The Oracle Hyperion product line has long been at the helm of delivering value to its clients. Since Oracle announced the groundbreaking release 11.2, many clients are scratching their heads, thinking about whether this is the last upgrade they’ll ever have to perform and how quickly they should jump on board.
It’s an important decision after all, so no wonder many Oracle Hyperion clients are still on the fence. So, what are the next steps? In all honesty, it all depends on your unique Hyperion needs. From a technical perspective, there are a number of important reasons to leave any Oracle Hyperion version below release 11.2 behind. For one, Oracle Hyperion versions below release 11.2 will face the end of Premier Support at the end of December 2021, signaling the end of delivery of new updates, fixes, and security patches.
In addition, Oracle Hyperion clients will also have to deal with the aftermath of losing support for the underlying operating system, the database server, and different compatibility issues for users.
Meeting modern business demands is a must in today’s rapidly changing world. Those who take a step back and fail to modernize their applications face the risks of working with old code, having to constantly patch a legacy application, expose your systems to security vulnerabilities and cyber attacks, and the failure to comply with the latest regulatory standards.
No matter your situation, it’s always best to be proactive and start building what will be the blueprint for your modernization journey. Oracle has communicated that Oracle Hyperion release 11.2 will be the last major or difficult release you’ll ever have to make as the product is part of the Oracle Applications Unlimited program, with Premier Support through at least 2032. The key words here are “at least” as it’s very likely that the tech giant will continue to extend the Premier Support coverage period past this date, giving you a greater return on your investment and giving you the confidence of knowing that your system is protected and optimized by the latest patches and innovations.
Operating System Compatibility with Hyperion 11.2
A large portion of Oracle Hyperion clients host their Hyperion instance on Windows, which is probably the most traditional setup. Support for Microsoft Server 2021 had an expiration date of October 9, 2018, and extended support is provided until October 2023. What does this mean? Your security fixes will be covered until the end of extended support with no additional cost to you, but development and new design innovations will not be included during this period.
Of course, other clients host their Oracle Hyperion instance in Linux, where the latest version of Oracle Unbreakable Linux is number 6, which has an end of support date of March 2021. Version 7 is not supported for Oracle Hyperion products below release 11.2. In fact, Oracle Hyperion sets an environment for operating system and platform refresh, including Linux 7.
Oracle made a move by jumping over Windows Server 2016 and went directly to Windows Server 2019, which was dubbed as the only operating system that Oracle supported for 11.2, at least in the early stages.
Database Compatibility with Hyperion 11.2
Oracle Hyperion 11.2 has a simplified architecture that provides a fresh look and feel. Through Oracle’s concerted efforts, the platform offers a consolidated Reporting and Analysis Framework and Financial Reports in a single Foundational database. As a result, configuration is easier.
For good measure, Oracle simplified the upgrade process to 11.2 by enabling the Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Lifecycle Management Utility (LCM) that applies to most of the system’s elements; with that being said, it’s necessary that clients first upgrade to at least version 11.1.2.4.xx before beginning the upgrade process to 11.2. You can leverage the Oracle Repository Creation Utility tool to populate your databases as well as WebLogic data sources.
If you’re not in version 11.1.2.4.xx before migrating to 11.2 you will undoubtedly meet upgrade prerequisites and technical compatibility concerns. There are a number of technical factors to account for that could potentially lead to a complicated upgrade experience.
The relational database management system (RDBMS) for Oracle Hyperion 11.2 includes Oracle 12.2 and Microsoft SQL Server 2017.
Conclusion
Your Oracle Hyperion has put you in a crossroads of sorts. To maximize your investment, stay relevant and compliant, and meet modern business demands, you need to seriously consider a modernization plan for your instance that suits your unique business needs. To learn more about the three best ways to streamline the Oracle EPM 11.2 Upgrade, please download our latest infographic, where we’ve rounded up the most important information that you need to make an informed decision and start your modernization journey as soon as possible.
