Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) is a key part of your IT infrastructure that keeps your business running. Oracle has decided to stop supporting EBS 12.1.x by the end of 2021. This means that if you didn’t upgrade, you will no longer get fixes, upgrades, or patches. Upgrade to Oracle EBS 12.2.x to make sure that Oracle will continue to support your ERP at least until 2033.
Find out more about how Oracle keeps investing heavily into Oracle E-Business Suite and shows no sign of stopping. This blog covers what’s new in EBS 12.2 besides online patching. This includes functional improvements and changes to the way users interact with each product family. Learn about the new features in EBS 12.2, which will help you plan how to use EBS even more to meet your company’s needs.
An Overview of the New Release
Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12.2 uses Oracle and third-party technologies for the database and application tiers, as well as Java, for its technology stack.
Oracle Enterprise Edition 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.4), Oracle Enterprise Edition 12c Release 1 (12.1.0.2), and Oracle Enterprise Edition 19c (19.0.0.0) are all certified to work with Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12.2. On the application tier, Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12.2 is certified with both Java SE Development Kit (JDK) 7.0 and Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.9).
A Deep-Dive into Release 12.2
Installation
The installation process for Release 12.2 is much better than it was for earlier releases. These improvements include the provision of application tier node services, the use of native Oracle Database and Oracle Fusion Middleware installation tools to install and configure these technology stack components, and the ability to integrate Oracle E-Business Suite with existing Oracle Database 11g Release 2 and Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 homes. Also, Rapid Install can now install Oracle E-Business Suite in an environment with Grid Infrastructure (Oracle RAC/ASM).
Online Patching
The switch to online patching is one of the most important parts of Release 12.2. This uses the edition-based redefinition feature of Oracle Database 11g Release 11.2.0.2 to cut down on the downtime usually needed for patching and other maintenance tasks.
An edition is a private place where you can change the way database objects work. With online patching, patches are added to a separate edition while the original edition is still being used. The system is then switched so that the patch edition becomes the new production edition. After the upgrade to Release 12.2, all future patches and maintenance packs will be installed online, and there will only be a short period of downtime before the new features can be used.
Cloning
Release 12.2 makes the cloning process easier and better, like when adding more nodes to a system to make it bigger. Also, Oracle E-Business Suite now has the ability to copy the Fusion Middleware parts.
Application Tier
In addition to the Oracle HTTP Server component, the Oracle WebLogic Server component of Oracle Fusion Middleware has been added to the Oracle E-Business Suite technology stack. This is a big change. Changes have been made to the different application tier services that go along with these changes.
The application tier of Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12.2 also has a second file system. The second file system makes it easier to do online patching for Oracle E-Business Suite patches and follows the best practices recommended by Oracle technologies to keep patching from being interrupted as little as possible.
Integrations with External Apps
With the new technology stack components in the application tier, Release 12.2 adds support for integration with Oracle WebCenter Portal and Oracle BPEL Process Manager. Also, Oracle Application Framework and AutoVue Document Print Services now work together.
Diagnostics for Secure Configuration
Release 12.2 adds to the tests that are already available to make sure that an Oracle E-Business Suite system is properly secured. When these tests are run successfully, they check that different accounts, profiles, parameters, and configuration settings are set up according to Oracle’s recommendations for security best practices.
WLS Datasource Connection Pool
The AOL/J connection pool implementation is changed to a WLS Datasource Connection Pool implementation.
64-bit Java Support
Oracle E-Business Suite now works with 64-bit versions of Java, which are better at handling large amounts of data than 32-bit versions.
