Is Maximo Really the ‘Cadillac’ of EAM?

Often when I demo Maximo Application Suite (MAS) to potential clients, they mention how they have heard Maximo can be complex and probably has more functionality than they would ever need. They equate Maximo to a “Cadillac” when all they need is a “Chevy”. I’ve heard these types of analogies over the 25 years I have been working with Maximo. 

Then, these same clients end up buying Maximo, own it for years, and end up being the ones that enter enhancement requests into the IBM Ideas database asking for even more capabilities in the product. It’s ironic. 

Let’s get back to the initial statement. “Maximo can be complex and has more functionality than we would ever need.” There is some truth in this statement. Maximo came to the market in 1985. It is 40 years old. In 40 years, you are going to see a product mature and add capabilities. Think of other solutions. Microsoft Word for example. Microsoft Word has a similar lineage to Maximo. It probably seemed complicated compared to a typewriter back in the day. Now Microsoft Word uses AI to help you write your message, almost eliminating the need to type.  

Streamline Asset Setup

With any product you evaluate, when you are coming from ground zero and then become exposed to all possible capabilities of that solution, it is inevitably going to look overwhelming. Start simple. Ignore bells and whistles. You don’t need all the capabilities of any solution until you are ready for them. 

Integrate Engineering Intelligence

How can you make Maximo simple? Start with the basics. Even basic capabilities in Maximo can provide a lot of value. Are you able to describe where your assets are located? Could you build a hierarchy that gives some context into where assets are operating and how you would like maintenance costs to roll up? This doesn’t have to be overly detailed but thinking strategically upfront is beneficial. Even better, if this is a newer facility, you may already have engineering drawings that can be automatically consumed into Maximo building your asset hierarchy for you and saving hours of manual setup. 

Do you have a list of assets you want to load into Maximo? Is it possible to validate the accuracy of the information related to that asset list prior to loading it into the system? Maximo does offer a simple mobile application that lets you perform an audit on your assets prior to implementation. You can collect name plate and images of the actual assets and use that to mature content. 

Unlock New Capabilities

From this point you can start to use Maximo. You can create work orders on assets or locations and start seeing information on costs, trends, mechanic notes and details on the why. It really doesn’t have to be complicated to get started. You start to see what Maximo does for you. You might even start to ask yourself, “Could I also set up “this” feature and start seeing “this” information?” This is growth. This is you understanding the benefits of Asset and Maintenance Management systems like Maximo. This is you thinking, “Instead of manually adding work instructions to each work order each time, could I have a library of procedures?” “Could I create something that alerts me that I need to have maintenance done on a certain frequency with some advanced notice?”  

If you’re ready to take that first step but aren’t sure how to frame it, we’re always here to help you map out a practical starting point. 

Don’t fear the system. Maximo has proven itself as a solid, reliable tool for nearly four decades, and it will meet you where you are. Start small, keep it simple, and let your use of the system grow as your organization grows. The more you work with it, the more you’ll see what’s possible and what makes sense for your operation. And if you ever need help figuring out where to begin or how to take that next step, that’s something we’ve guided a lot of teams through over the years. Change is progress — and with the right approach, you’ll find that the “Cadillac” really is worth the ride. If you’re ready to take that first step, connect with our team. 

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