Q: Will statutory patches be available during the Extended Support period for Release 11i?
A: It’s been pretty clearly stated on a lot of blogs, presentations and Oracle’s corporate website that the only item that will not be supported during the 11i Extended Support window will be certifications with third party products like Microsoft, new operating systems, new bolt-on software, etc. All other “core” support components remain fully supported including statutory patches. New browsers, desktop operating system versions, etc will NOT be certified…:-(
Q: Because all statutory patches will be available during the Release 11i Extended Support window, several customers are considering upgrading to Fusion Applications instead of going to Release 12 first. They are under the impression that they can convert module by module when they do go, so they think this will be an easier transition.
A: The bad news is that the Fusion Applications V1.0 announced at the show will not even be available for early adopters until 1st quarter 2011 which only includes three Families of product modules (financials, project portfolio management and procurement). These families of products are now referred to as “Pillars” and there are currently seven Pillars being worked on by Oracle (Financials, Procurement, Projects, CRM, HCM, SCM, and GRC). While they have a somewhat valid point about the fact that they can upgrade pieces of the applications to Fusion V1.0 there are several things that must be considered if they start down this route:
- You can upgrade by one or more Pillars but not module by module. Think of it as Family Pack by Family pack for 11i.
- it’s a one way road – once you upgrade a “Pillar” of product modules, all other existing 11i modules must be upgraded with their appropriated “Pillar”.
- The really unsettling news is that you MUST purchase all of the SOA and Fusion Middleware software from Oracle. You will get a “free” runtime license for all of the modules and especially the “Foundation Pack – which is a pre-built SOA starter’s kit but if you have ANY customizations, you have to buy “full use” licenses. Lots and lots of hidden costs that are very nebulous and unclear at this point in time.
- And, don’t forget, many throw away interfaces between 11i and Fusion will have to be developed, maintained and patched to keep the two systems in sync…- lots of throwaway $$$
The best recommendation I can make is upgrade the database to Version 11gR2, evaluate the need for the new Release 12 features and functionality and then determine your roadmap. Fusion Applications have a lot of features and functionality based on the Release 12 changes. If you upgrade to Release 12, you’ll be able to get familiar with the new functionality on a fully supported, mature release. Then you can decide what your next steps will be.
thx,
John
