What's new in Maximo Mobile 9.1

IBM Maximo Mobile app for Windows available from the Microsoft store

Enhancements for administrators

Modify default login browser

Starting in version 9.1, administrators can specify which browser can be used to log in from browsers and mobile devices.

For more information, see Configuring the default browser for logging in.

Ability to clear application log files

Log files cache can now be cleared from the app, which allows for faster uploads and improves the support experience.

For more information, see Maximo Mobile log clean up.

Ability to add multiple attachments at a single time in Maximo Mobile

You can now select and upload multiple attachments in a single flow with the flexibility to modify the attachment details.

Auto refresh after logging in to Maximo Mobile

When you log in to Maximo Mobile, your device is automatically refreshed with updated data from the server.

Prevent GPS spoofing in Maximo Mobile

Configure Maximo Mobile to prevent mobile devices and emulators from reporting false GPS location information.

For more information, see Preventing GPS spoofing in Maximo Mobile and Maximo Mobile properties.

Turn on device light while scanning bar codes

Many mobile devices do not allow you to use the light feature of a mobile device when scanning bar codes. This drawback can make it hard to scan bar codes in dimly lit spaces.

Starting in Maximo Mobile v9.1, any app that allows you to scan a bar code includes a flash icon that you tap to turn on the light of the mobile device while you perform the scan. You can tap the flash icon again to turn off the mobile device light.

Time zone configuration from a mobile device

Each Maximo Mobile user is assigned a default timezone to collect accurate timestamped data from the field. In Maximo Mobile v9.1, users can set a timezone from their mobile device.

Use the Mobile Admin app to set the Display time zone menu property to toggle the availability of the Time zone menu option on the mobile device.

For more information, see Changing the time zone from a mobile device.

Improvements to image retrieval

Previously, you could download image libraries from Maximo Mobile servers through OSLC. Downloading larger libraries can impact server performance. Maximo Mobile v9.1 now uses ImgLib and a utility class cron task to control the transfer and sizing of image libraries through OSLC.

For more information, see Downloading images with ImgLib and Limit ImgLib size when downloading transactional or lookup data.

Support for large files. long videos and high-quality images

Mobile users can now upload and download attachment files from their iOS and Android devices that are up to 200 MB in size .

New methods to generate and assign preloaded databases.

Preloaded databases can be generated and distributed to users assigned to specific sites, or language.

For more information, see Creating preloaded data for mobile using SiteID and language.

Shared devices enhancements

You can designate a mobile device as a shared device by enabling the Shared device option from the Container settings page. Any biometrics or PIN® login configuration is disabled for the device when it is designated as a shared device. Users of the shared device can log into Maximo Mobile by using local user authentication.

For more information, see Disabling offline login and device authentication in Maximo Mobile and Configuring a shared mobile device.

New system property to determine the value of a service address.

The Service Address is typically derived either by a direct service address against the location or asset, or by looking up the address system to derive a service address. There may be circumstances where the service address is contained in both the asset and location for the service request. Use the sr.mobile.sapriority property to designate which object to reference for the service address.

For more information, see Maximo Mobile properties.

New system properties to determine priority and work type for work orders created using Quick Reporting on mobile devices

Use the maximo.mobile.Priority system property to configure the priority of work orders that are created by using Quick Reporting on mobile devices. The default value is 1.

Use the maximo.mobile.QuickWoWorktype system property to configure the work type of work orders that are created by using Quick Reporting on mobile devices. The default value is EM.

For more information, see Maximo Mobile properties.

New Mobile Configuration app

The Mobile Configuration app provides a centralized place for Suite administrators to manage the configuration of mobile apps. Currently, the app can be used to configure mobile specific properties, and define data synchronization.

Allow administrators to control navigator refresh options

Use the Mobile Admin app to configure the data that is refreshed on mobile devices when a sync operation is initiated.

Support for identifying users with access to the Maximo Mobile apps

The number of users with access to Maximo Mobile apps can be tracked in Maximo Manage and Maximo Application Suite through the Maximo Manage PLGCountCronTask and Maximo Application Suite valuemetrics API.

Enhanced delta refresh of transactional data

You can configure Maximo Mobile to deliver more details about child data contained in transactional data records during a synchronization of delta information. Newly available data includes work order attachments, work order asset status updates, work order work logs and labor records, and inspection reports.

For more information, see Enabling enhanced delta refresh of transactional data and Maximo Mobile properties.

Work order enhancements for technicians

On demand Start Travel button

The Start Travel button can be configured to display regardless of the current distance of the GPS location from the store. This allows technicians to record travel time when it's required.

Create a work order using GIS coordinates from a map

Technicians can create a work order using GIS coordinates on their mobile device by long-clicking on a location on the map. For information on configuring this feature, see Create work order with GIS coordinates.

Filter and sort work orders

Users can filter the work order assigned to them based on the scheduled date range.

Ability to revise accepted work assignments

Technicians can reject or complete previously accepted work assignments.

Ability to automatically stop work order timers

Work order timers can be configured to automatically stop when a technician starts the timer in another work order.

Ability to delete timers

Technicians can delete timers that have been started accidentally in order to ensure proper recording.

