I really appreciate your detailed and helpful insights! Thank you once again for taking the time to share your knowledge-it's been incredibly valuable. Apologies for the multiple questions, but I was hoping you might have some insights on the following:
Sorry for the long list of questions, but I deeply appreciate your time and generosity in sharing your knowledge. Looking forward to hearing your insights!
Original Message:
Sent: Mon February 24, 2025 05:46 AM
From: Helio Reis
Subject: Need a Clear Understanding of IBM MAS Licensing, App Points, and SaaS Options
Hi Mostafa,
I'm really glad you found the explanation helpful!
Regarding pricing for the different IBM MAS SaaS bundles (Essentials, Dedicated, and Managed), the best approach is to reach out to a local IBM partner. Prices can vary based on region, client size, and specific requirements, so an IBM partner will be able to provide a customised quote that reflects your needs.
For comparing on-prem vs. SaaS costs, I'd recommend looking at:
- Initial Costs: Hardware, licenses, and implementation for on-prem vs. subscription fees for SaaS.
- Ongoing Costs: Maintenance, support, upgrades (on-prem) vs. managed services included in SaaS.
- Scalability & Flexibility: SaaS allows easier scaling, while on-prem has more fixed infrastructure costs.
If you need help structuring a cost analysis, I'd be happy to share some insights on best practices for cost modelling!
Let me know how you'd like to proceed.
Best regards,
Helio Reis
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Helio Reis
Head of CAFM
Mitie
London UK
+447367702270
Original Message:
Sent: Fri February 21, 2025 06:59 AM
From: Mostafa Mosaad
Subject: Need a Clear Understanding of IBM MAS Licensing, App Points, and SaaS Options
Hi Helio,
I truly appreciate your generous and detailed explanation. Thank you for taking the time to break everything down so clearly! Your insights on AppPoints allocation and deployment considerations are incredibly helpful.
I wanted to ask if you could clarify where I can find pricing details for the different IBM MAS SaaS bundles (Essentials, Dedicated, and Managed). Additionally, how would you recommend calculating on-prem costs versus a subscription model to determine which is more cost-effective for my specific scenario?
In my case, both on-prem and cloud deployments are viable options for me and my client, so I'd like to perform a proper cost comparison to make an informed decision.
Looking forward to your thoughts!
Best regards,
------------------------------
Mostafa Mosaad
Software Engineer
Megasoft
Cairo
01117275779
Original Message:
Sent: Thu February 20, 2025 05:51 AM
From: Helio Reis
Subject: Need a Clear Understanding of IBM MAS Licensing, App Points, and SaaS Options
Hi Mostafa,
I've put together a comprehensive response covering AppPoints allocation, real-world best practices, and the differences between On-Prem and SaaS deployments. I hope this helps answer your questions, and I'd be happy to discuss any specific scenarios you're working through!
1. How Do AppPoints Work in IBM MAS?
AppPoints are a unit-based licensing model where each user type, application, or add-on module consumes a specific number of points. Instead of purchasing fixed licenses for individual components, organisations buy a pool of AppPoints, which can then be allocated flexibly based on actual usage needs.
- Self-Service Users: Require 0 AppPoints and can access limited functionalities (e.g., submitting service requests).
- Limited Users: Require 5 AppPoints (Concurrent) or 2 AppPoints (Authorised), allowing access to three modules.
- Base Users: Require 10 AppPoints and provide access to broader functionalities including scheduling and asset management.
- Premium Users: Require 15 AppPoints, offering full access to all industry solutions and predictive capabilities.
Each MAS module (e.g., Scheduler, Spatial, Health, Industry Solutions) consumes a predefined number of AppPoints, and organizations must allocate points accordingly.
2. Determining the Right Number of AppPoints
To estimate the required AppPoints for a project:
- Identify the number of users and their roles (Self-Service, Limited, Base, Premium).
- Determine module requirements, as each add-on (e.g., Scheduler, Predict, Asset Configuration Manager) requires additional AppPoints.
- Assess concurrent vs. authorised users, since concurrent users require more points per session.
- Factor in future scalability needs, as MAS allows dynamic allocation based on demand.
