A Beginner's Guide to IBM Maximo Training

Effective management and maintenance of company assets are essential for businesses to remain competitive. To meet this demand, employers need skilled professionals with expertise in popular asset management solutions like IBM Maximo. With IBM Maximo’s scalable, flexible, and robust capabilities, it empowers organizations to reduce costs and make data-driven decisions. With almost 27% of the market share for enterprise asset management suites, according to Enlyft, it is the preferred solution for asset management.

With that said, learning IBM Maximo can be a valuable career move for professionals seeking to advance in the fields of asset management, information technology, or consulting. Individuals with Maximo skills are highly sought in industries such as manufacturing, energy, and transportation. With its widespread adoption, gaining an IBM Maximo certification allows you to stand out to employers.

Key Features of IBM Maximo

IBM Maximo provides value by centralizing the management of all types of company assets. This means the feature set centers on improving the insights of your asset managers and improving operational efficiency. According to IBM, Maximo can reduce labor and inventory costs by 10%-25%.

One of its major draws is how highly configurable it is, allowing it to be customized to fit the unique needs of different industries and organizations. With IBM Maximo, asset managers are made more efficient with access to advanced analytics and predictive maintenance capabilities, meaning they’re able to identify and remediate issues before they occur, minimizing downtime.

The feature set of IBM Maximo is so robust we couldn’t fit them all in this guide, but we’ll cover many of them as we make our way through this article. For now, here are some of the new features available in IBM Maximo 7.6.0.

• Ability to create applications based on database views
• New ad hoc, KPI, BIRT, and Cognos reporting
• Improvements to assignment resources make tracking easier

Understanding IBM Maximo Training

IBM Maximo training is beneficial for individuals who work ― or want to work ― in asset-intensive industries like manufacturing, utilities, transportation, or government. If these areas interest you, or you have experience already with IBM Maximo, consider obtaining an IBM Maximo certification.

The IBM Maximo training provided through ExitCertified covers a variety of topics and teaches a variety of skills. For example, fundamentals training is available to lay the groundwork and help you get comfortable with this robust software suite. If you’ve already got hands-on experience with Maximo, then more advanced courses like the IBM Maximo Advanced Deployment Professional Bootcamp will teach you key skills like how to deploy, implement and support IBM Maximo asset management solutions.

If IBM Maximo is such a robust solution, however, how do you know what skills to focus on? Well, let’s cover some of the key skills required for almost any IBM Maximo-certified professional.

Essential IBM Maximo Skills to Learn

Navigation of the IBM Maximo Interface

The beauty of IBM Maximo is how simple it is to use. A clean, user-friendly interface provides you with one-click access to every aspect of your asset management pipeline, allowing you to manage work orders, track inventory, monitor asset performance, and make data-driven decisions quickly and easily. With IBM Maximo, you can streamline your asset management processes and enhance your organization's productivity, efficiency, and profitability.

How to navigate the user interface is a core skill you’ll learn from your hands-on experience during the IBM Maximo Asset Management Fundamentals v7.6.x course.

Creating and Managing Work Orders

Users must know how to create new work orders and link them to assets or locations, assign work orders to technicians or crews, and update work order information such as descriptions and statuses. Additionally, users should understand the work order lifecycle and how to manage and track work order progress.

IBM Maximo provides tools for scheduling and prioritizing work orders based on urgency and available resources, making it easy to ensure that the most critical work orders are completed first. Maximo’s reporting and analysis tools enable users to generate insights into work order performance, allowing for continuous improvement and optimization of maintenance processes.

Managing Assets in IBM Maximo

To manage assets in IBM Maximo, individuals must have a strong understanding of asset management best practices, as well as the technical expertise to create, manage, and track work orders, inventory, and assets.

With Maximo, users can easily manage work orders, track inventory, and monitor asset performance using advanced data analytics. By providing real-time insights and predictive analytics, Maximo empowers users to optimize their operations and make data-driven decisions, ultimately leading to increased efficiency and cost savings.

Understanding IBM Maximo Reports

Reports are an important part of IBM Maximo, and users need to know how to create and schedule them. Maximo comes with a variety of templates users can customize to create different types of reports, such as work order reports, inventory reports, and asset performance reports. These reports help users get valuable information about their assets and operations. For example, work order reports provide details about work orders and their tasks, while inventory reports show inventory levels and movements.

