Ever heard the saying, "Do as I say, not as I do"? It's a common, albeit slightly hypocritical, comeback, that will often elicit a chuckle or possibly an eye roll. Yet, in the realm of Oracle EBS upgrades, especially if you're running version 12.1.x or older, flipping this adage to "Do as Oracle does, not as they say" might be more beneficial.
The Dilemma with Older Oracle EBS Versions
If you're still on an older version of Oracle EBS, you're likely aware that standard support is phasing out. Your choices are:
- Stay put, forfeiting standard support for extended options from Oracle or third parties.
- Switch to an alternative ERP system, like SAP or NetSuite.
- Transition to Oracle Fusion Cloud.
- Upgrade to Oracle EBS 12.2.x.
Decoding Oracle’s Mixed Messages
Most of Oracle's front-facing teams will aggressively promote Fusion Cloud, highlighting its modernity, technical simplicity, and operational efficiency. They might downplay the upgrade to 12.2.x as complex and disruptive, but this isn't necessarily the case. Simply put, they will tell you that it’s a mistake to NOT move to Oracle Fusion Cloud – and it’s probably not.
The Bright Side of Oracle EBS 12.2.x
Contrary to these suggestions, Oracle's EBS Product team is actively enhancing the on-premise EBS platform with new features and innovative capabilities. Upgrading to 12.2.x secures over a decade of Oracle support, offering ample time to plan future steps sensibly. This period of support continues to extend with each new version released. Even those using multiple EBS 12.1.3 setups can upgrade to 12.2.x and strategize for consolidation and process standardization before considering a move to Fusion Cloud.
Oracle’s Actions Vs. Words
There seems to be some inconsistency between Oracle's actions and their advice. While I have my theories (and yes, I love a good conspiracy), field sources seem to confirm them. I am happy to provide further insights if you are looking for them.
Technical Challenges and Solutions
Admittedly, upgrading to 12.2.x has its complexities, especially regarding Online Patch compatibility. And while Oracle's Readiness Reports miss some common object types and raise false alarms, there are solutions.
Expanding your Testing Toolkit
Comprehensive testing of new business processes running within a brand-new product leveraging a brand-new user interface in a new system is critical. Traditional tools like Excel or QC might not suffice scale to keep up with such transformative projects.
You will need an efficient, user-friendly, testing tool that accelerates testing activities, especially when it comes to validating complicated, multi-step business processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oracle EBS 12.2?
Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) version 12.2 is an ERP software platform developed by Oracle Corporation. It is a suite of business applications, capable of integrating multiple modules to support a variety of business operations, from human resources, to supply chain management, customer relationship management and finance.
Why upgrade to EBS 12.2?
Key benefits include ongoing support, enhanced features, improved user experience, online patching, mobile responsiveness, and better performance and scalability, all meeting compliance needs.
When was EBS 12.2 released?
Launched on September 6, 2013, this version introduced significant updates and enhancements. It has been continually improved with subsequent releases like EBS 12.2.12 and 12.2.13 for enhanced stability and performance of the software.
About the Author
Stuart Bierig has been working in the ERP integration and change analytics spaces for over 15 years and in a pre-sales engineering role for over a decade. At Panaya, Stuart focuses on demonstrating how Panaya’s Change Intelligence platform significantly accelerates SAP ECC6, S/4HANA, Oracle EBS, and Salesforce initiatives while minimizing, if not eliminating, go-live risk. Stuart has worked with and listened to customers, prospects, and system integrators across the continent, sharing trials and tribulations, best practices from the field, and trends in the market. Learn more about Oracle testing.