Absence Minded: Features to look out for in 2025(A)

What’s New in 25A

It’s always exciting to start a new year with something new to know. So, here are a few features which are eye-catchers for the release of 25A in Oracle Fusion Absence Management:

  1. Self Service Qualified Entitlement Display: This will be helpful now, which was most of the time fulfilled with reports. It gives insights to employees who want to validate the accuracy of payments for qualification leave type. This also reduces number of queries Payroll team had to clarify and provide calculation for:

Ex:

Leave Duration Days First 30 Days Next 60 Days Next 30 Days
Salary Pay 100% Pay 75% Pay 0% Pay

 

Configure it here and result will be on Employee/Manager self-service:

 

 NOTE: Use the new balance display options to display qualified entitlements in a new tab on the Redwood Absence Balance page.

 

  1. Pay Rate Date Configuration Options for Accrual Plans: This was a huge challenge that always ended with a workaround or no solution or policy change to the need.

If my carryover leave balance was 10 days from year 2024 and utilizing that balance in 2025, my rate of pay should be calculated based on salary of 2024 and not 2025.

Ex:

Salary Date Salary Rate Leave Dates Calculation
01/01/2024 $25 per hour Start Date: 15/12/2024 12 (workdays) * 25 (rate) * 8 (daily hours)
01/01/2025 $30 per hour End Date: 15/01/2025 11 (workdays) * 30 (rate) * 8 (daily hours)

 

  1. Compensatory Time Pay Rate Configuration: Like above feature, Compensatory Time-off pay rate is also availed with feature of choosing whether pay rate should be considered as of the earned time-off date or current pay rate.

  1. Forfeit accrual balance, EVEN POSITIVE balance value:

Sounds odd, right??

But it has excellent use in Reverse Termination case. If the balance was forfeited upon termination, it will be reinstated upon reverse termination action, AUTOMATICALLY.

We are eager to try out these and explore the workings of it. There are a few more features, listed in the below link and in overall, these are very good updates to start new year with.

Link to updates: Absence Management 25A Features Release

Top 3 Under-rated or Under-used features (already there!)

  1. Donation Plans:

Workers can donate some or all their accrual plan absences to others who need it. This demonstrates organization’s commitment to social responsibility which not only benefits society but also strengthens their reputation among consumers and stakeholders.

Below is the link for creating Donation Plan

Link to Create Donation Plan

  1. Year End Disbursements:

This feature is used for Annual disbursement which is practiced in some organizations while some doesn’t. The POV here is that it eases down liability on organization and for employees it’s additional payout every year.

Navigation:

My Client Groups -> Absence -> Absence Plan -> (Search for Accrual Plan Type) -> (Click on plan name) -> (Accruals tab) -> Check Disburse remaining balance under Post Rollover and Carryover

NOTE: This would be only applicable if your legislation allows for such an option.

  1. Liability Rate Rule:

For financial sheets to balance well, Organizations remain prepared for liabilities that are due and upcoming uncertainty. If otherwise to create custom provision in payroll, it is better to utilize the rate liability rate rule available in the absence plan. Provided that accrual takes place on periodic basis which resembles with payroll period as well, liability accrual will be straight to get processed in payroll and accumulate provision amount.

Redwood Ready SCM: Oracle’s Introduction to Redwood, AI and VBS

In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, businesses must adopt cutting-edge technologies to enhance user experience, streamline operations, and stay competitive. Oracle Fusion’s Redwood User Interface (UI), Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, and Visual Builder Studio (VBS) together form a transformative trifecta that modernizes enterprise applications. These tools redefine operational efficiency, revolutionize user engagement, and empower businesses to interact seamlessly with data, processes, and people. This blog delves into these advancements, exploring their essence, impact on Oracle’s ecosystem, and implications for businesses and consultants alike.

Redwood Capabilities

Oracle’s Redwood User Interface (UI) represents a significant evolution in enterprise application design, offering a modern, intuitive, and cohesive user experience across all Oracle applications. It shifts the focus from purely functional interfaces to an adaptive, user-centric framework that aligns with the demands of a digitally driven workforce.

Core Features of Redwood UI

  1. Modern and Consistent Design: Delivers a unified look and feel across Oracle’s ecosystem, ensuring a seamless user experience throughout various application.
  2. Visualization-Driven Insights: Focuses on dashboard-centric analytics, enabling users to access actionable data briefly and make informed decisions efficiently.
  3. Improved Accessibility and Simplified Layouts: Enhances navigation and usability, reducing the learning curve and improving inclusivity for a diverse user base.
  4. Faster Navigation and Performance: Optimizes response times and ensures smoother transitions, empowering users to complete tasks swiftly.
  5. Enhanced Mobile Responsiveness: Adapts seamlessly across devices, including smartphones and tablets, ensuring consistent functionality and usability on the go.
  6. Integration with VBS: Offers advanced extensibility by integrating with Oracle’s Visual Builder Studio (VBS), enabling businesses to customize applications to fit their unique needs.
  7. AI and ML Integration: Leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide intelligent recommendations, personalized insights, smart search.

