PeopleTools 8.51 RVP April 21, 2010
Posted by Duncan in PeopleTools 8.51.trackback
Most clients haven’t even got Tools 8.50 in and running yet, and now we have the Release Value Proposition for Tools 8.51. I know this doesn’t mean that the release is imminent (I’m guessing it’ll be out around Open World), but it does mean that we can start to get excited about what it will bring.
I’m not sure how much I can talk about here as the document isn’t freely available – you need a My Oracle Support account to get it – but I’ll summarise and see how we go. I assume most reading this will have Oracle accounts anyway.
The first point to note is that there’s a break from the tradition of odd/even numbered versions. Previously the even numbered versions 8.44, 8.46, 8.48, 8.50 brought new functionality, whereas the odd numbered releases 8.45, 8.47, 8.49 typically brought the 3rd party software versions up to date and included bug fixes, but weren’t big on new functionality. It seems that this has changed as 8.51 includes lots of new features.
PeopleSoft Smart Navigation
It’s difficult to picture this without an image to demonstrate it, but there are 3 changes to the navigation which revolve around embedding (or remembering) data within the navigation to allow users to get to the data in fewer clicks. It sounds quite useful – and moves further away from the typical routine of navigating to a page, and then searching for the data. Although Tools 8.51 brings this new functionality we won’t see any delivered examples until the next App Upgrade (or maybe bundle), although we can use it if we customise.
PeopleSoft Test Framework
I assume this is the integration of the PS Unit Testing framework.
Search Data Persistance
When moving between Components the Level 0 keys are stored for other Components you access, reducing the need to search again.
Related Content
Related Content can now use other key fields not just Level 0. So Levels 1 and 2, and even hidden fields. The related content window can even change when you select different rows in a grid.
Usage Monitor
Allows you to check the usage of the managed objects within your system.
Supported Platforms
Nothing too surprising in there, other than PeopleSoft support for Windows 2003 64-bit being discontinued.
Multiple Session Detection
Do your users share logins? If so, you’ll be able to detect them.
Browser Output for XMLP Reports
A few people have found running XMLP Reports to Window (via the REN Server) problematic in the past, and it seems like this is being resolved.
Other Misc Changes
– Extended Password Controls
– Hierarchical charting improvements
– Modal Secondary Pages
– Context Sensitive Popup Help
– A new App Designer object ‘Document’
– File Attachment protocol changes (HTTPS, SFTP and HTTP(s)).
I think from all that I’m most looking forward to the Smart Navigation, the Test Framework and the improvements to Related Content.
Comments
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The PeopleSoft Tipster Blog 
From what I understand after reading the RVP, the PeopleSoft Test Framework is much more than just the unit test framework, it seems to be much more of a functional test. This should be very useful.
Also check out my sql developer extension for schema selection from a combobox:
http://javaforge.com/project/schemasel
Regards
[…] info on PeopleTools 8.51 August 30, 2010 Posted by Tipster in PeopleTools. trackback I put a post up a short while back on the RVP for PeopleTools 8.51, but this week an Advisor Session has been released where Jeff Robbins gives a little more info […]
After installing the client and getting it to work. The Peopletools Test Framework is a great functional testing tool that will allow you to record and playback tests. Here is the link to pbooks.
http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E18083_01/pt851pbr0/eng/psbooks/tptf/book.htm