As IBM transitions its legacy Maximo 7.6.x platform to the new, cloud-native Maximo Application Suite (MAS), many organizations are embarking on a transformative modernization effort. IBM Maximo’s Application Suite represents a leap forward in enterprise asset management (EAM), offering containerized deployments, enhanced out-of-the-box (OOTB) features, and modular expansions (Manage, Health, Predict, etc.). With the end-of-life for Maximo 7.6.x set for September 30, 2025, it is time to start your EAM digital transformation journey! Below is a deeper look at the technical implications of this upgrade.
Understanding the Scope of MAS Modernization
1. Platform Rebuild, Not A Simple Upgrade
Containerization & Microservices: Maximo Application Suite is fundamentally different from legacy Maximo’s monolithic architecture. Unlike legacy Maximo 7.6.x deployments, which relied on standalone servers or virtual machines, Maximo Application Suite runs as a containerized application within a Kubernetes-based environment, using Red Hat OpenShift for orchestration. This architecture:
Improves scalability and resilience by allowing services to be independently scaled and patched.
Enables more frequent, modular updates without bringing the entire system offline.
Infrastructure Requirements: To support MAS effectively, organizations need robust virtual infrastructure, ideally within a government-approved cloud environment to meet compliance, security, and scalability requirements. MAS introduces significant differences in storage, compute, and networking requirements compared to legacy Maximo deployments, making it essential to conduct a thorough assessment of system architecture, database size, and integration complexity before defining hosting requirements.
Managed vs. Self-Hosted OpenShift Considerations
Organizations without existing Red Hat OpenShift expertise must decide between self-hosting OpenShift or using a managed Kubernetes service, such as:
Azure Red Hat OpenShift (ARO) – A Microsoft-managed OpenShift service in Azure.
Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS (ROSA) – A Red Hat-managed OpenShift deployment in AWS.
A managed OpenShift service simplifies deployment, scaling, and long-term maintenance, reducing the administrative overhead of Kubernetes management, patching, and upgrades. However, managed services come at an additional cost, making it crucial to assess:
Current Maximo storage and database size – MAS storage requirements differ from legacy Maximo, and database performance tuning is critical.
Integration complexity – Legacy Maximo often integrates with third-party systems (GIS, financials, reporting tools) that may require additional network and security configurations.
Infrastructure compliance needs – Agencies with strict FedRAMP or on-premises hosting mandates may need a hybrid or private cloud deployment instead of a fully managed cloud solution.
2. Data Migration & Governance
Data Integrity & Validation: Migrating asset, work order, and preventive maintenance data from Maximo 7.6.x to MAS involves schema updates and transformations to align with MAS’s new database structures.
Introduction of MongoBD: In Maximo Application Suite 9, MongoDB serves as the data dictionary and default user registry, playing a pivotal role in managing application data and user information. This shift necessitates a comprehensive data migration strategy to ensure seamless integration and data integrity.
MAS 9 supports MongoDB versions 5.0 and 6.0, with recent updates extending support to version 7.0, ensuring alignment with the latest database features and security enhancements.
For environments requiring Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) compliance, it's essential to configure MongoDB accordingly to maintain data security standards
Governance & Lifecycle Management: With MAS, you can implement DevOps pipelines for continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD). Red Hat OpenShift supports a full DevOps toolchain within its platform, allowing you to implement CI/CD pipelines, automated deployments, and container orchestration natively. Whether you are using a managed or self-hosted OpenShift environment, DevOps processes can be integrated through OpenShift’s built-in capabilities and extended with third-party tools.
3. Security & Compliance
Zero-Trust & Federated Identity: MAS integrates seamlessly with modern identity providers, supporting MFA and federated single sign-on (SSO). This helps federal customers adhere to zero-trust guidelines, but requires in-depth knowledge of configuring certificates, ports, and roles within OpenShift.
Authority to Operate (ATO): Gaining an ATO for MAS involves documenting container security, scanning container images, verifying network boundaries, and satisfying all NIST 800-53 control requirements like automated vulnerability monitoring and logging solutions for continuous monitoring requirements.
4. Functional Enhancements & Modular Approach
MAS Manage, Health, Predict: Previously, separate Maximo modules were often installed and maintained individually. In MAS, these modules reside under one suite, simplifying overall administration but requiring additional planning to enable and configure the desired functionality.