The traditional Oracle UI, while functional, often felt dated and complex, focusing on operational efficiency over user engagement. By contrast, the Redwood UI reimagines the user experience by intuitive designs, visualization-driven insights, and mobile adaptability create an interface that is not just a tool but a strategic enabler of productivity and engagement.

Oracle’s Next Step

Oracle has already released many Redwood & AI features and planning to release many other features in upcoming upgrades. Following is the summary on the same:

  1. Procurement – Oracle Healthcare Marketplace, Buyer Workbench, Gen AI (Summarize Supplier Attachment, Purchase Order note to approver) and many more
  2. Inventory and Cost Management – Mobile Shipping, Work Order Costing, RFID Inventory Tracking, Prebuilt integration and reconciliation with WMS/3PL, etc.
  3. Order Management – Expediting Orders at risk using Oracle digital assistant, Redwood page for order creation and mass action, AI predictive task and travel time.
  4. Manufacturing – Production Supervisor Workbench, Work Instruction Task, Kanban Management, Inspect using external Vision Systems.

Source: https://community.oracle.com/customerconnect/categories/planning

Transition into Oracle Redwood

The transition to Oracle Redwood UI requires careful planning and execution to ensure a smooth adoption. Enabling Redwood pages in Oracle Fusion involves activating specific features and configuring roles and permissions, which are essential for a seamless transition.

Enabling Redwood Pages:

  1. Opt-in Features and Profile Options

To enable Redwood pages, administrators must either enable the relevant Opt-in Features or enable profile options depending on the specific pages being transitioned. This process ensures that Redwood UI elements are available for use across Oracle Fusion applications. Once these features or options are enabled, users will need the appropriate duty roles or privileges to access the new Redwood pages. In such cases, custom roleswill have to be created to assign the necessary access permissions.

  1. Handling Personalization During Transition

A key consideration when moving to Redwood pages is that personalization made through the traditional Sandbox interface do not automatically migrate to Redwood. Therefore, any customizations made in the old UI need to be replicated in the Redwood UI using Visual Builder Studio (VBS). This can be challenging, as it can be difficult to track all the changes made through Sandbox. To assist with this, Oracle provides a tool (Redwood Personalization Helper Tool) that helps identify and list all modifications made on a page. This list can be used to assess whether the personalization can be re-created or improved through VBS, ensuring consistency and minimizing disruptions to workflows.

Key Considerations Before Transitioning to Redwood

  1. Pre-requisites Check: Before initiating the transition, ensure that all necessary user roles and access permissions are configured correctly in the test environment. This includes verifying that administrators have the right privileges to enable and manage Redwood features.
  2. Redwood Opt-in Features: Some Redwood features are irreversible once activated. It’s essential to communicate this clearly with stakeholders and conduct thorough testing in a test environment before enabling these features in the live system.
  3. Personalization Compatibility: Extract and document any existing personalization from the old UI. Assess if these customizations can be replicated or enhanced using VBS and determine if any adjustments or new configurations are necessary.
  4. Feature Availability Audit: Create a comprehensive list of features that are available in the traditional UI but may not yet be supported in the Redwood UI. This will help manage customer expectations and develop workarounds or alternatives for any missing features.
  5. Testing New Redwood Features: As part of the transition, test all new features introduced with Redwood to ensure they meet user requirements and do not disrupt existing workflows. It’s also crucial to gather user feedback during the pilot phase to identify any potential improvements or additional training needs.

Oracle AI capabilities

Oracle’s AI and Machine Learning capabilities are transforming business operations, driving smarter decision-making, enhanced efficiency, and proactive management across key functional areas. In Procurement & PLM, AI automates tasks like spend classification, supplier recommendations, while Generative AI streamlines the creation of negotiation cover pages and item descriptions. Similarly, there are various other AI capabilities across all modules which will help businesses moving from reactive to proactive operations, optimizing processes, and gaining a competitive edge through smarter, data-driven decision-making.

Oracle VBS

With VBS, Oracle empowers enterprises to innovate on their own terms. The platform enables businesses to extend Oracle Cloud applications or build entirely new functionalities, delivering tailor-made solutions with agility.

Core Capabilities:

  • Low-Code Application Development: Simplify app creation with drag-and-drop interfaces.
  • Integration with Oracle Cloud: Seamlessly extends functionality across HCM, SCM, and other Oracle systems.
  • Rule Automation: Custom business rules enhance app responsiveness to organizational needs.

Conclusion:

Oracle’s Redwood UI, integrated AI and ML capabilities, and Visual Builder Studio (VBS) together provide a transformative platform that empowers businesses to not only streamline their operations but also enhance user engagement and decision-making. The transition to Redwood UI, though strategic, requires careful planning and execution. By understanding the key considerations and leveraging tools like VBS, businesses can ensure a smooth migration, maintain the integrity of customizations, and unlock the full potential of these advanced technologies.

