Analytics and Data Maximo User Group (ADMUG)

ADMUG

Analytics and Data Mobile User Group! The mission of ADMUG is to connect individuals on Maximo Analytics in advancing insight on your Asset Management implementation. With a focus on knowledge sharing including successes and challenges.

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  • 1.  Why BIRT Reports Are Being Phased Out in Maximo Implementations - and What's Replacing Them

    Posted 25 days ago

    For years, BIRT (Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools) has been the standard reporting solution in IBM Maximo, providing static reports like work order summaries, asset histories, and inventory details.

    Today, as organizations demand real-time insights, AI-driven analytics, and conversational reporting, BIRT's role is diminishing. IBM is now focusing on Watsonx Assistant and Cognos Analytics, which are transforming how users access and analyze Maximo data - moving from static reports to interactive, AI-powered insights.

    What are your thoughts on this transition? How ready are organizations to adopt these new capabilities?



    ------------------------------
    [Satyapal] [Sangwan] [Maximo Solution Architect]
    [Founder]
    [DawnBIT]
    [Princeton] [New Jersey]
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Why BIRT Reports Are Being Phased Out in Maximo Implementations - and What's Replacing Them

    Posted 3 days ago
    Edited by Manu Nagayach 2 days ago

    Hi @Satyapal Sangwan This is an important transition, and one that reflects a larger shift in enterprise asset management - from reporting what happened to understanding why it happened and what's next.

    BIRT served its purpose well for structured, static reporting. But today's Maximo users expect contextual, real-time insights and even natural language interaction. The move toward Cognos Analytics and Watsonx Assistant isn't just a technology upgrade - it's a mindset change.

    The real challenge for most organizations isn't tool adoption; it's data readiness. AI and predictive analytics are only as strong as the quality, completeness, and governance of underlying EAM data. Many companies still struggle with fragmented hierarchies, inconsistent asset taxonomy, and poor work order history - and that's where transformation efforts need to start.

    Once those foundations are in place, the shift to AI-driven, conversational analytics will feel less like disruption and more like evolution.

    - Manu Nagayach
    IBM-Certified Maximo Architect | EAM Strategist
    #maximo #watsonx #assetmanagement #cognosanalytics #EAM #AI #reporting



    ------------------------------
    Manu Nagayach
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Why BIRT Reports Are Being Phased Out in Maximo Implementations - and What's Replacing Them

    Posted yesterday

     Hi Manu,  FYI  RATP Group "3rd ww people transport Cie" has showcased during the last Maximo Exchange EMEA ,  how they've deployed  their strategic  new reporting based on Cognos for Maximo. User case is  for  Paris city  Metro & Paris area Express railway allowing a new optimization field in railway maintenance. 15x faster, more accurate, instant analytics in full compliance with IBM strategy. Available in few weeks.



    ------------------------------
    Nicolas DESCAMPS
    DataMaxAI co-Founder
    Head of R&D
    Cognos Expert IBM Champion 2023-2024-2025
    Cognos reporting for Maximo
    Paris - France
    ndescamps@data-accelerator.com
    www.datamaxai.ai
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Why BIRT Reports Are Being Phased Out in Maximo Implementations - and What's Replacing Them

    Posted 2 days ago

    Hi Satyapal, 

    It will go down like a lead balloon with clients. BIRT is part of the product and effectively then comes free. Watsonx Assistant and Cognos Analytics both come at an additional license cost for all except the smallest client. IBM continues to raise the per user license cost, significantly above our competitors. There is no point having a beautiful product that nobody is willing to pay for.

    Regards - Andrew



    ------------------------------
    Andrew Jeffery
    Maximo SME
    ZNAPZ b.v (a Naviam company)
    Barnstaple
    +44 (0)777 1847873
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Why BIRT Reports Are Being Phased Out in Maximo Implementations - and What's Replacing Them

    Posted 2 days ago

    Hi Andrew,

    You raise a valid point. Maximo, by design, is an Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) solution rather than a full ERP platform. Most organizations already rely on their ERP systems for financials and procurement, while their enterprise analytics strategy is typically driven by a centralized Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) or corporate BI environment.

    Even if Watsonx or Cognos Analytics licensing costs are not always competitive, clients can still integrate Maximo data seamlessly into their broader analytics ecosystem using other enterprise BI tools - enabling cross-functional insightswhile allowing Maximo to remain focused on its core strength of asset lifecycle management.