Extended OOTB Features: MAS offers expansive out-of-the-box workflows for asset maintenance, work order management, and condition-based monitoring. Many customizations from legacy Maximo can be replaced with MAS OOTB features, reducing technical debt and long-term support costs.
TRM Rules Manager: For organizations relying on TRM, the shift to MAS requires uninstalling the old TRM version, installing the updated MAS-compatible release, and adapting any rules that depend on functionality changed in newer TRM editions.
5. Timeline & Complexity Factors
Infrastructure Provisioning Delays: Building out a container environment (e.g., setting up Red Hat OpenShift, configuring storage and networking) can be time-consuming, especially if multiple approvals are needed.
Security Compliance: Obtaining an Authority to Operate (ATO) for IBM MAS in the cloud can be time consuming due to the significant technical changes across the infrastructure, application, and database. Therefore, cybersecurity compliance should be planned from the start of the project, with frequent communication to your cybersecurity team.
Stakeholder & End-User Training: MAS introduces a new UI and reimagined workflows, so functional teams need sufficient training to ensure a smooth transition.
How NexGen Can Help
1. Hands-On MAS Deployment Experience
NexGen has proven success helping federal agencies through their digital transformation journey to MAS, resolving real-world challenges like container security, certificate management, and governance. This experience translates into:
Reduced Risk: NexGen offers proven expertise, a repeatable “playbook”, and direct experience resolving the unique challenges of migrating from Maximo 7.6 to MAS 9 in a government approved cloud environment.
Accelerated Timelines: Our prior engagements mean we already know the pain points, best practices, and proven solutions for hosting MAS on federal cloud environments, cutting months off the overall project duration.
2. Advanced Data Migration & Integration Strategy
Structured ETL Processes:
We develop data conversion playbooks for moving legacy Maximo data into MAS’s modern structure, ensuring validation and integrity checks.
Integrations:
From integrations to third party tools, external systems, and GIS-Esri integrations, NexGen’s specialized approach adapts legacy integrations to container-based MAS workflows without compromising performance or security.
3. Security & Compliance Leadership
Holistic Compliance Approach:
NexGen’s experience with FedRAMP, FISMA, and federal cybersecurity mandates means we can guide you through container image scanning, vulnerability patching, and policy documentation to achieve an ATO efficiently.
Zero-Trust Architecture:
Our security architects integrate multi-factor authentication (MFA), encryption standards, and the required network zoning to safeguard both internal and external MAS endpoints.
4. Governance, DevOps, & Continuous Improvement
DevOps Pipelines:
We set up pipelines for CI/CD of container images, environment management, and automated testing, cutting down on deployment friction and long term maintenance costs.
Ongoing Management & Scalability:
Post-migration, NexGen provides monitoring and support services to optimize performance, roll out new features, and maintain compliance over the long term.
5. Cost Savings & Faster ROI
Leverage Past Lessons Learned:
By building on previous MAS implementations, NexGen accelerates delivery and reduces costs, helping your organization see a faster return on modernizing.
Eliminate Over-Customizations:
We help replace non-critical Maximo customizations with MAS’s enhanced OOTB features, lowering total cost of ownership (TCO) and simplifying future upgrades.
Final Thoughts
Transitioning from Maximo 7.6.x to IBM Maximo’s Application Suite is not just a technical upgrade- it is a holistic shift to container-based architecture, modern security paradigms, and a more modular platform approach. While the benefits of improved scalability, enhanced features, and simplified maintenance are clear, organizations face numerous challenges in planning, executing, and securing their MAS environment. NexGen’s deep experience in federal MAS deployments provides the expert guidance, proven strategies, and established governance needed to ensure a smooth, secure, and cost-effective migration.
If your agency or organization is looking to migrate to MAS, contact NexGen to learn how our tailored solutions and federal deployment track record can expedite your journey and set you on the path to a fully modernized Maximo environment.
About NexGen:
NexGen Technologies (NexGen) provides the people, processes, and solutions that help make innovative IT transformation possible across your systems and applications.
We specialize in delivering top-tier IT support services, specifically tailored for the unique needs of the federal government. Our dedicated team combines cutting-edge technology with deep industry expertise to ensure your projects meet the highest standards of quality and security.
For more information, please contact NexGen at info@nexgeninc.com or (720) 377-1800.
