Looking forward to EBS R12.2

Update:
On Sep 20th 2013 Oracle announced that Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12.2 is now generally available. Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12.2 includes new product functionality, new Fusion Middleware and database components, and introduces new tools for installing, configuring, and maintaining E-Business Suite environments.

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I recently wrote an article for POIT Support news letter, which you can find here.

I have also reproduced this article below, for quick reference.

The general availability of the next release of Oracle Applications E-business Suite, Release 12.2, is on the horizon. Here is a quick summary of the some key changes and new features across HCM modules that will be part of this release:

From the HCM Applications perspective:

• Payroll: Enhanced Retropay is the only option available in 12.2. Retro by element, Aggregate & Run will no longer be supported.
• Payroll: A new self-service based interface will allow payroll administrators to enter element entries for multiple employees at a time. This transaction can be configured for approvals.
• OTL: A new Projects Layout is available for Actual Costing, which allows to process project labor transactions from actual payroll costs in addition to existing standard costing basis.
• CWB: The Compensation Workbench Backout Postprocess meant that all changes done in CWB are also backed out. This includes budget allocations, awards, as well as worksheet submission and approvals. A new feature being introduced in R12.2 provides the flexibility to backout only the updates to employee records, while allowing updates made through CWB to remain intact.
• iRecruitment: A new multi-location vacancy feature allows to associate multiple locations when creating a vacancy, rather than creating a separate vacancy for each location. With this feature, candidates will be able to search for jobs based on any of the locations identified for the vacancy.

For more features, please see the RCD (Release Content Document) available via “My Oracle Support (search for note ID - 1302189.1)

From a technology stack perspective, the two key changes are:

• OC4J will be replaced with WebLogic Server 11g, which is part of Fusion Middleware 11g
• Patches can be applied while the EBS production instance is operational, with only a short downtime required to complete the patching process. This is achieved through Edition-Based Redefinition feature available in 11gR2 Database. This online patching feature is targeted at maximising production uptime.

There were some concerns raised by customers about whether Oracle Reports will go away in R12.2. This is not true - Oracle Reports are a part of R12.2 technology stack. Also, this release will continue to use Oracle Forms 10g and OAF (Oracle Applications Framework). Thus, the newer Oracle ADF technology will not come until after R12.2 is in the market.

What can you do now to prepare for an eventual upgrade to R12.2? Well, for one, we recommend that you be on the latest release R12.1.3. Upgrading to R12.2 from R12.1.3 is a relative small effort. You can also ensure that your Application is running on 11gR2 database. Please contact the Presence of IT Support Centre for further information or assistance.

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Should you require further information, please reference the E-Business 12.2 Product Information page located via MOS note below:
•        EBS 12.2 Product Information Center (Note 1581299.1)