Hello, we are using 7.6.0.8 and so far see the only way to see images on the item master details screen is by inserting the image in the database as a BLOB (binary long object) using Select Action > Add/Modify Image. Our DBA is frowning on the idea of inserting blob data into the database and wants to avoid it if possible. Has anyone figured out a way to store images on the file system and still be able to view images on the Item Master screen?

I notice in IMGLIB table there is a IMGURI field which if I use the oslc API, it brings up the image listed in the IMGURI. I was hoping to use this field and leverage some sort of launch in context (really, URL in context) where I can display images based on the id that matches the itemid. 

Any thoughts on how to do this or if it possible impossible?

Source: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/apar/IJ05384

------------------------------
SoCal Sun
Maximo SysAdmin
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------
#AssetandFacilitiesManagement
#Maximo

If you're able to get to a newer version (at least 7.6.0.9, though it'd be better if you got to a 7.6.1.X release), IBM added the ability to use S3 buckets for DOCLINKS and IMGLIB functionality. I think that's the better way to handle this long term without needing to develop a way to expose them in the desired format while trying to keep the two systems in sync. This would move the files out of the database into S3 (including other providers that mimic the S3 API, like IBM Cloud Object Storage). We've only utilized it for DOCLINKS thus far but have plans to test it for some of our customers that utilize IMGLIB heavily.

------------------------------
Steven Shull
Director of Development
Projetech Inc
Cincinnati OH
------------------------------

So, do you think there's a way to trick S3 request and redirect via apache to the local file system? Right now, its 1000 images and they prefer to keep the images on-prem for security reasons.

We have to patch up to 7.6.0.10 for extended support at least, but plan to update to 7.6.1.x "soon".

------------------------------
SoCal Sun
Maximo SysAdmin
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Mon March 22, 2021 08:17 AM
From: Steven Shull
Subject: View thumbnail in Item Master without using database image BLOBs.

If you're able to get to a newer version (at least 7.6.0.9, though it'd be better if you got to a 7.6.1.X release), IBM added the ability to use S3 buckets for DOCLINKS and IMGLIB functionality. I think that's the better way to handle this long term without needing to develop a way to expose them in the desired format while trying to keep the two systems in sync. This would move the files out of the database into S3 (including other providers that mimic the S3 API, like IBM Cloud Object Storage). We've only utilized it for DOCLINKS thus far but have plans to test it for some of our customers that utilize IMGLIB heavily.

------------------------------
Steven Shull
Director of Development
Projetech Inc
Cincinnati OH
------------------------------

I'm not aware of anything like that but it might be possible. S3 doesn't have to run in the cloud though. It's become such a large standard that a lot of on-premise storage solutions support the S3 API. In addition the cloud providers all have their on-premises solution like Amazon Outpost or Azure ARC. My only experience is with cloud provider solutions but I know on-premises options are out there.

I personally don't like exposing images/attachments via webserver because it makes every image and/or attachment accessible to any person with network access, whether or not they could access that record in Maximo. All a user would have to do is guess the URL, assuming someone didn't leave directory browse/listing enabled. If they did it's a non-event to get all the files. If that's the approach required I can try to investigate how to do it in one of our lab environments.

------------------------------
Steven Shull
Director of Development
Projetech Inc
Cincinnati OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Mon March 22, 2021 01:22 PM
From: SoCal Sun
Subject: View thumbnail in Item Master without using database image BLOBs.

So, do you think there's a way to trick S3 request and redirect via apache to the local file system? Right now, its 1000 images and they prefer to keep the images on-prem for security reasons.

We have to patch up to 7.6.0.10 for extended support at least, but plan to update to 7.6.1.x "soon".

------------------------------
SoCal Sun
Maximo SysAdmin
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: Mon March 22, 2021 08:17 AM
From: Steven Shull
Subject: View thumbnail in Item Master without using database image BLOBs.

If you're able to get to a newer version (at least 7.6.0.9, though it'd be better if you got to a 7.6.1.X release), IBM added the ability to use S3 buckets for DOCLINKS and IMGLIB functionality. I think that's the better way to handle this long term without needing to develop a way to expose them in the desired format while trying to keep the two systems in sync. This would move the files out of the database into S3 (including other providers that mimic the S3 API, like IBM Cloud Object Storage). We've only utilized it for DOCLINKS thus far but have plans to test it for some of our customers that utilize IMGLIB heavily.

------------------------------
Steven Shull
Director of Development
Projetech Inc
Cincinnati OH

Thanks for your reply. If on-prem S3 API exist, then that's likely the best solution for this. We can probably talk the DBA into a temporary arrangement with BLOB knowing we'd transition away to S3 API. We have a few integrations with images on third-party products so, we'd have to see what using secured URLs will mean, but that's down the road. Anyway, I was struggling for a few weeks on this and your replies help clarify the options. I know you're ahead of the curve, but I hope I can at least say thank at the next MaximoWorld in person! :)

------------------------------
SoCal Sun
Maximo SysAdmin
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Mon March 22, 2021 03:25 PM
From: Steven Shull
Subject: View thumbnail in Item Master without using database image BLOBs.

I'm not aware of anything like that but it might be possible. S3 doesn't have to run in the cloud though. It's become such a large standard that a lot of on-premise storage solutions support the S3 API. In addition the cloud providers all have their on-premises solution like Amazon Outpost or Azure ARC. My only experience is with cloud provider solutions but I know on-premises options are out there.

I personally don't like exposing images/attachments via webserver because it makes every image and/or attachment accessible to any person with network access, whether or not they could access that record in Maximo. All a user would have to do is guess the URL, assuming someone didn't leave directory browse/listing enabled. If they did it's a non-event to get all the files. If that's the approach required I can try to investigate how to do it in one of our lab environments.

------------------------------
Steven Shull
Director of Development
Projetech Inc
Cincinnati OH
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: Mon March 22, 2021 01:22 PM
From: SoCal Sun
Subject: View thumbnail in Item Master without using database image BLOBs.

So, do you think there's a way to trick S3 request and redirect via apache to the local file system? Right now, its 1000 images and they prefer to keep the images on-prem for security reasons.

We have to patch up to 7.6.0.10 for extended support at least, but plan to update to 7.6.1.x "soon".

------------------------------
SoCal Sun
Maximo SysAdmin
Los Angeles CA


Original Message:
Sent: Mon March 22, 2021 08:17 AM
From: Steven Shull
Subject: View thumbnail in Item Master without using database image BLOBs.

If you're able to get to a newer version (at least 7.6.0.9, though it'd be better if you got to a 7.6.1.X release), IBM added the ability to use S3 buckets for DOCLINKS and IMGLIB functionality. I think that's the better way to handle this long term without needing to develop a way to expose them in the desired format while trying to keep the two systems in sync. This would move the files out of the database into S3 (including other providers that mimic the S3 API, like IBM Cloud Object Storage). We've only utilized it for DOCLINKS thus far but have plans to test it for some of our customers that utilize IMGLIB heavily.

------------------------------
Steven Shull
Director of Development
Projetech Inc
Cincinnati OH