Enhancement to failure reporting

Technicians can now edit the failure's date and time in work order failure reporting.

Meter improvements

Technicians can now add remarks that are related to meter readings.

When technicians are connected to the server, the last meter reading is fetched before the meter reading page opens, helping ensure more accurate meter readings are recorded.

When a continuous meter reading is entered, technicians can see whether an actual or delta reading is required.

Technicians can now enter meter readings on work orders created offline.

Improvements in follow-up work orders

Technicians have simplified access to follow-up work orders related to the original work order, even when not the work was not created on the same device.

Technicians can create follow-up work orders directly in the multiple asset and location section of the work order, streamlining the process.

When creating follow-up work, technicians can choose which assets and locations the work applies to, and delete the irrelevant options.

Safety Plan reviews

When technicians review a safety plan that is associated with work, the review is recorded with a timestamp.

Ability to define target dates for new work

When creating a new work order, technicians can include either Target Start/Target Finish dates or Scheduled Start/Scheduled Finish dates. The new maximo.mobile.WOSchedulingDates system property defines whether Target or Scheduled dates are used.

Easier quick reporting

Scheduled dates are no longer required when technicians create new work in the Quick Reporting application. Actual Start and Actual Finish dates can be used instead.

Enhancements to planned and issued tools

Technicians can now report the actual quantity and hours of the rotating and non-rotating planned or issued tools for an approved work order.

Select asset spare parts

When technicians need to issue a spare part in a work order, they can now select an asset and choose from the list of items that are defined as spare parts for the asset.

Ability to reassign work orders

Technicians can now reassign or unassign work orders even after accepting the work.

Ability to classify work orders and update specifications

Technicians can add, edit, and remove classifications on work orders.

In Work order details, technicians can edit the specifications while online or offline.

Added function to audit assets

A new function to audit assets is available for technicians and supervisors.

The status of the audit and the information of the last audit are now displayed in the asset details for assets that are enabled for auditing.

Technicians can also open a list of assets to be audited per location.

For more information, see Enable the auditing flow for Maximo Mobile.

Labor Hours enhancements for technicians

Ability to report premium labor hours

Technicians can now enter labor premium pay from the Report work page for labor.

Ability to report multiple labors at the same time

Technicians can now report the labor of their co-workers. When the user starts the timer, they can select other technicians with the same start and end time.

Ability to edit labor hours

When reporting work, technicians can edit non approved labor transactions.

Ability to view additional work details when reporting labor hours

When technicians report labor hours, they can now see the craft, skill level, vendor, and contract information that is associated with the work to help ensure proper recording.

Inspection enhancements for technicians

Easier access to assets and locations

The multiple assets and locations table is now accessible at the line level, streamlining the inspection process.

Automatically analyze inspections photos using IBM Maximo Visual Inspection

If you have IBM Maximo Visual Inspection, you can configure inspections to automatically analyze images using MVI models by selecting Always perform MVI analysis and specifying the MVI model to use on the inspection form question.

Inspection usability enhancements

Usability improvements were added for technicians conducting inspections, including the following enhancements.

• An icon that indicates the completion status of an inspection
• Enhanced filtering options
• Easier viewing and navigation of questions
• Ability to expand and collapse questions
• Ability to reuse questions between inspection forms
• Ability to add documents, videos and other types of media files as attachments to inspections forms
• Ability to assign inspections to a technician
• Enabling electronic signatures for inspection forms during status change from the Inspection Forms application

Service request enhancements for technicians

Duplicate service requests

You can duplicate a service request record from the service request details page from a mobile device or role-based app in online or offline mode. Fields that are copied include the Category, Details, Contact Person, Location, and Assets field values from the original service request. Attachments are not duplicated.

Reference existing service requests

When creating a service request, users can look up existing service requests to use for reference.

Follow service requests

You can look up and follow service requests that are created by other users.

Create a service request from a map

You can create a service request from a map by long pressing on any point in the map, or from an asset or location on the map.

Select non-primary system locations in service requests

Previously, when you created a service request, you were limited to selecting locations that were related to the primary system, according to your default insert site. You can now access locations from different systems to be used in a service request.

Enter service addresses information

Service address information can be entered for service requests through direct input or it can be inherited from an associated asset or location. In this release, you can also automatically enter service address information through GPS coordinates.

Hide or show high priority service requests

You can choose to hide or show high priority service requests using a signature option in the Security Groups application.

Calibration enhancements for technicians

Enhancements to the quality and traceability of calibration processes that facilitate compliance with regulatory standards.

Calibration engineers and technician can add, edit, and view additional remarks on data sheets for calibration work orders.

Additional remarks make the calibration reporting system more open since technicians and engineers can document and view nonconformance to regulatory standards, provide contextual information, and support corrective actions.

Improved visibility of calibration results

The Calibration header is now anchored and remains visible while adding calibration points. Technicians can view the final status immediately after saving the calibration values.

Loop calibration through loop location

Calibration technicians can now be assigned loop location based calibration work orders.

A loop location tag is displayed on the calibration details section of work orders making it easier to identify loop calibration work orders.

