Use Case: AI-Powered Legacy Java-to-Maximo Automation Script Conversion with IBM Bob

DEMO

AI-Powered Legacy Java-to-Maximo Automation Script Conversion with IBM Bob

Accelerates IBM Maximo modernization by using IBM Bob to assist in converting legacy Java customizations into Maximo automation scripts, reducing manual conversion effort and simplifying long-term customization maintenance.

Building Blocks used:

automation.operate

Skills used

Download skills for IBM Bob →

maximo-java-conversion

Products Used

1 Review use case

IBM Maximo implementations often contain legacy Java customizations developed to support specialized business requirements. Over time, maintaining these customizations can become challenging due to code complexity, upgrade considerations, and dependency on specialized Java and Maximo development expertise. Manually analyzing existing Java implementations and recreating their functionality as Maximo automation scripts can require significant time and effort.

This demo showcases AI-assisted legacy Java customization conversion using IBM Bob and a reusable Maximo-specific building block, Maximo-java-conversion. The solution assists developers in analyzing existing Java customization logic and generating corresponding Maximo automation script implementations.

The demo demonstrates how the conversion workflow can help developers understand legacy code, map existing business logic to the automation scripting model, and accelerate the creation of maintainable Maximo customizations. Developers can review the original Java implementation alongside the generated automation script to assess the conversion and identify any required adjustments.

By combining IBM Bob's AI-assisted development capabilities with reusable Maximo-specific conversion patterns, the solution helps Maximo developers, solution architects, and implementation partners reduce manual conversion effort and simplify legacy customization maintenance. The approach supports Maximo modernization initiatives by encouraging maintainable implementations while retaining the required business behavior. Generated scripts must be reviewed, functionally validated, and tested in a non-production environment before deployment.

Start Here

Watch this short overview

Preview the application

Explore key screens from the demo

2 Try the interactive application

Experience the interactive demo and explore its features. A demo script is provided to help when presenting the application to partners.

Have questions, want a walkthrough or found a bug?

Contact the demo owner for assistance.

Submit a request →

3 Explore how it was built

The solution combines IBM Bob with a reusable Maximo-specific building block, Maximo-java-conversion, to assist in converting legacy Java customizations into Maximo automation scripts. A developer provides the Java implementation and identifies the intended business behavior. IBM Bob applies the conversion instructions and patterns implemented in the building block to assist in generating a corresponding automation script. The developer reviews the generated code against the original implementation, identifies any dependencies or required adjustments, and validates the functional behavior in the target Maximo environment. IBM Maximo Manage remains the target application platform. The solution aims to reduce manual conversion effort and improve the maintainability of legacy customizations while keeping developers responsible for code review, testing, and deployment approval.

Architecture

4 Download and modify with IBM Bob

Download the source code and specifications for this application to set up and run it locally. Once downloaded, open the code in IBM Bob to modify and adapt it to your own use case.

Source Code

Step 1 — Introduce the legacy customization challenge

Explain that existing Maximo implementations may contain Java customizations created to satisfy specialized business requirements. Maintaining these customizations and migrating their logic into more maintainable implementations can require considerable developer effort.

Step 2 — Open the Java conversion demo

Introduce IBM Bob and the reusable Maximo-java-conversion building block. Select a representative legacy Java customization to demonstrate the conversion workflow.

Step 3 — Review the original Java implementation

Explain the purpose of the code, its key business rules, and its dependencies on Maximo APIs or application objects. Establish which behaviors must be preserved during conversion.

Step 4 — Run the AI-assisted conversion

Use the conversion building block to assist in generating a corresponding Maximo automation script. Explain how the solution helps translate the existing logic into the scripting model used by Maximo.

Step 5 — Compare the source and generated code

Review the original Java implementation alongside the generated automation script. Highlight how the main business logic is represented and identify any dependencies or constructs that require manual adjustment.

Step 6 — Validate the converted implementation

Explain that developers must review the generated script, confirm compatibility with the target Maximo environment, and test the business behavior in a non-production environment. AI-generated code should not be treated as production-ready without validation.

Step 7 — Summarize the business value

Close by highlighting reduced manual conversion effort, improved maintainability, and the potential to simplify legacy Maximo customizations. Explain how the reusable building block can be adapted to other conversion scenarios where the source code and target automation model are suitable.