PeopleSoft has been a steadfast product in the ERP industry for almost 40 years, offering a robust platform for Finance, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Customer Relationship Management, and more. Over the years, the product has flourished under Oracle’s ownership and is still actively receiving support from the software giant. But what’s next for PeopleSoft? And how should customers respond to support announcements?
Founded in 1987 by Dave Duffield and Ken Morris, PeopleSoft aimed at automating Human Resources through technology. An entire suite of applications was developed and quickly gained notoriety for its client-server Human Resource Management System after the internet boom in the 1990s.
Over time, significant development was poured into the product, with PeopleSoft developing modules for financials, distribution, and even manufacturing. PeopleSoft was delivering to more markets than ever before and eventually partnered with JD Edwards. In 2003, the two companies made it official by merging and taking their products to the next level. By broadening their scope and reaching new customer bases, the companies flourished.
Only two years later, others had taken notice. In 2005, Oracle acquired JD Edwards and PeopleSoft to build its share of the market in other industries and customer segments. Since the acquisition, Oracle has invested heavily in PeopleSoft and has extended its capabilities and market reach. This includes offering cloud deployment so customers can now receive value from PeopleSoft both on-premises and in the cloud.
Like other legacy products, customers have to pay close attention to announcements being made about PeopleSoft. Fortunately, Oracle has continued to develop and release transparent product support models.
PeopleSoft falls under Oracle’s Continuous Innovation Model. According to Oracle, “With Continuous Innovation, all new functionality is delivered as updates to the existing release; upgrades are not required to gain access to new features and capabilities. All fixes and updates are cumulative and available to all customers in the most current release” (https://www.oracle.com/support/lifetime-support/resources.html).
Oracle has outlined the Premier Support dates under the Continuous Innovation model for each product under the PeopleSoft suite, as outlined below. Oracle moved these products under the Continuous Innovation Model with the 9.2 release.
These are very general guidelines, and special exceptions are outlined at https://www.oracle.com/support/lifetime-support/resources.html. For almost all application releases, sustaining support is indefinite so long as companies are willing to pay for it. All products above fall under the overall PeopleSoft ERP package.
At this time, the following products are actively being supported:
Oracle made the announcement in March 2024 that PeopleSoft support would be extended to maintain the rolling 10 years of support that customers have come to expect. The release solidified, “PeopleSoft continuous delivery releases remain supported for at least 10 years – now through at least 2035” (https://blogs.oracle.com/peoplesoft/post/peoplesoft-support-2035).
PeopleSoft has continued to receive functionality updates year after year, including ways for customers to benefit from OCI AI services, so why even consider changing? Well, unfortunately, all good things must eventually come to an end. Despite the updates being made to PeopleSoft, it is still a legacy product and is at risk of losing support once deadlines have been reached.
2035 may feel like it is eons away, but time moves fast, especially when you rely on a system to run your entire business. Announcements like this can feel confusing, but you have options and time to make the right decision. This is even more important if you are on an unsupported version of PeopleSoft, paying expensive fees for sustaining support.
Right now, you can start by determining if PeopleSoft is still meeting your needs. If the product can still do everything your business needs it to do and it is still supported, then it probably is not the right time to change. Our experts at ERP Advisors Group will always be the first to tell you not to change your ERP unless you absolutely have to.
If you are on an unsupported version, though, then it is probably worthwhile to consider other viable solutions even if PeopleSoft is still meeting your needs. Since you will be undergoing a major upgrade or migration either way, it can be valuable to know all your choices before making one.
Alternatively, if PeopleSoft is no longer meeting your needs, it is time to explore other options available across the market. While the support deadline is extended through 2035, the earlier you can start a potential ERP migration, the better. By giving yourself time to shop around, prepare your resources, and organize your data, you are more likely to pull off a successful ERP selection and implementation.
Even when time is on your side, an ERP project can be disorienting. The independent consultants at ERP Advisors Group have dedicated their careers to helping businesses like yours effectively evaluate and implement their ERP systems. If you need help determining a path forward from your version of PeopleSoft, schedule a free consultation and talk to an expert today.