Extending the life of data and physical assets is not only cost-effective but also supports sustainability goals, according to IBM executives who highlighted how the Maximo Application Suite helps organizations optimize maintenance and performance.
“When we say we want to ‘extend the life of an asset,’ we are talking about keeping it working well for as long as possible, or what they call its ‘effective life,’” said Stan Smith, product leader for IBM Maximo Application Suite. “That means making sure it runs efficiently and doesn’t break down too early.”
Most manufacturers provide recommended maintenance schedules, which can already help prolong an asset’s lifespan. IBM Maximo builds on that with artificial intelligence (AI) that supports maintenance, inspection, and reliability of critical equipment.
Unlike traditional systems that follow routine checkups, IBM Maximo monitors an asset’s actual condition in real time.
“That kind of monitoring lets you make smarter decisions about what maintenance or repairs to do,” Smith said.
Smith added that even basic analytics and machine learning can help by identifying trends in how equipment wears down.
“Now take that idea and apply it to industrial machines, like turbines or compressors,” said Neeraj Gupta, principal asset management sales leader at IBM Technology, Asia Pacific. “These are expensive, and companies usually plan to replace them after a certain number of years. But if they’re maintained properly and used as intended, those machines can keep working longer.”
For companies, this means they can delay large capital expenses by extending the life of key equipment.
One such company is Meralco PowerGen Corp., which adopted IBM Maximo to improve management of its critical assets, reduce downtime, and enhance data-driven decisions across its power generation operations.
MGEN operates a diverse power generation portfolio that utilizes advanced, highly efficient, and low-carbon technologies. It is currently present in 12 provinces in the Philippines, utilizing solar, thermal, and LNG in its energy portfolio.
IBM’s tool gave the company faster access to asset data and better planning for maintenance and reliability. MGEN now has a unified view of its asset performance and can use both real-time and historical data to guide decisions.
The use of AI, including generative AI, also helps predict how and when assets may degrade, leading to more precise maintenance recommendations. In addition to cost savings, this approach supports sustainability by reducing the need to frequently replace equipment.
Gupta noted that IBM Maximo is not limited to large companies. A software-as-a-service (SaaS) version is available, allowing even small and medium-sized businesses to use the platform.
“This removes the need for hardware or deep technical knowledge, allowing even small businesses to use a top-tier product at an affordable price,” he said.
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