Saturday, February 03, 2007

PeopleSoft to Fusion - "The Gaps"

I did write about the PeopleCode to Java switch, which might prove difficult in convincing the customers for a switch from PeopleSoft to fusion. But the real problem - PeopleSoft is a product that evolved over a period of Fifteen years - I'll discuss this in detail later. ERP products like PeopleSoft are bought and implemented by big corporations, these companies might not think too much about the Training Costs for the workforce or the new implementation costs, instead they might need their business processes intact after a switch – These guys are demanding!

Fusion development currently lays way too much focus on better architecture, tools and consolidation of best processes. I might have started believing that the Fusion Toolset will be one of the Best in the industry (We might see the Process monitor Page get refreshed automatically when the process status changes!) – If I were a Fusion Sales executive, I will imagine tough times, convincing the Customers to buy an ERP for better Toolset (As the current Toolsets are not way too behind). The customers will be more concerned about the GAPS the new product will bring to his business processes.

PeopleSoft's evolution over a period of 15 years made it stronger, this will be the case with Fusion. The GAPS that I expect is because of this evolution time. Hence, I believe that it might be till version 5 of Fusion that we will not see these GAPS reducing. Oracle’s plans of continued Development of Fusion might come to an end when Oracle realizes this problem - Only when the evolution stops can Fusion have a chance at reducing the PeopleSoft-Fusion GAP.

These are my expectations – 1. PeopleSoft will stay intact till 2015 as customers might not prefer a switch until that time. 2. No major enhancements after PeopleSoft v9.1 (As Oracle will eventually realize the pitfalls of continued development by the time PeopleSoft v9.1 becomes available).