Challenges of Effectively Upgrading

to Release 12.1

Martha Ho
Director, Support Services

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Agenda
 Highlights of New Features and Functions
 Technical Changes Encountered
 Migration Approach
 Challenges Overcome
 Lessons Learned
 Reference Pointers
 Desupport Notice
 Questions

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Highlights of New Features and
Functions
Oracle Compensation Workbench Oracle Time and Labor
 View Performance Appraisals from CWB • Supervisor Timesheet Dashboard
• Audit Trail Report
 Anniversary/Award Date Based Plans • Recent Timecard Screen
 Mass Print Total Comp Statements • New Projects/Project-Payroll Timecard
 Enhanced Individual Compensation Distribution • Default Time Period
(ICD) • Save Timecard Without Hours
• Default Approval Action

Oracle Learning Management Oracle Performance Management

 Learner Groups • Cascading Objectives
 Mandatory Enrollments • Off-Line Appraisals
• Performance Management Administrator
 Learner Attachments
 Class Evaluation Oracle Advanced Benefits
 Cascading Objectives • Enforce Minimum Enrollment for Life Events with No
Electable
• Restrict Display of Primary Care Provider
Oracle iRecruitment • Enhance Individual Contribution Distribution
 Employee Referrals
Oracle Human Resources
 Interview Management • Automating actions thru Checklists
 Recruitment Communications • Global Deployments
 Recruitment Dashboard • Multiple Organization Access Control

Oracle Succession Planning – new product

Oracle Payroll
 New concurrent program - Purge Event Process

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Highlights of New Features and
Functions
Oracle Accounts Receivables Oracle Accounts Payables
• Discount Calculation Enhancement
 Cash Application Work Queue • Subcontractor Management
 Enhanced Line Level Cash Application • Recent Timecard Screen
 Enhance Performance for high Volume • New Projects/Project-Payroll Timecard
Receivables Processing • Default Time Period
• Save Timecard Without Hours
• Default Approval Action
Oracle Advanced Collections
 Customer Dispute Enhancement Oracle Projects
• Federal Budgetary Accounting for Project
 Customer Level Bankruptcy
Expenditures
 Status Assignment at Case and Contract Level • Contingency Worker Clearing Projects
• Additional Project Information to OTL
Oracle Fixed Assets • Supplier Payment Control
 N/A

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Technical Changes
ATG:
• New tech stack now includes Oracle Database 11.1.0.7, JDK6, Application
Server(Java) 10.1.3.4, Application Server (Forms/Reports) 10.1.2.3 etc.
• Various enhancements to AutoConfig tool like Search utility, Inventory
Validation report etc and enhanced support for DMZ, load balancing, etc.

Oracle Application Framework:

• Record History- OAF now allows viewing WHO columns information
• BI Publisher (erstwhile XML Publisher) Integration - A personalizable
"Print" button for OAF pages.
• Flexfield References enhanced support- Now, R12.1 gives similar
functionality as Forms UI for referencing other fields as part of flexfields.
• Bulk Attachments- Bulk upload and web services/API support for
document attachments.
• Middle tier Data sorting - Now supports sorting of table data in middle
tier instead of database in order to improve performance

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Technical Changes
 AOL: FNDLOAD now supports BLOB data
 SOA: New functionality supporting SOA components for easier integration/monitoring
 Diagnostics Framework: Many functionality changes to Oracle Diagnostics
• It’s a free-of-cost license product and useful for technical resources.
 SES: Full text search capability on Oracle EBS data (both structured and unstructured)
• Many enhancements which include Work Flow notifications, Business Objects, etc.
 UMX: Who, What, Why, How (W3H) questions are now answered with 360 degree view of
the Security system
 The storage of Guest user information is moved from a profile option
(GUEST_USER_PWD) to the vault (for security purpose)

• The product teams should be aware of this change and they need to modify their code
appropriately to refer to this new storage to get GUEST user information

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Project 101
 Define the project plan including detailed tasks, dates, dependencies
and assignments
 Establish the project team including roles & responsibilities
 Provide progress reports
 Notify management of requirements for resources in order to provide
sufficient lead time for resources to be made available
 Make timely decisions regarding the project priorities in order to
minimize disruption and cost overruns on the project
 Review work products at milestones for time, quality and accuracy

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Leverage Proven Migration Tools

• Easipath Migration Method (EMM)

