Accelerators

Oracle Business Accelerators – get Oracle E-Business Suite implemented in significantly reduced timescales, as long as you are willing to accept the provided best-practice flows.

I am currently using this approach in the UK. If you need more (up to date) information, leave a comment anywhere on the site. The implementation approach gives you Oracle EBS at a significantly reduced cost – it really does work!

Restrictions

1) Access to the Oracle Accelerator toolset is available only to those partners (and specific people) who have udertaken the on-line training and performed an internal implementation. This means that there is a significant investment required in order to perform the implementation which takes several elapsed weeks, mainly due to the review turnaround by Oracle.

2) Accelerators are only available for new implementations.

3) Linux only.

Official Oracle site

Currently there are 19,000 Small and Medium Business (SMB) ERP application users who face the same challenges as larger enterprises – Globalisation, regulation, customer-driven markets, internet technologies. Oracle is looking to expand its reach further into the SMB space by putting forward a ’canned’ solution.

Oracle Specialist SMB web site

The intention is to reset expectation from the standard 9-12 month implementation cycle down to 8 weeks. This will encourage those customers that cannot afford long, costly projects.

What is Oracle Accelerate? Consists of Three pillars:

Prepackaged (over 80) industry-specific solutions by geography.

  1. Business Accelerators – online system of prepackaged questions that acts as an interview wizard taking the customer through all the typical questions that you would ask during an implementation process. It is tailored by geography and industry.
  2. Oracle Partners. Only the relevant questions are asked – local implementation knowledge.

All comes at one fixed price – Application and services.

What is contained in the Accelerators?

Oracle Business Accelerators are high-level industry specific process flows that are available to Oracle Partners. It also enables an iterative and automated configuration approach:

1. Answer Setup Questions online

2. Take backup of client’s Accelerator instance

3. Download the Setup Tool Template into client’s instance

4. Run Setup Tool

5. Validate Setups, make any changes required to the Setup Questions online

6. Restore backup

7. Cycle back to Step 3 until client validates and accepts the Accelerator baseline.

See here for training requirements for R12 Accelerators.

You need to have passed a number of tests to be allowed one of three levels of access.

MAIN ACCESS: Oracle Accelerator Access

Links and documents

Oracle Accelerator homepage at Oracle.com

Accelerator Functional Overview.pdf

Accelerator Implementation Guide.pdf

Accelerator Setup Guide.pdf

ORACLE ACCELERATOR IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the recommended approach for implementing with the Accelerator?

Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite offerings are supported by an implementation approach that is described in the Project Implementation Guide, which is accessible from within the Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite. The Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite training for Project Managers also describes this approach.

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2. What is the Setup Tool Template and why do I need it?

The Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite instance contains the Oracle E-Business Suite and the Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite Setup Tool. However, when the software is initially delivered, it comes without the Setup Tool Template. The Setup Tool Template consists of the business questions and setup data as defined by the implementation team. The Setup Tool Template is required in order to run the Setup Tool and configure the instance.

Once the implementer has completed the responses to the Setup Tool questions at the accelerators.oracle.com online portal, they can login to the E-Business Suite environment and request the Setup Tool Template. As Setup Tool Templates are instance-specific, you will need to obtain a new template each time you install a different Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite instance.

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3. How can I find out what setups are handled by the Accelerator Setup Tool?

A setup report is accessible from within the Setup Tool that reflects all the setups and data that the tool will use to configure the instance. It is recommended that the implementation team create setup documents to reflect the changes made above and beyond those configurations made by the Setup Tool.

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4. Do I have to determine setup dependencies myself, or will the Setup Tool handle that?

Once you select the flow families you wish to configure, the Setup Tool automatically generates a questionnaire that covers all required setups. Dependencies are handled by the Setup Tool.

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5. Is the template blank when it is imported in the Accelerator instance?

No. The template comes with pre-seeded answers for some key questions such as Chart of Accounts, Organization Structure, Flexfield Structures, etc.For Country versions with a Project Workspace (V3), the Basic option will allow you to only update the pre-seeded data for certain questions, but the Advanced option will have the flexibility to update or delete pre-seeded data, or to insert new data for all questions.

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6. Can I download and run the template “as-is” without answering any of the questions since it comes with pre-seeded data?

Only if the Demo/Education Template is used. This comes with pre-seeded answers for some key questions only. All the eligible questions based on the Flow Family selections should be reviewed, particularly customer data questions such as customers, suppliers, items, etc. which have to be answered since they do not have pre-seeded data. NOTE: Demo/Education templates should not be used for the creation of production instances.Back

7. Why does the template have pre-seeded answers in it?

The template comes with pre-seeded answers based on common and leading practices. This helps implementers to jump-start their implementations by using the template with some added customer data to create a customer-specific CRP instance quickly.

