POWER Systems? There’s an app for that.

Edit: Do you run the app?

Originally posted March 15, 2016 on AIXchange

It seems like there’s an app for everything related to your Power hardware these days. There’s myHMC Mobile (which I covered here), along with the IBM Redbooks Mobile App. And now there’s the IBM Technical Support Mobile App (available for Android and iPhone):

“The IBM Technical Support mobile app lets clients worldwide quickly and easily access key technical support content and functions for all IBM software and hardware products.

You can use the app to:

  • Expedite troubleshooting by searching for, viewing, and bookmarking technical support content like technotes, APARs, documentation, and Redbooks.
  • View and update your software and hardware Service Request tickets whenever and wherever you need to.
  • Discover the best fixes for your system and email the fix orders using the Fix Level Recommendation Tool.
  • Look up warranty information for hardware systems by scanning the bar code or entering the Machine Type/Serial Number.
  • View Customer Support Plans for your products.
  • Contact IBM, with geo-location assistance and click-to-call.
  • Provide feedback about the app through its Feedback form.”

Installing the app on my Android phone was simple enough. I searched Google Play for IBM Technical Support and it came right up. It did need to access to quite a few permissions. I never know why apps need access to my camera or my photos and files, but I accepted everything so I could test it out.

There are quite a few options on the main page, things like support content where you can search for whatever you need. For a test I just entered S822 and quite a few useful items came back. Being able to do these quick, simple lookups could certainly be handy whenever I’m on a raised floor.

There’s a menu option for service requests. I signed in with my IBM ID and was able to view my open software requests, hardware requests, etc. By selecting Full Site, I was able to open a new PMR from my phone.

Features include support videos, questions and answers (which brings you to IBM developerWorks forums), customer support plans and warranty lookup (where you can scan your server’s bar code). When I entered my machine type and serial number, I received info about my warranty status and system expiration date, along with parts that were shipped with the system.

There’s a menu item that takes you to FLRT LITE. Another option lets you change your settings and language. There are also options to provide feedback and contact IBM.

I found the back button would take me out of the app more often that I liked, but hopefully over time this will be addressed. Overall, I expect I’ll legitimately use this a lot — and I’m not a person who downloads a ton of apps.

If you’ve downloaded and tried the IBM Technical Support Mobile App, let me know what you think.