– Oracle’s Upgrade Methodology

Understand Plan Execute

Migration Update
Transition Production
Assessment & Test

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

High Level Approach
1. Migration Assessment
2. Test migration 1
a) Application testing and perform new functionality workshop
3. Test migration 2
a) Incorporate change
4. Application testing and User Acceptance Test
a) End to End testing
b) Monthly close cycle testing
c) Year End/Year Begin scenarios
5. Benchmark (DBA Choreography) migration
6. Transition and Production migration
7. Production support – post-upgrade support
a) Include one monthly close cycle

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Migration Assessment
 Take time to understand the business processes, functions, and
features in use
 Review the existing application configuration and technical
environment
 Map the business requirements to the new features and functions
available
 Develop solutions for the gaps that result of the review
 Evaluate remediation necessary for any customizations
 Delta Workshops
• Interactive sessions with key functional users outlining the opportunities and
requirements for implementing mapped functional enhancements within each
module
• Results in a better understanding of how the business processes may function
in Release 12
• Facilitates scope, priorities, approach and timeline

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Test Migrations
Test Migration 1
• First iteration of the upgrade
• Delta Training
• Identify changes that need to be accounted for
• Define and implement the configuration for necessary features/functions
• Update/Create Test Scripts

Test Migration 2
• Second iteration to repeat and validate the steps documented in first iteration
• Add the appropriate steps performed as a result of Test Migration 1 Missed steps,
patches, etc.
• Define and implement the configuration for necessary features/functions
• Finalize and Execute Test Scripts

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Test Migrations
Test Migration 3 (DBA Choreography - Optional)
• Prepare source and target environment
• Execute Upgrade of Database to latest level
• Apply relevant module Patches
• Install required customizations
• Completely timed and usually performed 24x7
• Best view into what production migration will look like
• Allows for a potential final system verification test

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Transition and Production Cutover
Transition and Production Cutover
• Prepare Production environment
• Execute Upgrade of Database to latest level
• Perform Upgrade
• Apply relevant module Patches
• Apply Customizations

Production Support
• Post Production Support

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Major Technical Upgrade Overview
Major Technical Upgrade Steps
• Plan Upgrade (Test & Production Environments)
• Install technology stack
• Perform Pre-upgrade steps
• Migrate Database to New Platform
• Upgrade Oracle Applications to R12
• Configure Middle-Tier Server
• Install and test Client Desktops
• Perform Post-Upgrade steps
• Document Upgrade Approach
• Repeat above steps for Production Cutover

Perform Post Upgrade Steps

• Configure SSL and DMZ - if applicable
• Complete setup for Oracle XML Gateway
• Functional Delta Setups
• Verify custom environment and configuration

Document Upgrade Approach/Issues/Notes

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Functional Upgrade Overview

Major Functional Upgrade Steps

• Review & update existing Application setups
• Update application setup documentation
• Train key users on R12 functionality
• Assist key users perform business system testing
• Provide post-production cutover support

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Issues Encountered
 From 11i to R12 Implementations/Configurations are necessary:
• Payment Manager
• eBusiness Tax
• Advanced Collections as necessary
 Remediation of CEMLi’s needed
 Contingent worker time not transferring to Projects.
 Closing all projects and recreating with the new Project Type of contingent worker
enabled was not an option.
 When updating employee bank account information received errors.
• Parameter Bank Branch ID required
• The external bank account already exists
 When reimbursing expenses, our NACHA lines are .01 off randomly, we have to audit the
NACHA file manually against a payment export

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Issues Encountered (cont’d)
 Project Name and Task Name not appearing on the timecard was not working
under 12.1.1.

 The output from the Format Payments from the NACHA payments processing
produced an error at the bottom stating: Payments cannot be marked
complete because an error was returned by the callout
AP_PMT_CALLOUT_PKG.payments_completed

• Resolved: We had to remove the documents from the setup and add them back in.

 When selecting the Payment Process Profile of the Standard Check Format in
the Created Printed Payment process, we ended up with no LOV in the
Payment Document field, where we should have seen two values, which is a
required field.

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Issues Encountered (cont’d)
 Enabling of SOA Gateway fails on a R12.1 upgraded instance as compared to
a fresh installation of R12.1. Issue fixed in upgraded instance by manually
deploying the AppsSOA Adapter

 Configuration of Oc4j components failed when upgrading the Forms home to

10.1.2.3.

• These were safely ignored as this home is not used for application services

 Check constraint error when running the maintenance pack.

