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What are Feature Packs, Fix Packs, Interim Fixes, and Limited Availability Fixes?

Technical Blog Post


Abstract

What are Feature Packs, Fix Packs, Interim Fixes, and Limited Availability Fixes?

Body

***This document is current as of May 2023. All information is subject to change***

Fix Packs and Feature Packs (for example 7.6.1.3)

  • Undergo a full development release cycle
  • Extensive QA testing
  • Are cumulative in nature and each new Fix Pack and Feature Pack contains all fixes from all previous Fix Packs and Feature Packs for that release
  • Might contain minor new functionality
  • 7.6.1.3 is the last Feature Pack IBM released for version 7.6.1

INTERIM FIX PACK 

Interim Fix Packs are the next level of maintenance for Maximo.  They go by many names, such as Hotfix, Cumulative Hotfix, IFIX.

  • Contain bug fixes only
  • Rarely - if ever - contain class structure or DB changes that would affect customizations
  • QA testing at Fix Pack and Feature Pack level
  • Includes all known and resolved fixes for the version (for example - 7.6.1)
  • Released every 30 – 90 days
  • IBM no longer provides Interim Fix Packs for 7.6.0.10 or earlier versions
  • IBM no longer provides Interim Fix Packs for 7.6.1 and 7.6.1.1
  • IBM will provide the last Interim Fix Pack for 7.6.1.2 in December 2023

 

LIMITED AVAILABILITY FIX (LA FIX)

An LA Fix is an unofficial mechanism to deliver a single, temporary fix specific to one or more scenarios detailed in the APAR or defect. They are higher risk fixes to the system where they are applied when compared to Interim Fix Packs.

In exceptional and rare cases, an LA fix could be delivered as a temporary solution to a problem that impairs the usage of the product significantly in a production system. 

  • Only where no workaround is available.
  • Not if a fix is available in an existing IFIX or soon to released IFIX 
  • Not available for security fixes 
  • Not available if not technically feasible 
  • Not available for new features or enhancements
LA fix requests go through a strict approval process by support and development management (and in some circumstances by other IBM teams as needed). Updates on whether an LA fix is approved or not might require extensive assessments by technical teams and management.
 
IBM performs limited spot testing. It is the responsibility of the customer to test LA fixes extensively to ensure the stability of the environment.

Risks 

  • LA fixes make a customer environment unique
  • Subsequent maintenance can easily cause regressions
  • LA fixes make applying future maintenance more complex
  • LA fixes cannot be applied to other environments except the one it was built for
  • Under certain circumstances, LA fixes might not allow you to apply any further maintenance in the form of IFIXes or FIX Packs until you upgrade to the newest version for Maximo or Manage
  • IBM does not fix data issues caused by an LA fix
  • You must declare all LA fixes when providing environment information on a support case
  • Because an LA fix makes an environment unique, support may require more time to investigate a case
  • LA fixes are only intended to be in place until the fix is available in a (interim) fix pack 


 

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