    As technology continues to evolve, clients are increasingly seeking dynamic, predictive analytics over traditional static reporting - and that's where the real value will emerge.

    Regards,



    ------------------------------
    [Satyapal] [Sangwan] [Maximo Solution Architect]
    [Founder]
    [DawnBIT]
    [Princeton] [New Jersey]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Why BIRT Reports Are Being Phased Out in Maximo Implementations - and What's Replacing Them

    Posted 2 days ago
    Edited by Manu Nagayach 2 days ago

    You're right  @Andrew Jeffery - many clients already have a central BI or Data Warehouse layer connecting multiple enterprise apps for unified analytics and dashboards. In those setups, EAM is just one data source in the larger ecosystem, and reporting naturally shifts to that enterprise layer instead of being handled natively in EAM.

    That's the direction many organizations are heading: letting EAM handle asset governance and lifecycle integrity, while leveraging enterprise BI or CRM platforms for insights, reporting, and user-facing interaction.

    – Manu Nagayach
    IBM-Certified Maximo Architect | EAM Strategist



    ------------------------------
    Manu Nagayach
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Why BIRT Reports Are Being Phased Out in Maximo Implementations - and What's Replacing Them

    Posted 2 days ago

    It is the messaging to existing clients that I worry about. Here is another example where IBM takes something away, and suggest that the replacement is something which will cost more in infrastructure and licensing. Our competitors already say MAS is soooo much more expensive than Maximo. There are also plenty of existing clients that are still relatively small. Are we effectively abandoning MAS for smaller clients?

    PS I don't know any Maximo clients that have Cognos/Watsonx as their central BI or Data Warehouse layer, PowerBI seems to be fairly dominant.



    ------------------------------
    Andrew Jeffery
    Maximo SME
    ZNAPZ b.v (a Naviam company)
    Barnstaple
    +44 (0)777 1847873
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Why BIRT Reports Are Being Phased Out in Maximo Implementations - and What's Replacing Them

    Posted 2 days ago

    Hi Andrew,

    Completely agree. IBM's push to move Maximo onto Red Hat OpenShift - mainly to create a common platform for deploying their broader products like Cognos, App Connect Enterprise, and InfoSphere Optim, along with MAS components such as Monitor and Visual Inspection - makes sense strategically for IBM but not necessarily for all clients.

    For smaller customers without advanced infrastructure or IoT capabilities, this added complexity and cost don't deliver much additional value. In fact, it risks making the solution feel heavier and less practical for organizations that just need a solid, reliable EAM system rather than a full enterprise platform.

    Regards,



    ------------------------------
    [Satyapal] [Sangwan] [Maximo Solution Architect]
    [Founder]
    [DawnBIT]
    [Princeton] [New Jersey]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Why BIRT Reports Are Being Phased Out in Maximo Implementations - and What's Replacing Them

    Posted 2 days ago

    Excellent point @Andrew Jeffery- and I fully agree that messaging and value positioning are critical here.

    You're right - many existing clients, especially those under 500 users or with focused operational scope, won't replace BIRT overnight. For them, Power BI or an enterprise EDW remains the most economical route. That said, I've seen this transition play out in multiple ways depending on client maturity and budget strategy:

    Smaller clients – continue using BIRT or push Maximo data into Power BI / corporate dashboards through a staging layer (SQL/ODI/API).
    Mid-tier organizations – start experimenting with Cognos or Watsonx for AI-driven "ask-style" insights, often with targeted pilot dashboards.
    Large regulated enterprises – leverage Cognos or Watsonx Assistant natively because they already have licensing footprints and governance frameworks.

    The challenge, as you said, is ensuring IBM's message doesn't sound like "we're removing something and charging more for the replacement." It should sound like "we're giving you optionality to modernize at your own pace."

    For many clients, the sweet spot will be hybrid reporting: keep BIRT for static/operational reporting, and integrate Maximo data with Power BI, Cognos, or Watsonx for strategic analytics.

    In short - the goal shouldn't be replacing tools but bridging ecosystems. Clients care less about which BI engine they use, and more about whether the insights improve asset reliability and decision speed.

    – Manu Nagayach
    IBM-Certified Maximo Architect | EAM Strategist



    ------------------------------
    Manu Nagayach
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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