The report designer and report scheduler are tools in Maximo that help users create and manage their reports easily. By using these tools, users can create reports that meet their specific needs and help them make better business decisions.

IBM Maximo Mobile

To work with IBM Maximo Mobile, users will need to be familiar with mobile devices and operating systems. Even if you are familiar with the desktop user interface, you may find the mobile app interface different and may need to become comfortable with the mobile app's navigation and user interface.

The app offers a user-friendly interface that is optimized for touch-based devices. This simplifies common asset management tasks, making them easy to perform from anywhere, even when you're away from your desk. With IBM Maximo Mobile, users can view asset data, create and update work orders, view maintenance history, and access a wide range of Maximo reports. The app also supports barcode scanning and photo capture, making it easy to identify assets and document work performed in the field.

Advanced IBM Maximo Skills to Learn

Configuring IBM Maximo

Configuring IBM Maximo can be a complex process and requires careful planning and testing to ensure that the software is configured correctly and meets business requirements. Therefore, to configure IBM Maximo, users need to have a solid understanding of the software's underlying architecture and data models.

Configuring, in this context, means configuring various settings and options, such as defining user roles and permissions, setting up workflows, configuring data fields and forms, creating and customizing reports, and integrating IBM Maximo with other systems.

Managing Inventory in IBM Maximo

Users must have a comprehensive understanding of the IBM Maximo’s inventory management capabilities and know how to effectively use them. To gain this comprehensive understanding, you must learn how to set up and manage inventory item records, use work orders and purchase orders to manage inventory replenishment, and manage stockouts and overstocks.

With IBM Maximo, users can track inventory usage, forecast demand, set inventory levels, and perform physical inventory counts. The software also allows users to define inventory locations, track inventory by serial number or lot, and set up automatic reorder points to maintain optimal inventory levels.

Overall, to effectively manage inventory in IBM Maximo, users should have a combination of strong inventory management skills and knowledge of the software's inventory management features and functionality.

Understanding IBM Maximo Security

Security is an essential aspect of using IBM Maximo effectively. Users should understand how to configure and manage security settings within IBM Maximo. They need to know how to define user roles and permissions, set up password policies, and configure security groups. They also should be able to establish and enforce security protocols to ensure that sensitive information and assets are protected from unauthorized access or tampering.

Additionally, users should be able to recognize and respond to security threats or incidents, such as data breaches or cyber attacks. They should understand how to investigate and analyze security incidents, implement corrective actions, and communicate effectively with stakeholders about security risks and mitigation strategies.

IBM Maximo Integration

IBM Maximo Integration refers to the ability to integrate data from external sources into Maximo. This is a crucial aspect of the software since it allows businesses to connect different systems, share data, and automate processes, resulting in increased efficiency and accuracy.

The integration capabilities of IBM Maximo are extensive, and users should be familiar with the various integration options available, including application programming interfaces (APIs), web services, and enterprise service buses (ESBs). Integrating external data sources into Maximo can help organizations gain insights into their operations, streamline workflows, and make data-driven decisions. Users should be able to configure, manage, and troubleshoot data integrations in IBM Maximo.

IBM Maximo Learning Paths

Maximo System Administrator

As a Maximo System Administrator, you’ll play a crucial role at any organization utilizing IBM Maximo. The System Administrator is responsible for configuring and maintaining the Maximo system, including its security settings, workflows, reports, and integrations with other systems. You’ll also manage user accounts, troubleshoot technical issues, and ensure that the system is running smoothly and efficiently. The System Administrator works closely with other stakeholders in the organization, such as IT teams, end-users, and management to ensure that the system meets the organization's needs.

To become a certified professional in IBM Maximo System Administrator, it's important to develop a deep understanding of the various features in the software suite. To gain this understanding, here are some of the top courses provided through ExitCertified.  

Maximo Application Suite - Manage: Work Management

This self-paced virtual class covers the work management process in what’s called “IBM Maximo Manage,” which is a component of the Maximo Application Suite. This course includes the creation of job plans, work orders, and work assignments, as well as recording labor and material usage and failure information. Participants will practice these concepts through hands-on lab exercises. This course is suitable for consultants, system administrators, support, sales, and users.

