14 Reasons Why You Should Uptake FSCM Update Image 18

Oracle just announced the release of PeopleSoft Update Image 18 for FSCM 9.2. 14 reasons why your organization should consider uptaking this image?

Reason #1: Accounts Payable Integration with Imaging Solutions
Utilizing web services for either Accounts Payable or eSettlements, images can be integrated into PeopleSoft in FSCM 9.2 Image 18 through a content management or imaging solution. This allows organizations to capture documents completely through character recognition and enable them to automatically fill in data and route invoices to specific users within an organization. Once the data is integrated into PeopleSoft, users are able to go in and make changes using the Quick Invoice component and then build a voucher from the image data. Users are able to view the original image from the Accounts Payable or eSettlements page.

Reason #2: Fluid Payment Request and Accounting Tag

PeopleSoft Payables in FSCM Image 18 utilizes the Fluid User Interface to make entering a payment requests easier than ever before. Users simply click on the Payment Request Center tile on the Fluid homepage to either filter through requests or create one of their own using a 4-step activity guide. To create a payment request, users enter in summary details, supplier information (by either selecting an existing one or creating a new supplier) and invoice line items, including Accounting Tags. Accounting Tags make it easy to standardize commonly used accounting transactions within PeopleSoft while saving users valuable time, removing the need to type in commonly used ChartField combinations each time.

Reason #3: My Billing Work—Fluid 

In FSCM Image 18, WorkCenter capabilities within Fluid UI have been expanded. Users can add the My Billing Work tile to their homepages, making it easy to access while on the go. The page provides an overview for Billing Managers/Operational Leads to examine the current workload and address any exceptions that may arise. Numbers displayed next to each work item in the list represent the number of transactions within each item that are waiting to be reviewed. By clicking on “Invoices Not Finalized,” users can access and filter bills that are not completed, drill into the line items and take action directly from the page, such as printing the bill or marking the bill as complete.  **It is important to note that in Image 18, the Billing WorkCenter is only available on small form factors and requires that organizations are running on PeopleTools 8.55

Reason #4: Procurement Operations Home Page Simplified Analytics
In PeopleSoft Procurement in Image 18, analytics can be shown directly to the right of the Supplier Watch list page when the Simplified Analytics option is enabled. Users can create a new report directly from the page, selecting the items they would like to include in the report. The report is saved in the My Analytics pane for future reference. Users also have the option to add the report to their Fluid homepage.

Reason #5: Fluid eProcurement Requisition Enhancements
The Fluid Requisition homepage in eProcurement is a one-stop shop for users to view requisition details and look through the Catalog, as well as create/submit any requisition requests. 

Reason #6: Fluid Mobile Inventory, Phase 2
Image 18 provides a platform for the integration of PeopleSoft Supply Chain Management with mobile devices. All Mobile Inventory transactions are now available to users through Fluid. Fluid UI allows users to access transactions in a Single Item view or List view, providing enhanced flexibility and navigation. The solution is also intuitive, with notifications signaling to users that they have saved or completed an update successfully.  

Reason #7: Master Contracts—Fluid
With Master Contracts in Fluid, users can access a summary view of contract information, including the master contract as well as all child procurement contracts, and create new contracts. Image 18 offers a combined and simplified approach to managing contract information. Users have the ability to add the Group and Special Contracts tile to homepages, allowing for quick access.

Reason #8: Fluid Travel Authorization and Simplified ChartField Entry
PeopleSoft Fluid Expense Report and Travel Authorization pages are now available on mobile devices, tablets and desktop through Fluid UI, utilizing a new ChartField Framework. The Travel Authorization entry component now matches the look and feel of other Expense components in 9.2 for a streamlined user experience. The Travel Authorization page in Image 18 also includes an Accounting Default button.

Reason #9: Electronic Signatures with DocuSign
The addition of DocuSign in PeopleSoft Supplier Contract Management allows users to sign documents electronically, storing the documents in the cloud. DocuSign allows users to upload documents and create signature fields, create authentication steps, check document progress and more.

Reason #10: Expanded Bank Reconciliation
Image 18 extends the functionality of PeopleSoft Treasury by allowing automatic bank reconciliation for multiple items to only one bank statement line. The Reconciliation Rules page provides users with an intuitive and consolidated way to set up Group and Match Reconciliation Date as well as the ability to set up Filter Criteria. The Process Reconciliation page provides users with the ability to run a reconciliation using the External Bank ID and Account Number. The newly expanded Bank Reconciliation feature reduces the amount of manual labor required by users and increases the accuracy of matching and automation.

Reason #11: AR Aging with Contracts
Aging Reports are now available to users using the Contract Number. Users can now access a new SQR Process—Aging by Department. The new reporting capability in AR provides users with enhanced flexibility, allowing users to run the report based on a single customer, group of customers, department(s), contract(s) or business unit(s).

