listened to the podcast or read the transcript, try your luck with the quiz.
Quiz – Asset Templates
Now you have listened to the podcast or read the transcript, try your luck with the quiz.
Quiz – Service Requests
Now you have listened to the podcast or read the transcript, try your luck with the quiz.
Quiz – Ticket Templates
Now you have listened to the podcast or read the transcript, try your luck with the quiz.
Quiz – Service Groups
Now you have listened to the podcast or read the transcript, try your luck with the quiz.
Quiz – Item Statuses
Now you have listened to the podcast or read the transcript, try your luck with the quiz.
Quiz – Item Master
Now you have listened to the podcast or read the transcript, try your luck with the quiz.
Quiz – Commodity Groups and Codes
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Quiz – Item Sets and Organizations
Now you have listened to the podcast or read the transcript, try your luck with the quiz.
Item Statuses
Learn about Item Statuses and how they exist at three levels Item, Item/Organization and Inventory.
Then take the quiz at the bottom of the transcript.
Item Master
Learn about things to consider when defining items in the Item Master application, some of the settings found on the main tab, the use of Alternate Items and Item Assembly Structures.
Then take the quiz at the bottom of the transcript.
Commodity Groups and Codes
Learn about the two-level hierarchy of Commodity Groups and Commodity Codes and where they are used across Maximo.
Then take the quiz at the bottom of the transcript.
Item Sets and Organizations
Learn about the relationship between Item Sets and Organizations and the three types of Items. You will also learn that an Item Type and the PR/PO Line Type while similar are not the same. Finally, we discuss the fields found in the Item/Organization Details action and the similar actions on Tools and Service Items.
Then…
Invoices – Allocate Services (Part 4) – Service Items and Manual Allocation
The fourth article in the series reviewing the Invoices – Allocate Services action. The focus of this article is on allocating a standard service against other services, manually modifying prorated costs and removing a previous allocation of costs.
Invoices – Allocate Services (Part 3) – Complex Allocations
The third part in the series on the Allocate Services action in the Invoices application returns to the dialog and shows how multiple Standard Services can be allocated across different invoice lines and that you can manually change the Prorated Cost.
Invoices – Allocate Services (Part 2) –Automatic Allocation
The second part of a series reviewing the Allocate Services action in the Invoices application, except in this part we will show that Maximo automatically allocates Standard Services to material lines during invoice approval without using the Allocate Services action.
Invoices – Allocate Services (Part 1) – Storeroom Items
The first of five parts reviewing the Allocate Services action in the Invoices application, most commonly used for handling freight costs or other standard service costs which you wish to distribute across other PO lines.
Maximo Scheduler Enhancements since 7.6.8
Get to know the enhancements made to Maximo Scheduler since Scheduler 7.6.8 in July 2020.
This article is work in progress.
Scheduler Enhancements – Part 1
Learn about some of the IBM Ideas (enhancements) that have been delivered for Maximo Scheduler since Scheduler 7.6.8 (Maximo 7.6.1.2) – Part 1.
Maximo User Interface 9.1
Learn about the new user interface features that you will find in MAS 9.1.
Maximo History – 1999 to 2002 – Maximo 4i
Continuing the history of Maximo, the other side of the coin to MRO.com during the years 1999-2000. Surviving the dot-com years with Maximo 4i.
Maximo History – The dot-com years (1999-2002)
During the three year period between 1999-2002 PSDI split and formed a subsidiary MRO.com. I have also split this period into two, with the Maximo article for the same period following next.
Maximo History – 1996 to 1998 – Years of Growth
The second part in the history of Maximo. A personal reflection, my first 3 years with Maximo.
Maximo History – 1985 to 1995
Maximo reached its 40th birthday on 13th May 2025. Read about the early years, the first decade, you’ll love the postscript.
This is a personal view, based on what I remember and a lot of research
New Features in MAS 9.0 and 9.1
If you are an existing Maximo client upgrading to MAS or you are in the process of upgrading then this presentation has been written for you. It highlights the differences in core Maximo between Maximo 7.6.1.3 and MAS 9.0 and MAS 9.1.
Step 4 – Planning/Scheduling Maturity – Labor
Step 4 in Planning and Scheduling Maturity is Labor, the first Planning Work step.
Every work order should have a work plan labor record, and a few other work order fields should be set. When first setting out in Maximo this article provides details of the minimum data you should set-up in order to…
Step 3 – Planning/Scheduling Maturity – Availability
Step 3 in Planning and Scheduling Maturity is Availability, creating availability for labor or crews, modifying the availability with holidays, sick and other period of unavailability and then assigning work within the availability of the labor or crew.
