The cloud solutions are one of the most talked topic among the clients looking for upgrade. One of them are PeopleSoft clients who look forward for upgrade path to Cloud solutioning. The basic thought that strikes when we think of moving from PeopleSoft to cloud solutions are "Should we upgrade to PeopleSoft 9.2 version" or "Should we move to a coexistence" or "Should we completely move to cloud"
There is no definite choice to make and the answer to this question varies from Individual client and the nature of industry. Moving to cloud directly may have challenges as compared to moving in a phased manner or upgrading to the 9.2 version based on the business needs.
Upgrading to the latest version 9.2
One approach could be to
upgrade to PeopleSoft 9.2 and utilize the key features offered (listed below)
to the maximum. PeopleSoft is a robust product thus with these key highlights
it is predestined to stay for at least few more years. Below are the highlights:
PUM (PeopleSoft Update Manager): it is the lifecycle management process available for 9.2 applications only. It basically intent to keep the customers updated on the application patching and further lowers the cost of application maintenance.
Typically, it takes 2-3 years to wait for new functionalities to be introduced in the next version of the product however with PeopleSoft upgrade manager the clients can adopt new functionality and enhancements/upgrades within few weeks. Moreover, along with PeopleSoft selective adoption approach the total cost of the on-premise solution ownership reduces manifolds.
PeopleSoft Fluid User Interface: This is another table turner in the new release which supports PeopleSoft pages to adapt to almost all mobile devices. With the emergence and widespread usage of mobile devices the PeopleSoft applications need to run on a varied range of such devices. Thus with this feature, whenever you open the application from a mobile device the page shrinks to fit the screen size of the respective device. It enables enhanced mobility and faster time to value.
The functionality facilitates the organizations to set up applications to different devices which are used for the application access in a way that the content of the PeopleSoft page resizes and adapts to the screen size of the browser window.
Hence with limited customization, an upgrade to PeopleSoft 9.2 can give cost effective solutions for the organization.
Coexistence
The other approach could be the coexistence of existing ERP system and Oracle Fusion applications which typically implies that adopting cloud in a phased manner. In this scenario both the technologies can share the platform and can coexist and deliver business values for the organization. This in turn reduces IT investments and enables customer organizations to leverage best in-class system. They can further build and design an incremental adoption road-map to adopt Oracle Fusion without going through a major change.
In the HCM range example could be adopting only the Fusion talent management along with the existing ERP. This will help in keeping the base data in the existing ERP intact while leveraging on the cloud platform features Dashboard reporting, Talent review, Social networking.
A coexistence example in the Financials can be adopting Oracle Fusion Accounting hub with the existing ERP.
Another example could be adopting the Procurement Solution selectively (Supplier management, Contract Management, Strategic Sourcing and Procurement) with the existing ERP for the other business processes.
Thus to conclude, traversing a path from PeopleSoft to Cloud can be in a phased manner and we should adopt the technology in a way that it is aligned to the business needs and the Organization goals. This will help the customers to explore all the product functionalities offered in a cost effective manner.