Maximo Application Suite FAQ for Continuous Delivery and Long Term Support releases

For the policy definition, please see IBM Maximo Application Suite Software Support Lifecycle Policy for Versions 8.7-8.11.

Introduction

Starting with IBM Maximo Application Suite v8.7, IBM adopted a Continuous Delivery (CD) support model.

                         

The IBM CD support model allows IBM products to make new function available more frequently.  Both new function and product maintenance is made available in a single, easy-to-install CD update package.

                           

IBM customers can stay current with the installation of CD updates by obtaining the latest product maintenance and new features.

                           

It is understood that frequent releases of the software might not be suitable for all application environments.  In those cases, IBM offers a Long  Term Support release (LTS) option for Maximo Application Suite.  An LTS release is supported for a fixed period, as specified in the announcement, to assist clients where frequent functional updates might not be practical, and a longer term deployment is more suitable.  IBM can elect to declare any CD update an LTS release.

                           

Product defect fixes and security updates are only available for the two most current releases and all active LTS releases.  New functional updates are not available to previously released CD update packages and LTSs.

                           

IBM expects customers to upgrade to either the latest CD update package or LTS in order to receive on-going security updates and defect fixes.                    

For supported operating systems and other system requirements on both the CD and LTS releases, see the IBM Maximo Application Suite system requirements documentation.

For information on maintenance releases, see the IBM Maximo Application Suite on FixCentral.

                          Q. What do you mean by LTS and CD releases? A. LTS stands for Long Term Support.  LTS is similar to the way we supported and maintained IBM Maximo Application Suite in releases earlier than 8.7.  The Long Term Support release is for systems that demand the highest levels of stability. Updates during the support period contain fixes to identified problems and vulnerabilities and currency support updates for underlying software dependencies.

CD stands for Continuous Delivery. The CD releases add new features to IBM Maximo Application Suite on a regular cadence.  CD releases are intended for customers wanting to leverage the latest features and capabilities without waiting for the next long term support release cycle. Fixes are only provided on the LTS and the two most recent CD Releases.

                          Q. What's the frequency of LTS and CD releases? A. The exact duration between releases is not fixed but the expected frequency is CD releases approximately every 6 months with one CD release nominated as LTS every 12 months.

                          Q. How are LTS releases identified? A. LTS releases will be identified in the announcement letter for the target release.

                          Q. Do I need a different license to install LTS or CD releases? A. No. Both types of release are covered by the same license.

                          Q. Where do I obtain an LTS or CD installation? A. All LTS and CD releases are installed in the same way. Both types are available through Passport Advantage.

                          Q. How do I raise a problem with an LTS or CD release? A. There is no change to how problems are raised for IBM Maximo Application Suite in this model. As before any problems requiring IBM investigation can have a Case raised through the IBM support portal.

                          Q. How are fixes delivered for an LTS release? A. As previously, if a fix is required for an LTS release, where possible, IBM provides a fix for the level of LTS installed on your system. While an LTS release is in support, identified fixes are rolled up into maintenance updates and made available at regular intervals.

                          Q. How are fixes delivered for a CD release? A. If a fix is required for a CD release, we aim to deliver it in the next CD or LTS release. For urgent resolution of problems, a fix can be provided for a CD release while it remains one of the two most recent CD releases. A new CD release contains fixes identified since the previous CD release.

                          Q. What features do you see in a CD release? A. New features are delivered in each CD release. By the nature of the regular delivery, large features might be delivered across multiple CD releases, increasing the extent of the feature each time.

                          Q. Will new features be the same from one CD release to another? A. Potentially not. CD releases provide new capabilities as rapidly as possible, which might mean that a feature delivered in one CD release is improved in a subsequent CD release, based on further development or user feedback. This might change the external administration and behavior of a new feature. For this reason, some migration work might be required when new CD features are enabled.

                          Q. How do I identify if a feature is liable to change under subsequent CD releases? A. The documentation of the feature indicates whether this feature is only available through CD releases and therefore liable to change.

                          Q. Are all the new features in a CD release supported? A. Yes, if you choose to use any new feature, support is provided through the standard methods. If any fix is required, it is delivered as previously described.

                          Q. Do new features change from one LTS release to another? A. No. After features are delivered in an LTS release every effort is made to maintain the external administration and behavior of the features available, in the same way as done in the past.

                          Q. Will you provide backward migration capability after migrating from an LTS to a CD release? A. No. Installations updated to a new release cannot go backwards. Before moving to a CD Release consider taking a backup of the LTS installation that could be restored.

                          Q. Can I roll back a CD installation to an earlier CD release or LTS release? A. No. It is not possible to roll back any CD installation.

                          Q. Can I roll back an LTS release to an earlier CD release? A. No. It is not possible to roll back to a CD installation.