Navigating JD Edwards Product Support

A Brief History of JD Edwards

JD Edwards’s legacy began in 1977 as an idea from founders Ed McVaney, Jack Thompson, and Dan Gregory. The original intent was to create solutions for IBM, but the need for more in the market eventually evolved into the product we see today. JD Edwards World was the first release, catering to IBM’s AS/400 platform.

JD Edwards then took a risk in the mid-1990s with the release of the client-server-based OneWorld. This was ultimately a successful innovation and helped lead to the company going public in 1997. The momentum continued when PeopleSoft stepped in to acquire to company in 2003, effectively merging OneWorld with PeopleSoft’s line of products to deliver an entirely new product: EnterpriseOne. This is where JD Edwards would remain until Oracle acquired PeopleSoft in 2005, where EnterpriseOne was integrated into Oracle’s existing suite of applications.

Oracle has continued to support JD Edwards EnterpriseOne since the acquisition. Part of that commitment was rewriting the solution for the cloud and delivering constant product updates.

Understanding JD Edwards Support Across Several Product Versions

Unfortunately for customers, there are several versions of JD Edwards that are at very different places on the support roadmap. This variation can make it difficult to find the information you need when it comes time to upgrade.

JD Edwards World

The oldest version of JD Edwards surprisingly received a boost under Oracle. To support existing customers on the World AS/400 product line, Oracle released World version A9.4 and extended support through 2025. As of May 1^st, 2025, Oracle has moved World A9.4 into the “sustaining support” level. With the move, customers will no longer receive product updates for regulatory compliance or new features. Nor will they receive hotfixes for major issues. Below is a breakdown of World’s version support:

Premier Support

• 3 ended December 2013
• 1 ended December 2013
• 1 ended April 2012
• 2 ended April 2014
• 2.1 ended May 2015
• 3 ended March 2017
• 4 ended May 2025

Extended Support

• 3 unavailable
• 1 unavailable
• 1 ended April 2015
• 2 ended April 2017
• 2.1 ended May 2018
• 3 ended March 2020
• 4 unavailable

All versions are currently under sustaining support, which has an indefinite timeline. However, Oracle reserves the right to end support at any time, at their discretion. Without essential updates or hotfixes offered under Premier or Extended support, the legacy system puts the business at risk. Customers on World should be actively evaluating their options for a path forward to ensure their system is viable for years to come.

JD Edwards OneWorld to EnterpriseOne

While the earliest versions of OneWorld have long since been retired, version OneWorld Xe, released in 2000 as only the second release of the product, was actively supported by Oracle until 2013. Oracle made this decision following its acquisition of PeopleSoft, to alleviate concerns among the public that Oracle was going to force migrations onto other products.

It can be difficult to find support information for “OneWorld” specifically because it has been recognized under a couple of names over the years. After PeopleSoft’s acquisition of JD Edwards, OneWorld Xe was rebranded to EnterpriseOne. Today, EnterpriseOne offers the only actively supported version.  

Premier Support

• OneWorld Xe ended December 2013
• EnterpriseOne 8 ended December 2013
• EnterpriseOne 8.9 ended September 2008
• EnterpriseOne 8.10 ended June 2009
• EnterpriseOne 8.11 ended December 2009
• EnterpriseOne 8.12 ended April 2011
• EnterpriseOne 9.0 ended November 2015
• EnterpriseOne 9.1 ended March 2017
• EnterpriseOne 9.2 available through 2032

Extended Support

• OneWorld Xe unavailable
• EnterpriseOne 8 unavailable
• EnterpriseOne 8.9 unavailable
• EnterpriseOne 8.10 unavailable
• EnterpriseOne 8.11 ended December 2012
• EnterpriseOne 8.12 ended April 2014
• EnterpriseOne 9.0 ended November 2018
• EnterpriseOne 9.1 ended March 2020

All versions of OneWorld and EnterpriseOne are now under sustaining support with the exception of EnterpriseOne version 9.2. Versions under sustaining support will no longer receive essential hotfixes or product updates.

Version 9.2’s active support ensures the product receives continuous updates, hotfixes, and necessary regulatory compliance. Oracle also announced version 9.2 would enter “Continuous Delivery.” Under this policy, customers can receive important enhancements and updates without going through a full product upgrade. That move allowed Oracle to extend support through 2032.

What Does This Mean for JD Edwards Customers?

Customers on versions of JD Edwards under sustaining support should be actively considering their options forward. Without full support, your business is at risk of lack of compliance or system failure.

Fortunately, there are options from Oracle as well as outside solutions to meet your needs. Customers choosing to upgrade with Oracle can move to the supported version of EnterpriseOne 9.2. However, depending on the version you are currently on, this process can become more of an overhaul than a simple upgrade. Most product versions don’t have a straight line to EnterpriseOne 9.2, so customers must upgrade to a version with a direct path, which are versions EnterpriseOne 9.0 and 9.1. This creates an additional layer of complexity. From there, customers can upgrade to a cloud version of EnterpriseOne. While this may be a great path for many, it will not be the “one-size-fits-all” solution.

If you are in a position where you need to upgrade, it is worth exploring all options available on the market. You have likely been on your instance of JD Edwards for 20+ years. During that time, your business has likely changed substantially, and JD Edwards may no longer be right for your business. Consider working with an independent ERP consultant to evaluate all your paths forward and align your needs with the right application. If you need help, reach out to the experts at ERP Advisors Group to schedule a free consultation!