Module-based Oracle EBS 12.2 New Features and Enhancements (12.2.11)
Next, we cover the most recent Oracle EBS Innovations:
Financial Management
Oracle EBS 12.2 New Features (12.2.11)
- Enterprise Command Centers: AR, iReceivables, AP, FA, Lease Contracts, Lease & Finance
- Equipment Leasing for Lessee for IFRS 16 / ASC 842
- AR: New Cash Receipt Application Methods
- Improved Credit Scoring and Collections
- Automation and Flexibility of GL and AP Approval
- Increased Throughput Across Processes for Lease & Finance
Order Management
Oracle EBS 12.2 New Features (12.2.11)
- Enterprise Command Centers: Order Mgt, Advanced Pricing,
- iStore, CHRM, OIC
- New HTML UIs
- Enhanced Subscription and Service Ordering
- Advanced Billing: Recurring, Milestone, Usage Based
- Enhanced Internal Sales Orders (ISOs) Processing
- Enhanced Order Efficiencies and Performance
- Quoting: Enhanced Creation, Validation, and Approval
- CHRM: Flexible Volume Pricing, Enhanced Financial Control
Usage Based Billing: Bill based on actual usage billing tiers using fixed amounts and rates per unit. Other updates include the ability to copy billing plans and DFF support in billing plans.
Logistics
Oracle EBS 12.2 New Features (12.2.11)
- Enterprise Command Centers: Inventory, Landed Cost Mgt
- UX: New HTML UIs
- MSCA for Android and iOS*, plus enhancements
- Flexible Material Tracking
- Enhanced Transportation Mgt (OTM) Integration
- Warehouse Throughput Efficiencies
- WMS/MSCA: Activity Tracking including User-Defined Activities
- Advanced Catch Weight
- Yard Management
Material Classification in Inventory Management/Warehouse Management. In release 12.2.11, the WMS Rules Engine is improved thanks to:
- Pick: allocate material to orders and jobs based on classification codes.
- Putaway: Assign storage locations for newly received materials based on classification codes.
Better Transportation Management integration in Inventory. In release 12.2.11, EBS users don’t need to create deliveries prior to transportation planning as EBS can send delivery lines without deliveries prior to OTM. Also, OTM creates shipments and EBS accepts said shipments to create deliveries.
Last but not least, EBS now offers support for multi-leg shipments from OTM and returns on internal sales orders.
Warehouse Throughput Efficiencies. EBS users can reduce idle time and improve efficiency throughout a warehouse thanks to:
- Zone management (picking, cycle counting, and label printing)
- Multiple cycle count task types
- Nested LPN pick & drop
- Inbound task dispatching
- Better shipping and OTM integration
- Optional Lot Allocation
- Verify Pick
- Better LPN handling (web services and enhanced return to vendor)
- Container-based locator capacity
Procurement
Oracle EBS 12.2 New Features (12.2.11)
- Modern Shopping Minimizing Non-Catalog Spend
- Enterprise Command Centers: Procurement, Project Proc, CLM
- Procurement and Contract Efficiencies
- iSupplier Portal: Advanced Configurations
- Supplier Management and Assessments
- Services Procurement: Financing and Complex Payments
- Project Procurement
- Sourcing: Streamlined Flows
- G-Invoicing for US Federal Program Agencies
Purchasing Enhancements. EBS users can improve cost control and savings thanks to:
- Automated Grouping of Multiple Requests to PO
- Fewer orders to manage and reduced costs with
- more volume-based discounts
- Validate Agreement Line Amt for POs / Releases
- Improved spending control at more granular level
- User Defined Attributes for Purchase Orders
- Define and capture additional attributes for POs
- Enhanced global support
- Global and local document styles
- Operating unit-based attribute templates
- Operating unit-based info on POs and agreements
Shared Service Support for Project Centric Purchases. EBS users can procure centrally for global projects thanks to:
- Global Procurement enables a Shared Service Operating Unit (OU) to purchase on behalf of many Operating Units raising requisitions
- Shared service capability prior to 12.2.11 for:
- Standard Purchase Orders without project reference
- Shared service capability in 12.2.11 for:
- Standard Purchase Order with project reference
- Complex Purchase Orders (for goods and services with pay items)
Projects
Oracle EBS 12.2 New Features (12.2.11)
- Projects Command Center
- Labor Costing with Actual Costs
- Budgetary Control for Labor and Non-Labor Transactions
- Enhanced Billing including Federal Billing and Bill Groups
- Project Revenue Recognition for IFRS 15 / ASC 606*
- Schedule of Values and Cost Breakdown Structure
- Enhanced Cost Accounting Adjustment Options
- Enhanced Project Planning and Controls
- G-Invoicing for US Federal Program Agencies
Budgetary Control for Labor and Non-Labor Transactions. EBS users can improve cost control with expanded funds check in Projects. The transactions are:
- Labor
- Expenses
- Non-labor resource usage
- Miscellaneous
Manufacturing
Oracle EBS 12.2 New Features (12.2.11)
- Enterprise Command Centers
- Discrete Manufacturing, Process Manufacturing, Cost Management, Quality, Outsourced Manufacturing, Project Manufacturing
- Discrete Manufacturing
- Reservations for Work Orders
- E-Kanban for Lean Manufacturing
- Serialization Productivity Enhancements
- Component Availability Management
- Outsourced Manufacturing
- Timecards in OTL for Discrete Manufacturing
- Process Manufacturing
- Enhanced Quality Management
- Yield Management
- Outsourced Manufacturing
- Serialization
- Enhanced Genealogy
Distributed Sampling for Process Manufacturing. EBS users can aggregate quality results across laboratories.
