When it comes to system performance, security, and upgrade readiness, understanding how your JD Edwards system is used is essential. That’s where object tracking comes in. In her INFOCUS session, “Data Collection and Tracking: Auditing Object Usage,” Kimberly Ulmer from The Anschutz Corporation shared how her team leverages this tool to optimize operations, reduce customizations, and improve compliance.

What Is Object Tracking?

Object tracking has been part of JD Edwards since version 9.0. It was originally introduced by Oracle to help organizations monitor usage patterns—who is using what, when they are using it, and how frequently. By enabling system-level tracking, companies can capture valuable data on applications, business functions, and custom objects.

For Ulmer and her team, object tracking has become an indispensable tool for answering critical questions:

• Which modules are actively being used?
• Are customizations still relevant?
• What applications need priority testing during upgrades?
• Where might potential security risks exist?

The result is not only improved efficiency but also a clear view into the health and usage of the JD Edwards environment.

Benefits of Auditing Object Usage

1. Upgrade Preparation

Upgrades often mean combing through thousands of custom objects, many of which may not even be used. Ulmer shared how her team reduced a list of 9,500 customizations by identifying unused ones and archiving them. This significantly cut down on time, cost, and complexity when preparing for upgrades.

2. System Performance and Troubleshooting

While not a daily-use tool, object tracking shines when issues arise. For example, one company was able to trace production slowdowns to a massive grid upload overwhelming a web container. Another used it to analyze system crashes and identify problematic applications.

Ulmer emphasized that enabling tracking had zero negative impact on performance, even with detailed tracking active for years.

3. Security and Compliance

Auditing object usage helps identify inappropriate access or security violations. One real-world example revealed that an accounting employee had unauthorized access to payroll data—a risk uncovered through usage audits. In addition, the data provides a record for compliance and fraud investigations.

4. User Training and Efficiency

Sometimes object tracking uncovers inefficiencies in user behavior. Ulmer explained how tracking revealed one user’s over-reliance on manual copy-paste tasks, leading to training and process improvements that saved time and reduced errors.

5. Custom Footprint Reduction

By confirming which objects and versions are actually being used, organizations can confidently retire unused customizations. This not only simplifies upgrades but also makes the environment cleaner and easier to manage.

How to Implement and Use Object Tracking

• Enable the Feature: It’s delivered with every release but must be manually activated at the system and path code levels.
• Collect and Analyze Data: Use applications like P980042T to configure tracking and review usage details in P98911 or summarized views.
• Purge or Summarize Data: Decide whether to keep detailed records or summarize them for peak usage analysis.
• Leverage Analytics: Build reports in Oracle’s delivered tools or external platforms like Power BI to turn data into actionable insights.

The key is to start small, learn what data is most valuable to your business, and adjust over time.

Conclusion

In today’s landscape of compliance requirements and constant upgrades, knowing who is using what in JD Edwards is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. Object tracking gives IT and business leaders the confidence to streamline upgrades, tighten security, and boost overall system efficiency. As Ulmer summed up, it ensures organizations know “the who, the when, and the what of how you’re doing business.”

Want more?

Explore more content and resources to help you get the most from your JD Edwards investment:

• Be sure to check out the INFOCUS 2025 Event Hub (coming soon) for presentation slides – available exclusively to Quest members.
• Explore the JD Edwards Orchestrator Strategic Content Center for more Quest-exclusive resources.
• Visit the Quest Learn Library for blogs, how-to demos, and on-demand sessions.
• Connect with peers in one of our Quest JD Edwards Community User Groups to swap stories, ask questions, and share tips with other users facing the same challenges.

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