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8. How do I know whether to modify, delete, or add data to what is existing in the template?

Existing data cannot be deleted or added if the template is chosen with the Basic option. It can only be modified for a certain set of questions.For Country versions with Project Workspace (V3) only: the Advanced option allows modification, deletion, or addition of data for all the setup questions. Data that has downstream dependencies are updated in a cascading manner such that dependent data fields are updated when the parent data field is modified. You may wish to “Update” data if the existing data matches your requirements, and all associated fields will be updated accordingly. Or, you may wish to “Delete” the data if the existing data is not relevant, and all dependent data will be deleted automatically. Furthermore, you may choose to “Add” more data if it does not currently exist in the template.Back

9. How is Daily Business Intelligence (DBI) implemented in the Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite?

The Accelerator instance contains setups that are common across DBI modules (such as profile options). Setups specific to a DBI module have corresponding questions in the Setup Tool (such as setup of commodities for DBI for Purchasing).

Since business flows are not defined for DBI functionality, there are no Flow Scripts, Flow Models, or Flow Videos included for DBI. There is, however, a Solution Implementation Guide for DBI.

Effective use of DBI requires historical data to be present. You may choose to add further data as required to test DBI for your project.

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10. How many times can I create a setup template from the same Project Workspace?

You may request a setup template from the Project Workspace as many times as is required prior to expiration of the Project Workspace. For example, you may input responses, download the template and run the Setup Tool, fine tune responses in the Project Workspace, then download the template and run the Setup Tool again. This process can be repeated as often as required during the life of the Project Workspace.Back

11. Can I relinquish my Project Workspace early?
Yes, the Project Manager may release the Project Workspace at any time in advance of its expiration by raising a Metalink Service Request (SR) requesting that the workspace be closed and referencing the SR number of the original request that created the workspace.Back

12. What if the customer requires functionality outside the scope of the Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite being implemented?

The Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite provides a baseline of E-Business Suite functionality. Any additions required by the client must be configured directly in the applications after the Oracle Business Accelerator portion of the implementation project. Once the Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite portion of the implementation is complete, the implementer may follow a standard approach to extend functionality.

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13. What are the specific steps to follow when using the Setup Tool?

The following is the recommended approach to setting up your instances when using the Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite Setup Tool. This will help you avoid having to enter your data multiple times:

  • Enter data in the Setup Tool on the accelerators.oracle.com online portal until satisfied it is complete
  • Take a database backup of ‘Instance A’ (client’s E-Business Suite environment with the Oracle Business Accelerator plug-in)
  • Log into “Instance A”, and request the Setup Tool Template download
  • Run the Setup Tool in “Instance A”
  • Complete the Post-Setup steps in “Instance A”
  • Copy “Instance A” to another location — this is your first test instance.
  • Restore the “Instance A” backup (from Step 1) to the original location.
  • Login as applmgr and remove all files from $XXSE_TOP/recordingfiles directory.
  • Any changes required from the test instance can be entered at accelerators.oracle.com.
  • Login to “Instance A”, and request the Setup Tool Template download.
  • Run the Setup Tool and complete the Post-Setup Steps in “Instance A”
  • Copy “Instance A” to another location to create your final production instance

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14. Can the Setup Tool be run on a cloned instance?

Running the Setup Tool on a cloned instance is not supported because various complex configuration changes are not replicated at the time of cloning. Cloning is supported only after the Setup Tool has been run on the instance. However you can create a backup and restore the backup on the same location. In order to do this, the following method is recommended:

  • Install E-Business Suite and Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite Plug-In
  • Take backup of E-Business Suite environment
  • Enter data in the Setup Tool on the accelerators.oracle.com online portal until satisfied it is complete
  • Login to E-Business Suite instance and request Setup Tool Template download
  • Run Setup Tool
  • Restore from backup on same location (from step 2)
  • Enter setup data changes at accelerators.oracle.com
  • Login to E-Business Suite instance and request Setup Tool Template download
  • Run Setup Tool

Note: In case you did not take a FULL backup, but only a database backup, the following additional steps need to be performed:

  • Login as applmgr
  • Remove all files from $XXSE_TOP/recordingfiles directory

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15. What is the process to run a Conference Room Pilot (CRP)?

For CRPs, follow these steps:

  • For Country Versions With Project Workspace (V3.0) users should specify that the DEMO/EDUCATION Template is required.
  • Select the flow families you wish to implement.
  • Enter data specific for your business in the Setup Tool on the accelerators.oracle.com online portal.
  • Login to the E-Business Suite environment containing the Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite Plug-In.
  • Request the Setup Tool Template download and run the Setup Tool. Users requesting Country Versions Without Project Workspace (V2.0) should specify that a DEMO / EDUCATION template is required.
  • Perform the mandatory manual setups that the Setup Tool could not accommodate – the tool includes a document to guide you through these steps.
  • Perform the necessary extensions.
  • You now have your CRP instance ready. Flow models, videos, and other learning aids are available at accelerators.oracle.com to facilitate CRP activities.