Reason #12: PayPal Payments in eBill Payment
PeopleSoft eBill Payment now allows for PayPal as an acceptable form of payment. eBill Payment utilizes PayPal Express Checkout, providing customers with increased levels of flexibility when it comes to payment options. Users are guided through the checkout process using an Activity Guide, being taken to a PayPal login page to enter their logon credentials, provide payment from their PayPal accounts and then be taken back into the PeopleSoft application.

Reason #13: Revenue Recognition Enhancements, Phase 2
PeopleSoft Contracts Revenue Recognition feature is now updated with additional enhancements, including the ability to identify the Revenue Profile of a contract based on a new contract attribute, ability to see product revenue list prices utilizing Order Management and the Enterprise Pricer and the ability to enter revenue’s total contract price, among others.

Reason #14: EDI File Transformation with the Data Export Utility
Data Export Import Utility (DEIU) in Image 18 offers users support with electronic data import and export, replacing EDI Manager and Application Messaging. Using DEIU, users can import EDI files into staging tables or export data in EDI files. PeopleSoft offers users programs utilizing DEIU within FSCM 9.2 to assist in Billing, Purchasing, Payables and Receivables processes.

For more information, download the Oracle White Paper on PeopleSoft FSCM Update Image 18.  You will need your Oracle ID and password to access Oracle Support.

3 Reasons Why You Should Be Using PeopleSoft Workforce Availability

The PeopleSoft Fluid Workforce Availability feature equips managers with the tools they need to track and monitor employee time, training and attendance using an intuitive schedule view on a desktop, tablet or mobile device. The Fluid Workforce Availability feature enables enhanced managerial decision making, lowered compliance risk and workforce costs.

Interactive Viewing
The Workforce Availability page within the Manager Self Service dashboard shows an overview of all employees’ scheduled and reported times, with a daily or weekly view. Using the filter options, managers can search for and filter only the employees they would like to see, such as employees reporting to them during a particular shift. Managers can see who has approved or unapproved absences quickly, who is sick and who is taking vacation time. In addition to filtering capabilities, there is also a Sort command, allowing managers to sort by name, telephone, reported time and scheduled time. 

The Workforce Availability page uses rectangles to represent an employee’s scheduled time, with green bars reflecting actual, clocked time. Managers are able to see an employee’s attendance down to the minute. Managers can drill down and view more details about an employee’s time, such as the time they punched in and out, or when they took their lunch break.

Immediate Action
The Workforce Availability feature allows managers to take action immediately in regard to an employee’s time or attendance. For example, using the filters, managers can see who did not clock in for work on a given day and follow up quickly with a phone call by referencing the telephone number displayed under the employee’s name. Managers can take other actions in regard to an employee’s attendance by clicking on the related actions button next to an employee’s name. Managers can take actions such as approving overtime, approving an absence or emailing an employee to ask about a deviation in his or her attendance.

Extended Insight
Another helpful feature for managers is the Schedule Variance total displayed in the upper right corner of the pages. The page displays the total number of scheduled hours among all employees, the total hours reported and the overall percentage of variance. Managers can use this insight, taking it into account when making decisions and planning for the future.

Four Focuses of PeopleTools 8.55

With PeopleTools 8.55 released at the end of last year, Oracle continues to focus on delivering the best features and functionality through PeopleTools. Oracle has been focusing on four major investment and delivery areas within PeopleTools. The areas of focus include the following:

Focus Area #1: User Interface—Oracle is continually investing in ways to make the user’s experience within the applications modern and intuitive. In PeopleTools 8.55, Fluid UI is enhanced as Oracle continually looks for ways to provide customers with simplified navigation and mobility. Some Fluid enhancements in PeopleTools 8.55 include master/detail layouts, interactive and auto-sized titles (including a new Tile Wizard that walks users through tile creation step-by-step) and enhancements with Activity Guides and Dashboards. Fluid Homepages are also enhanced to better support tiles, intuitive navigation and personalization.

In 8.55, Fluid UI is the default. When a user now logs into a PeopleSoft 9.2 application, they will see a Fluid homepage with tiles rather than the Classic interface. Users will experience unified navigation with the Fluid header, including the Nav Bar, Menu and Notifications, present on both Fluid and Classic pages.

Focus Area #2: Life Cycle Management—Oracle is focusing on simplifying and streamlining how customers manage their applications. PeopleSoft Update Images are now delivered through Deployment Packages in 8.55. This allows PeopleSoft customers to deploy Update Images on any native OS for Windows or Linux. While VirtualBox still remains an option, customers have additional alternatives and the flexibility to choose. Deployment Packages make it easy to run environments in the Oracle Cloud. 8.55 also offers an Update Manager Dashboard, allowing users to see where they are at with maintenance. As far as what is coming up in 8.56, PeopleTools will be delivered through a continuous delivery model.