3. Key Differences in AppPoint Consumption Across Applications
Different applications in MAS consume different amounts of AppPoints. For example:
- Industry Solutions (e.g., Oil & Gas, Utilities, Aviation) consume Premium-tier AppPoints.
- Add-ons like Asset Configuration Manager, Service Provider, and HSE Manager consume additional points.
- Predictive Maintenance tools (e.g., Visual Inspection, AI-based decision-making) require significant AppPoints.
- Basic functions (e.g., Work Order Management, Preventive Maintenance) have lower AppPoint requirements.
4. Best Practices for AppPoint Allocation
- Monitor usage regularly to optimise point distribution.
- Consider grouping users into tiers (Self-Service, Limited, Base, Premium) to prevent unnecessary allocation of higher-cost licenses.
- Leverage dynamic scaling features in MAS to reassign points based on actual system needs.
- Plan for additional points if implementing AI-driven or advanced analytics features.
IBM MAS Deployment Options: On-Prem vs. SaaS
IBM MAS offers multiple deployment models: On-Premises, SaaS Managed, and SaaS Dedicated.
1. Key Differences in MAS SaaS Options
IBM offers three SaaS options:
- SaaS Essentials: A multi-tenant cloud service with limited customisation.
- SaaS Dedicated: A single-tenant option offering more control and flexibility.
- SaaS Managed: IBM manages infrastructure, security, and maintenance, offering an in-between approach.
2. Licensing Structure Changes (On-Prem vs. SaaS)
- On-Prem: Requires upfront investment in infrastructure, installation, and management.
- SaaS: Operates on a subscription model, with AppPoints covering both software access and infrastructure costs.
- Feature Availability: Some advanced features (e.g., AI-driven analytics, seamless updates) are more optimised for SaaS.
3. Advantages and Disadvantages of On-Prem vs. SaaS
Feature | On-Premises | SaaS |
Cost | High initial investment | Lower upfront cost, subscription-based |
Infrastructure | Requires in-house management | Fully managed by IBM |
Customisation | Full control | Limited in SaaS Essentials |
Upgrades | Manual | Automatic |
Security | Full control over security policies | IBM-managed security |
Scalability | Limited by on-site infrastructure | Flexible scaling |
4. When to Choose On-Prem vs. SaaS?
- Choose On-Prem if your organisation requires full control over data security, infrastructure, or regulatory compliance.
- Choose SaaS if you prioritise cost-effectiveness, scalability, and reduced IT burden.
- Hybrid models can also be considered, allowing critical workloads to remain on-prem while leveraging cloud-based analytics.
------------------------------
Helio Reis
Head of CAFM
Mitie
London UK
+447367702270
Original Message:
Sent: Wed February 19, 2025 09:14 AM
From: Mostafa Mosaad
Subject: Need a Clear Understanding of IBM MAS Licensing, App Points, and SaaS Options
Hello IBM Community,
I have a solid understanding of IBM Maximo 7.6 licensing, but I'm still not 100% clear on the new IBM Maximo Application Suite (MAS) App Points licensing model. I've gone through multiple IBM documents, but I would appreciate a detailed explanation from someone with hands-on experience to help clarify things.
My Questions:
App Points Licensing:
- How exactly do App Points work in IBM MAS?
- How can I determine the right number of App Points required for my projects?
- What are the key differences in App Point consumption across different applications within MAS?
- Are there any real-world examples or best practices for planning App Point allocation efficiently?
IBM MAS Deployment Options (On-Prem vs SaaS):
- What are the differences between the three SaaS options for IBM MAS?
- How does the licensing structure change between On-Prem vs. SaaS?
- What are the key advantages and disadvantages of On-Prem vs. SaaS in terms of cost, flexibility, and management?
- Is there any guidance on when an organization should choose On-Prem vs. SaaS?
If anyone could break this down in a detailed, easy-to-understand way or provide additional resources that explain these aspects more clearly, I would really appreciate it!
References of resources I've already gone through:
Maximo Application Suite as a Service overview
AppPoints for Maximo Application Suite as a Service
AppPoints for Maximo Application Suite as a Service
IBM MAS SaaS - Edition Comparison Chart1
Thanks in advance for your help!
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Mostafa Mosaad
Software Engineer
Megasoft
Cairo
01117275779
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