As organizations continue their digital transformation, Oracle’s Redwood design is at the forefront of Oracle Cloud HCM’s evolution. During a recent session, Floyd Teter from Oracle’s Cloud HCM Development Center of Excellence shared valuable insights about Redwood, the adoption timeline, and the tools and resources available to help organizations transition smoothly. Below are some key takeaways and recommendations for organizations preparing to adopt Redwood in their HCM systems.
The Redwood Adoption Timeline and Transition Process
The move to Redwood is designed to be gradual, with Oracle rolling out different modules over time. Floyd emphasized that the transition is incremental, with certain features like Time and Labor needing to be adopted before specific updates like 25A and 25C. A crucial update for many organizations is the mobile time entry devices, which can be postponed until the 25B update, giving customers an additional 90 days for adoption.
As with any significant update, there are tools to help guide the transition. The Redwood Personalization Helper, for example, is a tool that facilitates the migration of personalizations from older interfaces to Redwood. Floyd recommended registering on Coe Central to access the tool and ensure a smooth transition.
Key Resources for Redwood Adoption
Floyd highlighted several essential resources to help organizations manage their adoption of Redwood:
Security Documents: For understanding security principles and customizing security roles in Redwood, the HCM Security Overview and Security Reference Manual are invaluable. These resources provide information on new privileges and Oracle’s seated security roles.
Oracle Search: Redwood relies heavily on Oracle Search for delivering valuable results across the system. Floyd stressed the importance of enabling Oracle Search and updating indices to ensure optimal functionality.
Administrative Profile Options: To enable Redwood features, administrators must configure numerous profile options. Floyd provided a detailed document listing all available Redwood administrative profile values, including activation defaults for various applications and modules.
“What’s New” Documentation: Floyd recommended staying updated with Oracle’s “What’s New” documents, released 60 days prior to each update, to understand upcoming features and changes.
Tools for Transition: The Personalization Helper
One of the standout tools for Redwood adoption is the Personalization Helper Tool, which automates the migration of supported personalizations to Redwood. While not all customizations will be supported, Floyd emphasized that some manual adjustments may be required for those not compatible with the new design.
Additionally, Floyd pointed to various learning paths, customer connect forums, and monocle support talks as further resources for users looking to deepen their understanding of Redwood.
Branding and Customization in Redwood
When it comes to branding, Floyd recommended that organizations consider applying their corporate branding—logos, headers, and other elements—to Redwood pages. However, he cautioned against rushing this process, advising customers to wait until a new branding solution is released after the first of the year.
Floyd shared a framework for adopting Redwood in stages, with specific recommendations for each module. For instance, when enabling Redwood for Learning, it’s important to activate activity sequencing first. Moreover, enabling certain administrative profile values will automatically activate multiple Redwood pages, making the transition more efficient.
Adoption Insights and Statistics
Floyd shared that 70% of customers have already adopted Redwood for payroll, which is a strong indicator of its growing popularity. He also provided a framework for evaluating readiness for adoption, urging organizations to ask five key questions related to the adoption process, including the benefits of Redwood, downloading tools, enabling pages, and setting targets for completion.
Despite this strong adoption rate, Floyd acknowledged that organizations are at different stages of the Redwood journey. Some are ahead, some are midway, and others are just starting. The adoption timeline will vary from company to company, depending on the specific modules they use and their overall readiness.
Addressing Common Challenges and Questions
Floyd also addressed some common challenges faced by organizations during the transition to Redwood. For instance, he advised companies to carefully evaluate which features to adopt first, suggesting that ESS (Employee Self-Service) be prioritized before administrative tasks. He noted that global HR implementations, which rely on autocomplete rules, should be delayed until future updates are available.
For those using Oracle’s talent and performance modules, Floyd highlighted the importance of using deep links in Redwood to streamline the user experience. Additionally, he touched on the upcoming compensation workbench in update 25D, recommending customers wait until that feature is fully implemented before diving into compensation functionalities.
Oracle Support and Best Practices
As with any significant system update, customer support is crucial. Floyd encouraged users to take full advantage of Oracle Cloud Customer Connect for troubleshooting and guidance on Redwood-related questions. He also offered best practices for interacting with Oracle’s support channels, advising users to triage their inquiries effectively to avoid unnecessary frustration.
For example, Floyd recommended using Service Requests (SRs) only for issues related to software performance or bugs. Configuration or procedural questions, on the other hand, can usually be addressed via forums or support documentation.
The Future of Redwood
The future of Oracle Cloud HCM and Redwood is evolving rapidly, with new features and updates continually being introduced. While the transition to Redwood presents some challenges, it offers substantial opportunities for organizations to streamline processes and enhance user experiences. By leveraging the right tools, resources, and strategies, companies can ensure a smooth transition to Redwood and maximize the benefits of Oracle Cloud HCM.
To hear the full presentation from Floyd Teter, watch the Oracle Fusion Cloud Days session, Redwood Updates and Insights for HCM.