The Benefits of Installing and Patching on OpenShift
For organizations familiar with the complexities of deploying Maximo 7.6, the process of installing and patching Maximo Application Suite (MAS) 9.0 on OpenShift is a game-changing shift toward efficiency and automation. With significant improvements in setup and management, MAS 9.0 on OpenShift simplifies operations and saves time, helping organizations better manage their environments.
Unmatched Deployment Speed
Gone are the days when installing Maximo could take days or even a week. With MAS 9.0 on OpenShift, a complete deployment can be accomplished in less than four hours. Whether you’re configuring a basic setup or deploying a cluster environment with multiple JVMs (now referred to as pods in MAS), the timeline remains consistent. Even tasks that traditionally added extra time, like configuring LDAP or applying the latest patches, are integrated into this streamlined process.
This efficiency is largely possible due to the containerization of MAS on OpenShift. Containers allow environments, applications, and configurations to be pre-packaged and deployed with a level of speed and accuracy that was not achievable in the past.
Simplified Patching and Updates
One of the greatest headaches with Maximo 7.6 was the manual process of downloading updates and patches. Administrators or Business Partners had to sift through hundreds of images on IBM Passport Advantage and FixCentral to identify the correct versions, feature packs, and fixes. Simply gathering files could take an entire day before the actual installation began.
MAS 9.0 eliminates these time-consuming steps. The OpenShift platform automates the selection and application of updates, ensuring that installations come with the latest patches by default. The need for administrators to manually figure out dependencies, download files, or apply fixes is now a thing of the past.
Automation of Manual Tasks
Another dramatic improvement is the automation of previously tedious and error-prone tasks, such as configuring WebSphere, setting up JMS queues, updating build files, and deploying EAR files. With MAS 9.0 on OpenShift, administrators no longer need to worry about missing a critical checkbox or line of code during setup.
Even adjustments like renaming files or configuring LDAP settings are seamlessly handled within the containers. Automation ensures consistency and security across all environments, leaving less room for human error while reducing deployment time.
Easy Management of Multiple Environments
From Development and Test to Production, Training, or Sandbox environments, OpenShift ensures that organizations can easily set up and manage numerous instances of MAS 9.0. The containerized approach simplifies environment replication and scaling, making it less time-intensive to establish multiple configurations.
This capability is invaluable for organizations with complex IT infrastructures that require several environments to manage operations effectively. The ability to quickly clone environments or apply consistent updates across all instances helps businesses maintain smooth operations with minimal downtime.
A Future-Forward Platform
Overall, MAS 9.0 on OpenShift represents the future of enterprise asset management. By leveraging containerization and automation, IBM has addressed many longstanding challenges faced by organizations using earlier versions like Maximo 7.6. For those planning to upgrade, the new platform offers a more sustainable and efficient approach to deployments and updates, empowering organizations to focus on strategic goals instead of time-consuming technical hurdles.
When your organization prepares to transition from Maximo 7.x to MAS 9.0, this is the best time to take advantage of these advancements. Expect reduced complexity, faster deployment, and a platform that aligns with modern IT best practices. Stay tuned for more insights on how containerization is reshaping enterprise asset management and what it means for your operational success.