Maximo Application Suite - Manage: Preventive Maintenance and Condition Monitoring

This two-day instructor-led course provides an understanding of how preventive maintenance (PM) is configured in IBM Maximo Manage. Topics covered include creating time and meter-based preventive maintenance schedules, mastering PM, PM hierarchies, and PM forecasting. Students will also learn about repair facilities and job plan sequencing, as well as how to create condition monitoring points and automatically generate work orders from PM and condition monitoring points. This course includes hands-on lab exercises and is suitable for consultants, system administrators, support, sales, and users.

Maximo Application Suite - Manage: Asset Management

This self-paced virtual class covers asset creation, asset application, meters, asset movement, swap and modification, and locations from the perspective of assets. Participants will work through demonstrations and exercises at their own pace in a lab environment. This course is suitable for consultants, system administrators, support, sales, and users who want to learn more about managing assets in IBM Maximo Manage.

Maximo Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) Consultant

A Maximo Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) Consultant is responsible for providing consulting services to organizations that utilize IBM Maximo EAM software. They work with clients to understand their business processes, identify areas of improvement, and develop solutions that optimize the use of the software to meet their needs.

Just like a Maximo System Administrator, an EAM Consultant must have a deep understanding of the entire EAM system. Geared toward consultants, the following courses offered through ExitCertified can help you gain the knowledge you need to be a reliable and sought-after EAM Consultant.

Maximo Application Suite - Manage: Core Data Setup

This two-day instructor-led program teaches participants how to set up a new organization and site in Maximo Manage. It covers core options in the Organizations application, such as creating classifications and location records. Students will learn about multi-organization strategy, general ledger account setup, and organization options. The course includes hands-on lab exercises in a Red Hat OpenShift Maximo Manage environment. This course is beneficial to consultants, system administrators, support, sales, and users.

Maximo Application Suite - Manage: Users and Security

This self-paced virtual class covers creating new users in Maximo Manage, managing labor, crafts, and calendar records through specialized applications, and implementing conditional security using conditional expressions and control properties. The course is designed for implementation consultants, administrators, technical sales, and system users.

Maximo Application Suite - Manage: Purchasing and Contracts

In this course, you’ll be taught how to create and manage purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and contracts, as well as how to use approval hierarchies and workflows. Implementation consultants, administrators, technical salespeople, and system users will benefit most from this course.

Maximo Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) System Users

Maximo EAM System Users are individuals who use the Maximo Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) system to manage and maintain their organization's assets, including facilities, equipment, and infrastructure. They play a crucial role in ensuring that assets are properly tracked, maintained, and managed throughout their lifecycle ― from acquisition to disposal.

Maximo Application Suite - Manage: Preventive Maintenance and Condition Monitoring

This hands-on, two-day course focuses on the configuration of preventive maintenance (PM) in Maximo, including creating time-based and meter-based schedules, Master PM, PM hierarchies, and PM forecasting. Participants will also learn about repair facilities and job plan sequencing.

Maximo Application Suite - Manage: Asset Management

By the end of this self-paced, virtual class, you will be equipped with the skills to create and manage assets, modify asset specifications, create item assembly structures, define depreciation schedules, and enhance asset management with Maximo Health and Maximo Predict. This course is ideal for Consultants, System Administrators, Support, Sales, and users who want to deepen their understanding of Maximo IBM.

Maximo Application Suite - Manage: Users and Security

This course offers a hands-on lab environment to help you learn at your own pace. By the end of the course, you’ll understand the use of conditional expressions and will be able to define Maximo components, such as User, People, Security Groups, and Labor; modify control properties; and implement conditional security. This course is suited for Implementation Consultants, Administrators, Technical Sales, and System Users.

IBM Maximo 7.6 bootcamp series – Introduction

After completing this bootcamp, students will be able to identify and describe the scope of the core functionalities in Maximo, know some of the key IOT solutions in Maximo, and understand Asset Performance Management (APM) and the core challenges that are overcome when using this solution. Students will also be able to implement and discuss some of the concepts practiced in the hands-on lab exercises.

The course is part of a larger IBM Maximo 7.6 bootcamp series badge, consisting of nine courses and lab exercises that can be completed independently, but it’s best for Maximo users to work through them in sequence.

IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.6 Implementation Bootcamp

This is a nine-day hands-on technical boot camp that focuses on the design, planning, and execution of a Maximo Implementation. The course is divided into 20 modules covering a range of topics from course introduction and basic navigation to more advanced topics, such as Automation Scripting, Migration Manager, and REST API. The course also includes hands-on lab exercises to help reinforce the concepts taught in the modules.