2020 and Beyond: Key JD Edwards IT Challenges

After a busy start to 2020 and Oracle Open World, I thought I would reflect on some of the key IT challenges facing JD Edwards customers, and also look at how Version 1 can help address these challenges. I have recently moved from a Solution Advisory role to a Delivery role leading the Version 1 JD Edwards Practice’s Functional Consulting team, a team that provides Project and Managed Services to a range of companies varying in size and also industries that they operate in.

Below are some of my thoughts on the key challenges that JD Edwards customers face in 2020.

Key Challenges

Innovation

Innovation is key to creating more effective processes, products, people, and ideas. In order to innovate, it is essential that an organisation has the right tools and platforms to support in terms of infrastructure, integration tools and a modern ERP platform. Ensuring innovation is utilised will continue enabling business change, UX personalisation and growth through Continuous Innovation. Our recent webinar is an example of innovating and shows art-of-the-possible’ for JD Edwards when leveraging digital technologies from Cloud (PaaS) Platform providers.

Finding the Right Talent

Finding the right talent allows organisations to maintain ageing technology platforms (e.g. iSeries) and software (e.g. Earlier releases of JD Edwards). As time goes on, there will be an ever-decreasing pool of talent and resources available to support these systems. The converse is also true as the skillsets required to enable the adoption of new technologies, features and functionality are also in demand. With Premier Support for JD Edwards extended through to at least 2030, ensuring that enough talent is in the team is an issue organisation must keep on top of.

Security

Appropriate security and defence are necessary in protecting an organisation against cybersecurity, ransomware and malicious attacks with ever refined and advanced tools at the disposal of cybercriminals. Ensuring private data stays private, fighting internal fraud, disaster recovery and back up are also key challenges for systems that are mission critical.

Data Privacy

GDPR is still at the forefront of user’s minds as we move into a changing landscape with Brexit implications for GDPR. However, data privacy has always been important. A single company may possess the personal information of millions of customers—data that needs to keep private so that customer identities stay as safe and protected as possible. This ensures that the company’s reputation remains untarnished, which could have devastating effects if data privacy is not a top priority.

Integrating Disparate Software

System integration is becoming more important due to the increasing advances in automation technology, and the associated need to simplify processes for easier management. Integrated systems will streamline processes, reduce costs and ensure efficiency. As organisations adopt more hybrid best of breed solutions with the potential for Hybrid cloud environments using a mix of on-premises, private cloud and third-party, public cloud services with orchestration between the multiple platforms and software solutions, integration becomes key.

How can Version 1 help JD Edwards customers address these challenges?

We have an award-winning JD Edwards practice dedicated to providing excellent service to our customers alongside colleagues in wider Oracle ERP (E-Business suite, Oracle Cloud) as well as Digital and Enterprise Cloud, so we are perfectly positioned to support and drive customer success in 2020 and beyond.

With Oracle Premier support through to at least December 2030, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne is an integral part of empowering organisations to deliver real business value. Here’s how we can help:

• Upgrades: Get current, stay current – that is the current mantra for JD Edwards customers particularly with JD Edwards 9.1 out of support in April 2020. Upgrades enable the adoption of security enhancements as well as providing a platform for Innovation.
• Expert Managed Services: Our JD Edwards Managed Service specialists are best placed to guide you to continuously take advantage of new features and services arriving to JD Edwards, and help you to integrate JD Edwards with Oracle Cloud applications, Salesforce and even other ERP solutions such as SAP.
• Migrating JD Edwards to Public Cloud: Create opportunities for business growth and increased business agility as well as lowering your costs and risks by migrating your JD Edwards to the Cloud with Version 1. Infrastructure can be easily scaled up or down with demand in Cloud, reducing costs and wait times for hardware and tools, reducing overall risk.
• Purge-it!, Approval Express and Oracle Cloud SAAS Service Provider: Our experienced Digital team can extend and enhance the use of your JD Edwards system whether on 9.2 or on earlier releases then we can ensure you maximise the benefit from your JD Edwards investment.
• Health Checks
  
• Solution Assessments
• Strategic Roadmaps
• UX Enablement