latest JD Edwards versions, they stand to gain
significantly enhanced functional capabilities
from the core JD Edwards software itself.
However, they need to know what is there and
how to take advantage of it in order to realize
true business benefits and value. That is why
we try to expose our clients to the various
feature/functions that are available in the new
release and to help them identify where the
most value resides for their specific situations.
This typically involves thoroughly examining
the business processes and the associated JD
Edwards configurations, and then performing
a fit/gap analysis that compares the client’s
needs against the new JD Edwards software’s
capabilities during the planning phase of the
implementation. Through this process, some
clients on older JD Edwards versions have
been able to rule out hundreds of modifications, which can now be handled by the
standard functionality, thus reducing cost
and overall IT complexity. Additionally, many
are able to work much more efficiently both
within their enterprises and with their business
partners to yield real-world business benefits,
which surpass the costs of their projects many
times over.
n Dual Titan Award winner for JD Edwards in 2010
n The largest JD Edwards implementer in the world, with capabilities in Asia, North America,
South America and EMEA.
n Distinctive capabilities related to Global Core Model and deployment projects
n Over 20 years of experience in JD Edwards implementations
n Worldwide Oracle service line of more than 10,000 professionals with deep industry and
functional knowledge across Oracle’s full line of applications and technology
n One of the few integration providers that has a full range of capabilities, which includes:
n JD Edwards Configuration as well as various Oracle software solutions
n Business Process Improvement in conjunction with JD Edwards Implementation
n JD Edwards Business Case Development
n JD Edwards Scoping and Planning
n JD Edwards Offshore Development and Configuration
n JD Edwards Master Data Management, conversions and deployment
n Business process design for SOX, FDA, IFRS and other regulatory compliance
n JD Edwards Infrastructure Design and Implementation
n JD Edwards Tax Configuration, Reporting Design and Tax Benefit Identification
n JD Edwards Application Maintenance Outsourcing
n Broad collection of tools and accelerators tailored specifically to JD Edwards functions
and features.
6) What are some common
mistakes that you have seen JD
Edwards customers make when
attempting to refresh and update
their JD Edwards footprints?
There are several common manifestations
of an overarching theme I would charac-
terize as “underestimation of effort.” We
have encountered many companies that
have started projects with the belief that
upgrading their existing instances of JD
Edwards applications will be a relatively
simple and purely “technical” exercise. As
many have discovered, this perception is
usually incorrect. Companies that look at
the upgrade through a purely technical lens
often give inadequate attention to building
a business case. As such, they tend to
underestimate costs and overlook benefits,
which leads to difficulties down the road in
getting management and executive support
for the full project. Often, they fail to garner
funding or business community support
either before or during their projects, leading
to challenges downstream.
pabilities to specific process improvements that
can generate shareholder value, thus providing
a means to communicate to leadership regarding the anticipated benefits of the proposed
project. This makes funding the project much
more palatable to senior management and gets
the business community on board with the JD
Edwards initiative. z
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www.deloitte.com/us/oracle or
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7) How can companies steer clear
of these common pitfalls?
It is vitally important that the various costs,
efforts, and benefits are well understood before
beginning the project, in order to diminish
misunderstandings and misaligned expecta-
tions. This is where tools such as our ValuePrint
and Enterprise Value Map can be very helpful.
ValuePrint assists companies in their efforts to
build a detailed business case, and the Enter-
prise Value Map matches the JD Edwards ca-
John Welfare
National J.D. Edwards Practice Leader,
Deloitte Consulting, LLP
jwelfare@deloitte.com
Mark Twomey
National Oracle Service Line Leader,
Deloitte Consulting, LLP
mtwomey@deloitte.com
Nidal Haddad
Global Oracle Alliance Leader,
Deloitte Consulting, LLP
nhaddad@deloitte.com
As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte Consulting LLP, Deloitte and Touche LLP and Deloitte Tax LLP, which are separate subsidiaries of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a
detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries
