Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne is an integrated suite of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Oracle recently announced the release of its newest JD Edwards Tools, 9.1.4.1. In April 2012, Oracle released JD Edwards EnterpriseOne 9.1 applications, a significant release built on the December 2011 release of JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Tools 9.1 and designed to improve usability while driving productivity and innovation. Demand for new features and improvements have led to more than 18 releases in the last seven years! JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Applications have been continuously updated, delivering innovation and significant functional enhancements to the following applications:

€ Fulfillment Management
€ Project and Government Contract Accounting
€ Grower Management
€ Apparel Management
€ Operational Sourcing
€ Grower Pricing and Payments
€ Environmental Accounting and Reporting
€ Blend Management
€ Financial Management and Compliance

These major releases offer a new lookand sharper insight into enterprise resource planning.

There are many reasons to consider upgrading your current JD Edwards EnterpriseOne version, by understanding that you can maximize the benefit of your investment.

€ Upgrading may provide access to new functionality and software applications that can help keep your organization well positioned to meet your business objectives through leveraging the latest technology and built-in business processes
€ In an increasingly rigorous regulatory compliance environment, upgrading may facilitate compliance at a lower cost through retiring customizations
€ Upgrading will allow you to leverage the latest performance and usability enhancements, enabling you to increase the efficiency of your applications and your business
€ You may need to upgrade to remain eligible for the highest levels of product support

In evaluating any upgrade, there are many factors to consider, such as support timeframes, functional capabilities, technical infrastructure, and underlying business needs. These factors are often complex and interrelated - all of which adds to the importance of determining the most appropriate upgrade strategy.

Before pursuing an upgrade, it is imperative that to fully understand the

€ Upgrade process
€ Potential upgrade paths, and most importantly
€ What your criteria are for considering an upgrade of your JD Edwards EnterpriseOne solution

If your business has concerns regarding the upgrade process, weigh the benefits of an upgrade assessment. This is an advisory service that gives you upfront visibility into your readiness and the likely issues, both from a functional and technological perspective that may emerge in your planned upgrade. By creating a comprehensive upgrade plan, you will reduce the risk associated with an upgrade and ensure that your chosen upgrade path is the best fit for your business. This approach provides benefits in the following areas:

€ Roadmap for the Upgrade Program
€ €Must-Do€ Functional adjustments (Configuration Changes)
€ JDE Code adjustments (Custom Modifications)
€ JDE Security adjustments (Modifications to security configuration)
€ Shorten the derived projects execution timelines

JD Edwards EnterpriseOne continues to evolve, offering greater value and providing new advantages for your business. Upgrading JD Edwards EnterpriseOne is key to realizing the maximum return on your Oracle investment. You must evaluate the costs, risks, and rewards of an upgrade in the same way as you would evaluate a new business proposal. As a next step, consider engaging with an experienced Oracle partner to determine your best options going forward.