Additional APIs for Extensions and Integrations in SCM. EBS users now have it easier to maintain reference data thanks to:
- New APIs for Reference Data
- INV: Create Subinventories API (12.2.11)
- BOM: Maintain Resources, Standard Operations and Routings APIs (12.2.11)
- BOM: Transfer Engineering Items to Manufacturing API (12.2.11)
- Product Hub: Update Customer Items and Customer Item Cross References APIs (12.2.11)
- Product Hub: Manufacturer Part Numbers API (12.2.11)
- Configured Items: Selective Copy Cross References API (12.2.11)
- Discrete Mfg: Chg Order Notifications: Configuration (12.2.11)
- New APIs for Reference Data
- WMS: Multi-Project LPN Consolidation API (12.2.11)
- Process Mfg: Draw Sample API (12.2.11)
Asset Lifecycle
Oracle EBS 12.2 New Features (12.2.11)
- Enterprise Command Centers: EAM, Asset Tracking
- Mobile Maintenance App
- EAM: Linear Asset Management
- EAM: Map Visualization for Assets and Work
- EAM: Enhanced Maintenance Technician Assignment
- EAM: Enhanced Work Functionality and Productivity
- Installed Base and Asset Tracking: Enhanced Flows
Service
Oracle EBS 12.2 New Features (12.2.11)
- Enterprise Command Centers: Service Contracts, Service, Field Service, Depot Repair
- New HTML UIs
- Service Contracts: Enhanced Usage Billing with Group Plans and for Missed Meter Readings
- Service Request MOAC and Inventory Org Security
- Enhanced Service Request Definition: Multiple Products on One Service Request, more
- Field Service Integration with Projects, Enhanced OTL Integration
- Depot: Supplier Warranty Mgt, Waste Mgt, Outsourced Repair, Prescriptive Recommendations
Contact Center HTML UI for TeleService. EBS users can now increase productivity and faster call handling for support agents thank to:
- New HTML UI as alternative to Forms UI
- Modern, intuitive page designs
- Info-tiles highlight customer’s key transactional information
- Context Sensitive Search and Actions
- 360° Customer Overview Dashboard
- Better support for big monitors
- Service request creation using templates
Human Capital
Oracle EBS 12.2 New Features (12.2.11)
- Enterprise Command Centers: Human Resources, Payroll
- Mobile Apps
- Time and Labor: Enhanced Entry and Processing
- Payroll: Enhanced Administration and Processing
- HTML Dashboards for Payroll and SSHR Administrators
- Person Data Removal Tool (PDRT)
These updates and improvements more than doubled the amount of present innovations in Oracle EBS release versions prior to 12.2.11, which is the latest software release as of today. If you’re still on the fence about how to approach the modernization of your Oracle EBS application with the least amount of disruption to your daily operations, we offer numerous resource-sharing models that can help you balance risks, costs, and knowledge transfer to expedite your upgrade and have it ready in up to five weeks.