The Art of Selecting the Perfect ERP

As we are well-aware, it is a known fact that Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools have helped businesses to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and drive growth. Hence Choosing and implementing a right ERP becomes a critical task.

However, with a wide range of ERP solutions available in the market, it’s essential to understand that one size does not fit all. Selecting the right ERP solution can be a challenging task, especially when considering the unique needs of different industries. From manufacturing to retail, finance to healthcare, each line of business has specific requirements that must be addressed by its ERP system.

Do any of these questions resonate with you?

  • Are you fully leveraging the capabilities of your current software?
  • Do you rely on multiple software applications to manage different business functions?
  • Is your ERP system becoming difficult to maintain?
  • Does your software seamlessly integrate with all operational areas of your business?

These are some of the primary & critical questions that a decision maker must think about before investing further time & Energy in choosing the ERP software. Let’s try to understand what current ERP software looks like and what our key considerations should be.

 

The Modern ERP Landscape: Key Needs and Trends

Cloud based accessibility (Going further Mobile accessibility)

  • As more and more business and business users start operating remotely, demand for Cloud based methodologies has increased drastically. Furthermore, they offer Scalability, Flexibility & can reduce infra cost as compared to traditional on-premises software.
  • Some ERP systems are even accessible via smartphones and tablets, allowing employees – the access to critical information and flexibility to perform tasks from anywhere.

Enhanced UI/UX (User Interface & User Experience)

  • Better UI/UX helps in reducing learning curves and improving tool adoption ratios. With the ERP tool operational amongst, wide range of employees with varying expertise, an “easy to navigate” ERP is needed of the hour.

Real – time reporting and analysis

  • Monitoring KPI, making agile decisions, customizable dashboards, predictive analysis, — these are some of the key needs of business that should be catered.

Modular Systems supporting easier Flexibility

  • A modular system refers to a design approach where a larger system is divided into modules. These modules, either individually or combined, help forming a complete system web.
  • Having a modular system in place helps scale business solutions and incorporating customizations.

Adaption of Emerging Technologies

  • A lot has been discussed about AI/ML and their endless capabilities. One would surely want to have new technologies easily embedded into ERP.
  • These would surely help in gaining predictive insights, automate business processes & improve operational efficiency.

Please do have a look at the insight below on how Generative AI is shaping the cloud ERP systems:

Generative AI in Action: Comparing Use-Cases Across Cloud ERP Systems

The Importance of Implementation Approach and Vendor Capabilities:

Selecting an ERP without considering the implementation process and the vendor’s capabilities can lead to mismatched solutions, cost overruns, and operational disruptions. When evaluating ERPs, include:

  • Implementation timelines & methodologies (for e.g.: Big bang, Phased or Parallel).
  • Vendor stability, industry reputation, and future-proofing capabilities.

By prioritizing these aspects, businesses can ensure the ERP system not only aligns with their current requirements but also supports long-term growth and innovation.

Uncovering the Root Causes of ERP Failure:

Whilst we have covered most of the aspects, let’s sneak-peek at common reasons observed so far for ERP failures. This may help in the strategic planning of the overall project.

Inadequate planning

  • Lack of clear goals/objectives can hinder the entire ERP implementation cycle. One needs to have an active track of what is the current need vs what is being implemented.

Poor Change management:

  • Adoption of newly implemented tools is one of the key reasons for failure. Business users should be clearly communicated about the benefits of the new system. Implementation programs should incorporate user training programs.

Customization vs Standardization

  • Every software has its unique strength, and this is crucial in leveraging standard features and helps in avoiding unnecessary customizations. Avoidable customizations can sometimes cause overhead maintenance activities. Use of standard features is well backed by ERP provider and any updates can help business stay ahead of themselves.

Data Migration – A well-known factor!!

  • Overlooking legacy data cleansing and integration challenges leads to inefficiencies. Hence there should be a strategy that has to be designed in order to have the source cleaned up first so that new data generated for migration is clean.

Inadequate Vendor Support

  • The program should be well designed to get the best vendor support throughout the implementation process. For e.g.: There must be dedicated team assigned in “hyper-care” phase for smooth transition. This helps in ironing out technicalities which have been ignorant so far!

Please refer below snapshot to understand top reasons for failures:

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337905839_ERP_issues_and_challenges_a_research_synthesis

 

To wrap it up, choosing the right ERP is not just a technical decision—it’s a strategic move that can unlock new levels of agility and innovation. By embracing the latest trends and ensuring seamless integration, businesses can turn their ERP system into a competitive advantage. The key lies in thoughtful implementation and staying ahead of potential challenges, making sure the system evolves with both your needs and the market. If you’re ready to explore how the right ERP system can transform your business, contact us for a personalized consultation.

The right ERP isn’t just a tool; it’s a catalyst for future success.