The short answer is “yes”. The longer answer is “it will not change your world (which makes it easier on your users), but you should upgrade anyway”.
If you are planning your Maximo v7.6 upgrade, next v7.6 fixpack, or looking for a cost-effective way to provide v7.6 “what’s new?” training – let us know – we are always open to having a conversation to listen to your experience and share what we have learned from working in partnership with many sites to implement and optimize their Maximo solution.
After we have led a ton of Maximo v76 whats new training, here are the top 12 what’s new features based on what we have heard from users who use v7.6 every day to manage their asset infrastructure.
- Hover dialog for details – ‘i’ symbol next to field – dialog popup with fields from related application
- Ad-hoc reporting is almost user-friendly 🙂
- Maximo Everyplace is now bundled with Maximo license
- More browsers supported IE 8->11, Chrome, Firefox
- Better help guide organization
- Log tab added to PR, PO apps
- KPI manager – creating, viewing, scheduling KPIs
- Multiple objects can appear in a single Start Center result set, ie. Asset # and asset description for a workorder
- Record Edit mode – enabled per application via app designer
- Field validation when you save the record vs. leaving each field
- Maximo role based work centers which use the “new” Maximo UI
- and bonus for IT support: removal of those pesky java applets
and depending on what version you are coming from:
- View related records
- Job plan revisions
- Shipment transfer
- Work order > Assignment tab
- list tab shows the records recently updated records since the last database hit
- list tab reload button
So, should you upgrade to Maximo v7.6 now that v7.5 end of life is coming near (April 30, 2018)? Our advice is a strong “yes”. Why?
- You have committed to maintaining mission critical asset infrastructure using IBM Maximo as your primary tool.
- You have invested many hours into the configuration of the system and user training & support. Hopefully trust in the system and the data is strong.
- Your IBM Maximo resides within an infrastructure that is changing constantly. Compatibility is going to raise its ugly head very soon. Check out the Maximo compatibility matrix and compatibility report for where to be watching.
- The IBM Maximo underlying architecture changes with v7.6 – and IBM is changing the release strategy for Maximo in the near future – moving away from .x major release with fixpacks to a continuous release process.
- New base user functionality and enhanced UX/UI comes with v7.6 and continues to be released and enhanced with every 7.6.x release.
So after getting through this post, and if you are still struggling to justify the upgrade project – we offer the definitive resource on the subject -from Scott Adams.
