XML Publisher for Oracle PeopleSoft - Part 1

Oracle has integrated Oracle's XML Publisher with PeopleSoft applications. It is a very promising technology, which enhances the PeopleSoft products. One of the main challenge for PeopleSoft applications was integrating the client application with the server technology.

With the introduction of XML Publisher Oracle has succeeded in integrating these two.

What is XML Publisher?

With the use of XML Publisher Oracle has seperated the data extraction and presentation. The data extraction may require the developer help, but data presentation such as formating the report can be handled by the user. It is just like formating the word document.

Details follow...............

Setup manager for Oracle PeopleSoft

Oracle PeopleSoft delivers setup manager which makes the management of configuration tasks very easy. It will list all the tasks that is needed to configure the product as per the functionality you are looking for. This will tell you what are the required setups and optional steps. This is very useful in an implementation project and the project manager need not maintain any excel sheet to list the configuration.
I think PeopleSoft delivered setup manager with 8.9 version.

How to use setup manager in Oracle PeopleSoft?

Navigation: Home>> People Tools>> Setup manager
Step 1. Go to setup manager>>Manage Implementation tasks
Select the features you want in the product
Save it and press 'generate set up tasks'. You can monitor the status of the process in the process monitor. Once the process is complete you can see the set up tasks under 'Manage implementation tasks'. The view link will list all the set up tasks and the sequence. Also there will be a '?' icon which is a help link to Peoplebooks.

Third party Support for Oracle PeopleSoft applications

With the acquisition of PeopleSoft by Oracle lot of third party companies came up with the support for PeopleSoft applications. The main third party vendor for PeopleSoft application was TomorrowNow (http://www.tomorrownow.com/). Later Oracle's rival SAP (http://www.sap.com/) acquired TomorrowNow with a strategy of attracting PeopleSoft customers. But with the Oracle's law suit against Tomorrownow really weakened SAP's strategy. Recently the top executives of Tomorrownow were replaced. The news is that SAP is planning to sell Tomorrownow.There is another third party vendor for PeopleSoft applications-RiminiStreet . They recently announced the support for Oracle PeopleSoft campus solutions 9.0 version. They provide support for PeopleSoft versions 8 onwards. They are offering support for your entire PeopleSoft application including custom modules, which the Oracle will not give.
Another third party application support provider is http://www.netcustomer.com/. They are supporting PeopleSoft applications for the last four years.I am not sure how the third party support will work as they have to give support very similar to Oracle- including fixes and regulatory updates for the Product.

Oracle PeopleSoft future direction

Recently I got a chance to explore Oracle PeopleSoft 9.0 version. I am very much impressed by Oracle's approach for PeopleSoft product line. In order to retain the Customers they recently announced Application unlimited strategy. Oracle is commited to release new versions of PeopleSoft and Support also will continue, which is a happy news for the industry as well as the people who are working PeopleSoft. :) Read more about this at http://www.oracle.com/applications/applications-unlimited.html . The customers are happy because of the return for their investment. Oracle is trying incorporate Oracle's technology with PeopleSoft product line. XML publisher is the best example for this. This is a good sign as far as the Product is concerned.
My IT career was mostly in PeopleSoft and I am really impressed with the new release of Oracle PeopleSoft version 9.0. Previously I was working Oracle PeopleSoft version 8.8SP1. I have worked as developer as well as functional consultant. As far as the development is concerned, the technology is mature now. Oracle is trying to incorporate more Object oriented concept in the programming side. Eventhough I was aware that there is application package even in new versions I never got a chance to explore it. I am trying to explore the ePerformance module in version 9.0. This is an amazing module and I am really stumped by the capabilities of the Product. More to follow............