Step 2 – Planning/Scheduling Maturity – Assignments
Step 2 in Planning and Scheduling Maturity is Assignments, assigning the work order to the labor or crews who will execute the work at a Scheduled Date/Time. It is using the Assignments Tab in the Work Order Tracking application.
Step 1 – Planning/Scheduling Maturity – Ownership
Step 1 in Planning and Scheduling Maturity is Ownership, understanding which team and individual is taking responsibility for the work order throughout its life.
Asset Templates (Tr)
Learn about the additions to the Asset Templates application made by the Transportation Industry Solution.
Asset Lists (Tr) and Campaigns (Tr)
Learn how Asset Lists are used to support the creation of a work package for a Campaign.
Complex Assets – Discovery
Complex Assets is new (1-Nov-2024). It is a reworking of Maximo for Aviation which includes Asset Configuration Manager, Service Provider, and parts of Transportation and Health, Safety and Environment. This article is my early discovery of what applications are new or have been changed with Complex Assets.
Upgrading to MAS 9.0
Learn about Maximo Application Suite, Maximo Manage, the set of five add-ons that I’m calling the Included Capabilities, Licensing, the differences that you might expect to see or encounter, and a look ahead to IBMs Lifecycle Policy for MAS. A lot to cover and I’ll summarise at the end.
IBM Maximo – Upgrading to MAS 9.0
Learn what an upgrade to Maximo Application Suite means and what to expect.
Operational Dashboard and Work Queues
Contents Hello, and welcome back to Maximo Bite Size. A series of videos on the functional aspects of Maximo Manage. Title Good morning and welcome to the first episode in the series looking at the new features in Maximo Manage, for the release MAS 9.0. I’m Andrew Jeffery and today we’ll be discussing the Operational…
Operational Dashboard and Work Queues
Learn about the Operational Dashboard and Work Queues which will become the replacement for the Start Centers. I’ll also discuss the differences with Start Centers.
Operational Dashboard (MAS 9.0)
Learn about the changes made to the Operational Dashboard in MAS 9.0.
Work Queue Manager (MAS 9.0)
Learn about the Work Queue Manager application that is used with the Operational Dashboard. This includes new features in MAS 9.0 (June 2024) but also reworks the original MAS 8.11 (September 2023) features.
MAS 9.0 – Initial Review (1)
Learn about some of the MAS 9.0 enhancements to Maximo Manage in Routes, Job Plans, Work Order Tracking, Operational Dashboard, Work Queues and Work Orders.
MAS 9.0 New Features
Learn about the scale of the new MAS 9.0 enhancements, there are a lot of new features across the whole suite.
Vendor and Unit Cost logic for Inventory Reorder
Learn the logic that Maximo uses to derive the vendor and unit cost during the inventory reorder process.
Lease/Rental Contracts
Learn how to create lease and rental contracts including the setting up of payment schedules.
Maximo Manage – Linear
Learn how Maximo supports Linear Assets, roads, railways, pipelines, across several applications.
Maximo Manage – Analytics
Learn about the applications in the Analytics module and how analytics is enabled across Maximo Manage.
IBM Maximo Manage Overview
Learn about some of the capabilities of Maximo Manage, starting with core Maximo and followed by the included capabilities, the current product portfolio, and a personal look ahead to what might be coming next.
IBM Maximo Application Suite Overview
Learn about Maximo Application Suite, with an overview of each of its applications (MAS 8.11)
Work Orders Role Based Application (RBA)
Learn about the role-based application providing a modernized and simplified form for a work order.
Operational Dashboard (MAS 8.11)
Learn about the Operational Dashboard a modernised option to the Start Center (still under development).
Work Queue Manager (MAS 8.11)
Learn about the new Work Queue Manager application that is used with the Operational Dashboard. This was released in MAS 8.11 (September 2023).
A history of Maximo and why today it is more than an EAM system.
Ever wondered what the history of Maximo is? Well, in May 2025 it will be 40 years old, for software that is a long time.
Role-Based Applications – Technician (4)
The fourth article on the Technician Role-Based Application. This article covers other areas of reviewing the work order, including specifications, tasks with/without flow control and the start/stop timers.
Role-Based Applications – Technician (3)
The third article on the Technician Role-Based Application. This article covers other areas of reviewing the work order, and still more of this to come in the next article.
Role-Based Applications – Technician (2)
The second article on the Technician role-based application with a focus on the review of the work order. For some areas more details will be provided in later articles.
