The future of customizations within Oracle Apps

Regularly I write about the developments in the field of Oracle Applications. One of the changes that I foresee in the coming years is that the traditional activities of a functional or technical consultant will change dramatically.

Oracle Fusion Middleware is now a accepted product and is increasingly being used by our customers. It forms the technical basis for the next generation application: Fusion Applications. In my view this means a whole new playing field for the traditional ERP consultant. Fusion Applications consists of processes (with BPM and BPA Suite), services developed with Java and integrated with Fusion Middleware, service bus and BPEL. To keep it simple I leave IDM/SSO, BI, MDM out of the equation. Striking is that on the playing field for instance PeopleTools or Siebel tools are not mentioned. The focus is no longer on the ERP application but more on processes and services. Integration is the key word.
 
What does this mean for customizations. In any case, there is already a change to more standard use of ERP applications and less customizations. Customers ask more and more for a template driven approach. With an ERP application you have a standard application and not a development platform. If customizations are needed develop them outside the ERP application. Isolate the customizations and simplify future upgrades. With all the integration capabilities customizations should be easy to use in combination with the ERP application. Think about what Web 2.0.

This trend flows seamlessly into the Fusion world. Customizations will consist of services that will be integrated into a process for the user. Customizations / services will increasingly be developed in offshore/ near shore facilities. Onshore integration knowledge is needed. So to my opinion we are on the threshold of a change in the traditional ERP work. The challenge for the ERP consultant is to learn about and experience with integration components. At last Oracle Applications will meet Oracle Technology.

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Posted by: Domien Bolmers (7 post(s)).

After my education (HTS - Informatica) I started my IT career in 1983 with Van Ommeren. After working for Shell and Management Share I joined CMG in 1993. I have held various positions in our Financial Services division. Currently I'm the Oracle Applications manager within Logica Netherlands. My team consists of both functional en technical consultants. We focus on PeopleSoft HCM, eBusiness Suite and Siebel CRM.