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16. What is the process to go live?

Please refer to the question “What is the recommended approach for implementing with the Accelerator?”

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17. What is the best practice to migrate data?

For CRPs, use the Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite Setup Tool to load just enough data to make the CRP relevant.

For production instances, Country Versions With Project Workspace (V3.0) have a Mass Data Upload option. Users should consult the Setup Guide, Setup Video and the Implementation Details training to learn more about the Mass Data Upload option. This feature does not exist in Country Versions Without Project Workspace (V2.0).

Once the Setup Tool and Post-Setup steps are complete, you can use any preferred data migration method to import data into the E-Business Suite.

Oracle strongly recommends that you never use SQL*Plus, Oracle Data Browser, database triggers, or any other tool to directly modify Oracle Applications tables.

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18. When should we load bulk data?

Data migration can be done after the Setup Tool has been run and the required Post-Setup steps have been completed.

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19. I have restored my OBA backup. However the Setup Tool fails at the first step. What is causing this?

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After every restore, be sure to clear the contents of the $XXSE_TOP/recordingfiles directory. Further, ensure that the directory has write permissions.

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20. Why am I getting the error, “There are no documents mapped to this page”, when accessing our client’s Accelerator instance?

Make sure you are properly accessing the Oracle Accelerator by logging in as oa_implementer.

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21. Our client wants to have a non-Accelerator module installed along with the Accelerator. Can it be installed on the same instance?

Yes, additional modules may be installed on the same instance – however it should be done AFTER the Setup Tool and Post-Setup Steps are completed.

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22. What should I do when I get the error message, “APP-FND-01442: Quick Pick cannot open Quick Pick window” when the setup tool is run?

This issue may arise if the Setup Tool run had failed in a prior step and the issue was not rectified properly. Please contact OBA support immediately.

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23. We have refreshed our Accelerator instance from a database backup. After restarting the Setup Tool run, the Setup Tool stops immediately. How can I get past this?

To resolve this issue, do the following:a) Clear the $XXSE_TOP/recordingfiles directory.b) Ensure the directory has full write permissions.This needs to be done everytime the instance is refreshed from a database backup and the setup tool run is restarted. Back

24. How many records can be uploaded using the Mass Upload Tool?

The Mass Upload feature provides for upload of up to 50 records to get up-and-running quickly with a CRP. However after the Business Accelerator portion of the implementation is complete, the implementer can use other data conversion methods like public API’s.

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25. The Setup Tool run fails on my computer. What might cause this?

Please ensure the browser being used for the Setup Tool run is a browser approved for use with the Oracle E-Business Suite.

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26. How do I know whether to choose between Basic or Advanced option?

Select BASIC option when,

a) you just want to set up a singular organization structure

b) you do not need to add or delete data for Key Business Setup questions such as the Organization structure, etc

Select ADVANCED option when,

a) you want to set up a multi-org structure

b) you need to create multiple ledgers with different Accounting Key Flexfields, and / or Accounting Calendar, and Currencies.

Basic Option

Advanced Option

Accounting Key Flexfield Structure

One (can be modified)

Can add additional

Accounting Calendar

Single Calendar with a choice of default Period Types

Additional calendar and additional period types

GL Primary Ledger

One

Can add additional

Accounting Legal Entity

One

Can add additional

HR/ Government Reporting Entity

One

Can add additional

Business Group

One

One

Operating Unit

One

Can add additional

Inventory Organizations

Two – Item Master Org, Primary Transaction Org

Can add additional

Organization Locations

Two – HQ, MFG/DC

Can add additional

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27. How do I convert an OBA single-node install to a multi-node install?

Cloning is the recommended approach to convert a single-node system to a multi-node system.

Please refer Metalink note 230672.1 for the exact steps on multi-node cloning. You can also refer Metalink note 216664.1, which answers commonly asked cloning questions.

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28. What is Pre-Project Review and how does it apply to Project Workspace requests?

Project Workspace will be granted ONLY after a mandatory Pre-Project Review.

To request a pre-project review, partner users should contact their local Alliances representative; Oracle consultants should contact their local OBA SWAT team.

The review is designed to be completed in a conference call and should take no longer than 30 minutes to complete.

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29. Whom can I contact for more information during setup tool run?

Partner implementers who have questions about Oracle Business Accelerators for Oracle E-Business Suite offerings should contact their Oracle Partner Network representative.