Role-Based Applications – Technician (1)
Learn about the Technician role-based application. This is the first in a series of articles focussing on the creation of a new work order and the initial review of the work order.
Role-Based Applications – Service Requests
Learn about the Service Request role-based application which is part of Maximo Mobile. This is part of the Self Service module and users who only have access to this module do not consume App Points.
Role-Based Application – Asset Manager
Learn about the Asset Manager role-based application, a part of Maximo Mobile. It provides functions to create assets or modify assets that you created or where you are the custodian of the asset.
Reliability Strategies
Learn about the Reliability Strategies application released 09/23, a starting point for introducing Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) to Maximo.
Issues and Transfers
Learn about the Maximo Mobile application called Issues and Transfers. It was released recently with Mobile 8.11.0 in September 2023 and this is a first release. It has limitations, so find out what you can currently do, and what you cannot.
Role Based Application – Issues and Transfers
Learn about the role based application Issues and Transfers which was new for MAS 8.11 (September 2023). This is a first release, another is expected in 2024. The current focus is enabling Issues from an Inventory Usage record including the conversion of a reservation.
Role Based Application – Inventory Receiving (2) – Shipment Receiving
Learn about the Shipment Receiving application which is part of the Inventory Receiving role based application. This is used for inter-storeroom transfers created initially from an Inventory Usage record.
Inventory Receiving
Learn about the first part of the Inventory Receiving application which is for receiving, inspecting materials, the equivalent of the Material Receipts tab in the desktop Receiving application.
Role-Based Application – Inventory Receiving (1)
Learn about the role based application Inventory Receiving, specifically the first option for Inventory Receiving – PO Material Receipts.
Role-Based Application – Inventory Counting
Lean about the Role Based Application Inventory Counting which is an online table based application for performing physical counts and reconciling balances. It supports counting against the items in a Count Book.
Count Books
Learn about the new Inventory application Count Books for defining what you want to count, performing the physical count and reconciling the balances.
Inventory ABC Analysis
Learn about the Inventory ABC Analysis fields, and how they can be set by a report and used with cycle counting.
Consignment Inventory
Contents Consignment inventory is inventory that is owned by a vendor but stocked in your storeroom and you pay for the items as you consume them. The advantage is that you don’t pay for what you don’t use, you don’t pay at the point in time you receive the item, providing a cash flow advantage,…
Meter Based PMs and PM Hierarchies
Learn about Meter Based PMs including mixed Time and Meter PMs. Learn about PM Hierarchies.
Quiz – Meters, Meter Groups and Condition Monitoring
Now you have listened to the podcast, try your luck with the quiz.
Quiz – Location Types and Location Systems
Now you have listened to the podcast, try your luck with the quiz.
Preventive Maintenance – Time Based
Learn about time based Preventive Maintenance, a first step before meter-based PMs, PM hierarchies, and PM Forecasting which we will cover later.
Master PM
Learn about Master PMs a template for frequency based Preventive Maintenance (PM) records. We also consider Master PMs used with Asset Templates.
Routes and Collections
Learn about two similar applications Routes and Collections and when you would use one or the other.
Job Plans
Learn about Job Plans, the template for a work order. Sorry, there’s no room to squeeze in Dynamic Job Plans.
Calendars, Shifts and People/Crew Availability
Learn about one of the first steps in Planning and Scheduling Maturity, availability. Calendars and Shifts are defined before modifying the work periods to define People/Crew Availability.
Crew Types, Crews and Crew Work Groups
Learn about Crew Types, Crews and how Crew Work Groups fit in. If multiple technicians or engineers normally work together then crews are used, it is not just for utilities.
Craft, Labor and Qualifications
Learn about three of the applications in the Resources module, Crafts, Labor, and Qualifications and how they work together.
People and Person Groups
Learn about two of the applications in the Resources module which are considered core data and likely to be used by all Maximo clients, People and Person Groups.
Asset Relationships
Learn about the Relationships application when not used in conjunction with linear assets. Learn how relationships can be added between an asset and another asset or a location.
Location and Asset Status
Learn that while locations and assets share a common set of values, how you might modify this. Learn the differences between changing status on locations and assets, and what happens to the asset status if it is moved between sites.
Failure Codes and Failure Reporting
Learn about Failure Codes and Failure Hierarchies and techniques for creating a hierarchy. Learn about Failure Reporting on a work order and settings that can affect this.
Asset Downtime
Learn about changing the asset state, reporting downtime, or modifying downtime history. Learn about the differences with reporting downtime on a work order and some settings that effect this.
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