Technicians can execute loop location work orders with clear identification of the data sheet that is linked to each asset.

Note: If you want the data sheets to be available in loop calibration work orders in Maximo Mobile, you must associate an asset to the data sheet when creating the work order.

You can now find specific assets that are part of a loop location by clicking the calibration icon on a work order, which takes you to the asset list page.

• In the asset list page, you can search for specific assets and identify their physical location.
• In the asset page, you can also see the completion status of each data sheet within each particular asset that is linked by a loop location.

For more information, see Loop locations and Adding a location to a loop calibration.

Generate and print calibration labels

When completing a preventive maintenance calibration work order, technicians can generate and print calibration labels.

• A calibrated asset label includes the asset number, calibration status, parent asset if applicable, asset description, work order number, calibration date and next due date, and the signature of the technician who completed the work order.
• A loop calibration label includes the loop location number, calibration status, location description, physical location, work order number, calibration date and next due date, and the signature of the technician who completed the work order.
• For loop calibration preventive maintenance work orders, technicians can generate a label for the most recent completed work order that is related to the particular loop location.
• The minimum printing size is A6, 105 x 148 mm.

Technicians can add calibration points during work order execution

You can modify the work order rules to enable technicians to add calibration points.

Technicians can add calibration points on both, in the As Found and As Left pages in Maximo Mobile.

Technicians can also edit and delete the added calibration points.

• This feature is available for calibration points, dynamic checkpoints, and functional checkpoints.
• Adding calibration points is not available for repeatable points.

• For more information, see Configuring edit rules for calibration work orders.

Standard deviation for repeatable calibration points is now available

Previously, when the users had repeatable calibration points, they entered all the points and Maximo Mobile calculated the errors by using the average of all the repeatable points. If the average error was within the defined tolerance, then the result was Pass. The standard deviation of the individual repeatable points wasn't considered.

While creating or editing data sheets for repeatable calibration points, calibration engineers and supervisors can enable and configure the new standard deviation capability for repeatable calibration points, resulting in more accurate Pass or Fail results.

Calibration engineers and supervisors can also view the Pass or Fail status based on the defined limit of standard deviations.

Technicians can still complete the work orders, even if the average calculated error surpasses the defined tolerance.

Ability to view asset calibration history

Technicians can now view up to 20 records for any asset in the calibration history in Maximo Mobile by default. The limit of visible records can be modified.

The ability to view calibration history records helps technicians to meet quality and compliance standards. The calibration history:

• Provides insights into the reliability and performance trends of the instruments.
• Indicates underlying issues such as component wear and tear or environmental factors.
• Helps in predicting future performance and scheduling calibration.
• Historical pass or fail data guides technicians in fine-tuning calibration standard operating procedures and validates methods effectiveness.
• A comprehensive pass or fail history provides a clear audit trail to meet compliance with standards such as ISO, GMP, FDA.
• Historical pass or fail data helps to investigate failures and apply the appropriate corrective actions and preventive actions.
• Helps to manage the inventory by knowing the instrument failure rate.

New calibration tools options

You can enable the validation of standard solutions to allow or not allow expired solutions to be used with calibration work orders.

You can enable the validation of rotating assets to prevent circular usage of rotating assets on calibration work orders.

You can add calibration standards from mobile such as due date, expiry date, lot number, manufacturer, and use by date.

You can enable the option for technicians to view the details or delete actual tools transactions.

Actual tools now allow technicians to choose a rotating asset and the respective tools are displayed. Technicians can also choose a tool first and the corresponding rotating asset is displayed. If the other fields have multiple records, then a lookup to select the correct records is displayed.

Previously, tools had to be part of the storeroom for the data to be downloaded on mobile devices. Now, all calibration tools can be downloaded to mobile devices even if they are not added to the storeroom.

More fields available in the Create Asset, Edit Asset, and View Asset screens.

Priority and Installation date fields are available in the create or edit asset pages.

Calibration and Linear asset toggles are available in Create Asset and Edit Asset.

• When the asset is marked as Calibration, other fields become available, like Asset department, Model number, Loop location, Physical location, and Is M&TE?.

Technicians can also view the additional fields on the asset details page.

Enhancements for storeroom clerks

Create assets on your mobile device

Storeroom clerks can now create rotating assets from their mobile device. They can scan assets or serial numbers, and use autonumbering for asset identification.

In the Assets application, technicians can also create and edit asset classifications from their mobile device.

Issue and transfer enhancements

Storeroom clerks can benefit from the following issue and transfer enhancements.

• Issue and transfer tools from inventory in the same way that items are transferred. Tools can be transferred with and without a reservation from a work order, material request, or purchase order.
• Choose your storeroom when creating inventory usage records to access reservations and inventory.
• Transfer items between storerooms with internal purchase orders, reservations, and inventory usage records.
• Support for tasks within work orders.
• Data loading enhancements.

Receiving enhancements

Storeroom clerks can benefit from the following receiving enhancements.

• Receiving bins and additional attributes can be updated upon receipt.
• Additional information is available for users to identify item, receipt, and purchase order data.
• Performance enhancements, including data loading improvements and additional sorting, filtering, and search options.