• Ignored the error and fixed it later after the upgrade

 Custom java code using "import oracle.jdbc.driver.Oracle" had to be changed

to “import oracle.jdbc.Oracle“ to be compiled successfully

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

R12 Upgrade – Lessons Learned
 HCM minimal issues in upgrading from Release 11i to Release 12
• Most of the issues encountered were with Financials/Projects
 Ensure proper buy-in from all stakeholders
 Thorough and multiple iteration of testing reduced post production issues
 Ensure a detailed patch inventory
 You will raise SR’s, call the Duty Manager, and escalate and lower severities
throughout the upgrade
• First person responding to the SR’s may rarely be the person that resolves the
problem
• Do not underestimate the time to resolve SR’s
• The error message you get may not be the real issue or simply may not be of much
assistance in troubleshooting
• Antagonizing support analysts will not help get your Sev 1 SR resolved, tenacity,
having the details available and as appropriate, managing the escalation path will
help
• Most of issues were resolved with time and patches
• TEST ALL PATCHES

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

R12 Upgrade – Lessons Learned (cont’d)
 New modules did have to be implemented for the Financials Suite
• Clean-up your tax setup before the upgrade
• Make sure all interfaces are cleared
 Don’t underestimate the training on R12 and any new feature introduced
• Navigation
• New modules/potential changes to end user day to day process handling
 Remediation necessary
• Reports are all XML based in R12
• There are implications of the new R12 technology stack on
customizations
 Close out any open Workflow transactions, leave no transactions in transit
 Ensure to stop any pending or scheduled concurrent manager processes

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Reference Pointers
 Never underestimate the use of Metalink and Google to find “living
documents” on Release 12 and upgrading to Release 12:

• Oracle E-Business Suite Release Value Proposition, Release 12.1, Human Capital
Management
• Information on new features and functions
• Oracle Applications Upgrade Guide: Release 11i to Release 12 – Official Guide
• Planning Your E-Business Suite Upgrade from 11i to Release 12.1 - Metalink Note
987516.1
• Contains valuable tips
• Oracle E-Business Suite Upgrade Resources Roadmap - Metalink Note 461705.1
• Best Practices for Adopting E-Business Suite Release 12 - Metalink Note 580299.1
• Oracle Maintenance Wizard – Metalink Note 215527.1
• This analyzes your 11i environment and produces an 11i to R12 upgrade plan
complete with detailed patching recommendations
• Best Practices for Securing Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12 - Metalink Note
403537.1
• Preparing Custom Development for Next Oracle E-Business Suite Release –
Metalink Note 374398.1
• Blogs for recent experiences, additional notes and summary information

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Desupport Highlights
 Premier Support for Oracle Application Server 10gR2 was originally slated to end in
December 2010
• For customers with current support contracts running Oracle Database 10gR2 for
z/Linux, the Extended Support Waiver Period has been extended for one year
• Extended Support will be waived from August 2010 – July 2012

 For the third year of Sustaining Support for Oracle e-Business Suite 11i9 (July 1, 2010 –
June 30, 2011), Oracle will continue to provide fixes for Severity 1 production bugs.
• No legislative updates will be provided, including U.S. Tax Form 1099 updates for
the 2010 tax year

 Extended Support for Release 11i10 requires the minimum baseline patches identified in
Note 883202.1

 All Release 12.0 patches and Critical Patch Updates (CPUs) will only be provided for
Release 12.0.4 and above

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Lifetime Support Policy, Coverage for Oracle
Applications – April, 2010 Chart

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Lifetime Support Policy, Coverage for Oracle
Technology Products – April, 2010 Chart

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

 Questions & Answers
About KBACE Support Services:
As a Worldwide Oracle Certified Advantage Partner (the highest partner distinction
awarded by Oracle), KBACE is committed to delivering quality results.
Provides the mechanism for organizations to draw upon resources on an as needed
basis without incurring the expense of full time employees
Offers a dedicated Service Delivery Manager (SDM) who is responsible for optimizing
support hours, monitoring trends in your support requests, and communicating best
practices to your Oracle team
Typical services include: Training, upgrade support, system
maintenance/administration, task/event outsourcing, and DBA services

Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.

Thank You!
Speaker:
Martha Ho
Director, Support Services
mho@kbace.com

Recording & Presentation:

http://kbace.com/index.php/
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Copyright © 1998 - 2010 KBACE Technologies, Inc.