How to load data in Maximo the simple way using MIF and data loader ?

The first thing to start for a Maximo project is data collection templates and the data loading part.Most of the clients have data in excel sheets or CSVs, but the format is not as per the maximo acceptable format.

I have worked for various clients, and used Maximo object structures extensively to generate templates.

There are two ways currently, to do data load in Maximo :
First we need to get a template out of maximo so that it can be given to client and it can be
reimported with the client’s data.To do this, lets generate a default template.

One of the most popular ways is with MIF and another is with the data loader tools.
We will discuss both in detail, lets start with MIF First.

Using Maximo Integration framework called MIF

Identify the object that need to be exported. e.g PERSON

Go to Object structures in external systems and create an Object structure for PERSON.

Attach it to a publish channel and attach that publish channel to an External System.


Lets change the End point to a flat file handler so that exported CSV can be located on the file system.
Make sure you give existing path on the drive , if linux – please check if path exists.



After all this , make sure you have configured the sequential queues and the JMSSEQCONSUMER Cron task is active.



Configuring queues is out of scope of this article, please refer the ibm guides for configuring queues on websphere or weblogic.




Now to export the maximo data go to –> publish channel –>Data export button
Choose selector 1=1 to export all data.


Now go to the file system where your flat file end point will send the data.


Now you will get a CSV file and , you can remove the first line and save it in excel in CSV format. Now this is ready to be served to client for data collection.
Similarly do this for all objects for master data collection.
Once clients provides data back in these templates, use the enterprise service for the same object structure and import it back.
Use the same path , except that while pushing out data you need publish channel and while pulling in maximo, you will need Enterprise service.

Another fast way to get up and running with working data templates for maximo in no time is via MXLoader tool. I recently came across this tool and thought of documenting it.

Data load via MXLOADER

Download this xl based tool from
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/groups/community/MxLoader
User guide

Enter the details of your maximo server in the config sheet of this tool.


Enter server details and click test connection.
If the test succeeds, the connection is established and you are ready to query maximo resources via the excel sheets. No need to touch any MIF components like Publish channel/ES/External Systems.


Now open the person object from the import sheets button, this tool comes with two kool buttons on the top
Execute the action and try a new template button.


So lets open a new person template which will bring prepopulated PERSON fields.



Import administration – people ( this will automatically be mapped to person table in maximo via the object structure, you need not do any thing here because it will use OOB structure)




Now click on the run button on the top of the sheet and it will fetch the records from maximo.


Results will be displayed and you will have ready made xl sheets ready to be imported to maximo.
One observation i would like to share with you guys , this can be a tip and life saver if you getting engaged with a client soon for the data loading activities.
Before giving this sheet to client and after getting the filled sheet back from client.
Always make sure first row of this sheet doesn’t contain any special character, else you will not be able to use the same template in the MXloader tool.
You can use XL trim or format options to detect any special character, i found out using notepad ++ –>View—>show all symbols options.

I was scratching my head for a long time on whey, the fields are not getting data from the loader tool.
Also, you will be able to create custom sheets in this tool as long as your object structures you specify in header is present in Maximo.
This tool’s import option has lot of custom sheets, OS for those sheets won’t be available for Maximo, you will have to create them yourself.
In next post I will cover , how to load data from multiple objects in one sheet, lets say Asset+Asset meter/ Job plan with tasks / PM with job plans .. all in one sheet.

Keep reading !