Focus Area #3: Analytic and Search Capabilities— 8.55 offers users simplified analytics for aided organizational decision making as well as enhanced search capabilities, making it easy for users to find the information they are looking for. In 8.55, users can see analytics, or visual representations, of the transaction page that they are on with the ability to alter the report to determine which fields or information is taken into account within the analytics. Users can stay on the same page without having to navigate away to create the report or find the information they need. Users can view the report from within a Pivot Grid, drilling down to the transaction level and filtering the data. As far as search capabilities go, PeopleTools 8.55 offers users the Global Search bar throughout applications as well as Secure Enterprise Search. Oracle is currently in the development phase to allow PeopleSoft applications to support Elastic Search as well. Ataway believes that Elastic Search will be delivered in 8.56.

Focus Area #4: Developer Productivity—In 8.55, developers can utilize the Application Designer andPeopleCode Editor, making it easy to build upon or customize PeopleSoft applications. Improvements include features such as find/search for PeopleCode as well as Application Classes and auto-complete, among others.

Why You Should Take a Look at HCM Update Image 17

PeopleSoft recently released the newest Update Image for HCM—Image 17. Wondering why you should leverage selective adoption to uptake some or all of the new features within this newest image? Here are the top 10 reasons.

Reason #1: Fluid Company Directory Usability Improvements
The Company Directory feature is now enhanced and has been redesigned through the Fluid User Interface with on-the-go users in mind. The Directory can now be displayed on mobile devices, tablets and desktops. After clicking on the Company Directory tile from the landing page, users will be able to search the Company Directory through a search bar, enhanced with filters to allow users to set their own search criteria and find the employees they are looking for. Users will also be able to access recently viewed pages and browse through their favorites pages with the number of employees in each collapsible section prominently displayed. In addition to accessing contact information or even map location of employees through their profiles, users can access/modify their own profiles easily. Mobility and navigation is intuitive and seamless, providing users with the information they need at their fingertips.

Reason #2: Direct Report Framework for Training Administration
PeopleSoft eDevelopment utilizes the same direct reports configuration with Update Image 17 as with other existing manager self service pages. The Training Summary feature displays the Employee Selection Criteria page with the same list and set up of employees as with the other manager self service pages. This ensures a consistent look and feel across pages.

Reason #3: Element Browser for Global Payroll and Absence Management
The Element Browser, enhanced in Fluid UI, provides users with the ability to maintain rules from a mobile device. Users can search by country using the Global Payroll Element Browser. Users are able to see element information and how each element is related to other elements within the system. To find a specific element, users can scroll through a list of elements for the selected country or search through the elements using the pin name, code or description. The search capability also includes a filter button and sort button to make finding elements simple and intuitive. From each element page, users can edit the element and refresh to reflect the changes, as well as select the Rebuild Effective Date Element command when adding/deleting related element members to rebuild the element map. An element breadcrumb is displayed at the top of the page, making it easy to navigate back and forth between elements.

Reason #4: Guided Self Service (Phase 2)
In Update Image 17, self service transactions utilize the PeopleTools Activity Guides Framework. Now, the same configuration pages will be used to set up transactions. Self service transactions will match the flow of Activity Guides.

Reason #5: Manager View as Feature
The My Team tile on Manager Self Service homepage offers managers useful information about direct and indirect reports. With Update Image 17, managers can quickly access the reporting structure for all managers who report up to them by selecting the View My Team next to another manager who is a direct report or by clicking the Change Team button next to the “Team of” field at the top that displays that manager’s name and job title. After selecting another manager, the page automatically changes to that manager’s list of direct reports. This enhanced navigation makes accessing reporting structures easier than ever before.

Reason #6: Self Service Matrix Management
Matrix teams can be managed through the Self Service Matrix Management tool. After clicking on the Manage Matrix Teams tile on the Self Service homepage, managers can add or edit teams from the Manage Matrix Teams page. Filtering capabilities allow users to add search criteria and quickly find the teams that they are looking for. When adding a new team, managers can select the type of team, add team members and set team leads.

Reason #7: Talent Acquisition Management Print Application
Using the Talent Acquisition Manager, users can determine which information fields to include when printing out applications. Using checkboxes, users can select which information they would like to include in the printed applicant report in one convenient PDF file. Other options include the ability to print attachments like resumes or responses to an online application questionnaire.

Reason #8: Updating Disability and Veteran Status in the Fluid User Interface
Users can now update Disability and Veteran status using the Personal Details tile on the Employee Self Service homepage through Fluid UI on a mobile device. Another enhancement is the addition of Form I-9 completion instructions and a link to the form itself to complete it directly from a phone.

Reason #9: Workforce Administrator and Talent Administrator Homepages
The new Workforce Administrator and Talent Administrator Homepages enhance navigation by making it easy for administrators to access commonly used information and transactions. The tiles make it easy for administrators to access WorkCenters, dashboards, analytics and more.

Reason #10: Workforce Availability
The Workforce Availability feature through the Fluid User Interface equips managers to view and track their team members time and schedules—both for the day and for the week. Filters allow managers to sift through employee tracked times, such as those employees with a schedule deviation or those away from work. Managers can take action on an employee’s reported time, such as approving overtime or notifying an employee about an absence.