PeopleSoft Update Manager (PUM)

PeopleSoft Update Manager (PUM) is a flexible and streamlined Lifecycle Management process introduced by Oracle in PeopleSoft 9.2. This new process will enable the PeopleSoft customers to stay current on application patches and lower the cost of application maintenance.

Unlike old patching method in which customers has to apply all bundles or nothing, PeopleSoft Update Manager allows the customers to identify needed updates and create custom change package definition. This feature enables to selectively apply needed updates based on their requirements and schedule.

PeopleSoft Update Manager uses PeopleSoft Images which are Oracle VM Virtual Box virtual machines that can be download locally. Oracle delivers one PeopleSoft Image per product family. Customers have to download this image on their local system and use Oracle Virtual Box Virtual machine to run it. This PeopleSoft Image will be master source environment from where updates will be pulled to create a custom change. PeopleSoft being cumulative will have all the updates for the application images and this image will be updated periodically by Oracle.

After PeopleSoft Image for an application is downloaded customers can search for the required patches, bugs, fixes for their application using PeopleSoft Update Manager PIA Application.  PUM PIA application is a search tool and custom change package generator. Using this tool customers can choose only those updates that are required and then create a customized change package. PeopleSoft Update Manager PIA application will only be available inside the PeopleSoft Image delivered by Oracle.

PeopleSoft Update Manager Patching Process

• PUM patching process begins by searching and downloading the latest PeopleSoft image for an application from Oracle customer support.
• This image will be the patching source. Using PeopleSoft Update manager query the PeopleSoft image for any required and desired updates and generate a custom tailored change package definition using Change Assistant.
• Now we do have all our updates in one single change package. Use change assistant to analyze the impact. After analysis apply the changes to the development environment.
• In development environment you can reapply the customizations and create new change package using change assistant.

After testing you can apply the change package to testing and production environments. Benefits of using PeopleSoft Update Manager

 

1. No Bundles and Maintenance packs: PUM enables to search and select the changes you want and then create a customized change package to be deployed on your target environment rather than applying complete Bundle or Maintenance packs.

2. Only one Change Package to be applied: Earlier if you wanted to apply multiple patches, maintenance packs or bundles, they all needed to be applied one by one in a particular order. But now you just have only one cumulative change package to apply.

3. Automatically includes dependencies: If you choose to apply a particular fix and it has few dependencies, then PeopleSoft Update Manager will automatically add those dependencies to the customized change package.

4. Shows currently installed updates: PUM also shows you what is currently installed in your PeopleSoft environment which makes selection process really fast and easy.

5. PeopleSoft Image Released on fixed Schedule: Oracle will announce the release of PeopleSoft Images in advance so you know when the new Image is going to be available. This will help you in planning resources and doing analysis before the Image is available.

6. Quickly address critical issues: As you will have the latest PeopleSoft Image installed on your local environment, you can search for updates and patches in that local copy.

7. Reduce Manual steps for patching:  PUM will automatically remove those updates which are already applied to your environment. This will help in reducing time and effort spent in analysis, preparation, patching and verification.

8. No requirement of DEMO environment: Customers on Oracle database, don’t need to maintain a separate DEMO environment as the PeopleSoft Image can be used as a DEMO environment. Customer using other database or multi-lingual platform will need to maintain a separate DEMO environment.