PeopleSoft: Key Feature Enhancements Last Year

Over the last 12 months, Oracle PeopleSoft has introduced numerous functionality enhancements and updates to enhance usability, automate more business processes, and improve security. These enhancements make it easier for businesses to streamline operations, reduce manual effort, and stay compliant with evolving regulations. This white paper highlights the most significant updates and upcoming improvements that help organizations maximize the value of their PeopleSoft investment.

Enhanced User Experience & Navigation

Fluid UI Expansion & Improved Navigation

PeopleSoft continues to refine its Fluid User Interface (UI), making it more intuitive and adaptable across various phone and tablet devices. Recent improvements include:

• Expanded personalization options: Users now have better structure to configure their homepages, dashboards, and work centers based on individual roles and preferences.
• Enhanced search capabilities using ElasticSearch: Delivers more relevant results and improved filtering options.
• Improved navigation collections: Easier navigation between related tasks by reducing the number of clicks

These changes help employees and administrators complete tasks more efficiently while improving overall usability.

Actionable Notifications & Workflow Enhancements

To reduce delays in approvals and task execution, PeopleSoft has improved its notification system:

• Push notifications: For approvals, reminders, and urgent tasks — accessible from both desktop and mobile devices.
• Inline approvals: Managers can now review and take action directly from the notification center without navigating away.
• Enhanced workflow automation: Ensures smoother routing of requests and reduces manual intervention.

These improvements provide a more seamless experience, ensuring critical actions are attended sooner by reducing process inefficiencies.

Automation & Process Optimization

Improved Search with Elasticsearch Enhancements

Search functionality plays a crucial role in PeopleSoft, and recent Elasticsearch updates have focused on:

• Faster query processing: Improve system response times for large datasets.
• Better indexing: Users receive the most relevant results based on their roles and frequently accessed records.
• Enhanced security settings: Restrict search visibility based on data access permissions.

These enhancements allow organizations to retrieve data more quickly and accurately while maintaining strict access controls.

Business Process Automation & Chatbot Expansion

Automation remains a key focus area in PeopleSoft with the introduction of:

• AI-driven chatbots: Handle common HR and finance queries, reducing the workload on service teams.
• Process automation in financials and procurement: Eliminate repetitive manual data entry and automate invoice processing.
• Self-service enhancements: Empower employees and suppliers to handle tasks independently, reducing administrative overhead.

By automating routine tasks via Chatbot, organizations can improve efficiency and allocate resources to more strategic activities.

Financials & Supply Chain Enhancements

Accounts Payable & Procurement Improvements

Updates in financial management and procurement focus on streamlining transactions and improving transparency:

• Automated invoice processing: Reduce manual entry errors and accelerate approval workflows.
• Expanded supplier self-service portal: Allow vendors to track payments, submit invoices, and update account details.
• Improved audit trails: Ensure compliance with financial reporting requirements.

These enhancements help organizations manage their financial operations with greater accuracy and efficiency.

General Ledger & Financial Reporting Enhancements

• New financial reporting templates: Enable finance teams to generate insightful reports without extensive manual configuration.
• Optimized general ledger processing: Reduce the time required for financial close and reconciliation.
• Advanced analytics tools: Help businesses identify financial trends and make data-driven decisions.

These improvements help finance teams work more efficiently while maintaining compliance with evolving regulatory standards.

HR & Workforce Management Enhancements

Human Capital Management (HCM) Enhancements

Organizations managing a workforce through PeopleSoft will benefit from:

• Enhanced employee self-service tools: Easier for staff to access payroll, benefits, and personal records.
• Improved recruitment and onboarding integrations: Streamline hiring processes by integrating applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• AI-driven talent insights: Help HR teams identify skills gaps and make informed workforce planning decisions.

These updates ensure HR teams can better support employees while improving overall workforce efficiency.

Time & Labor Enhancements

• Optimized timesheet approvals: Reduce administrative bottlenecks.
• New compliance tracking features: Help organizations stay aligned with labor laws and company policies.
• Better workforce scheduling tools: Provide managers with greater visibility into employee availability and shift planning.

These enhancements simplify workforce management, ensuring accurate payroll processing and compliance adherence.

Security & Compliance Updates

Strengthened Data Security & Access Controls

As cyber threats evolve, PeopleSoft has introduced:

• Enhanced role-based access controls: Ensure only authorized users can view and modify sensitive data.
• Improved encryption and data masking: Add an extra layer of security to confidential records.
• Detailed audit logging: Allow organizations to track user actions and system changes for compliance purposes.

These security enhancements help organizations safeguard their data and maintain regulatory compliance.

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting Improvements

To assist businesses in meeting legal and financial obligations, PeopleSoft has added:

• New regulatory compliance tools: Keep up with evolving tax, payroll, and labor laws.
• Expanded reporting capabilities: Make it easier to generate audit-ready financial and HR reports.
• Automated compliance alerts: Notify users of potential risks or regulatory changes that may impact operations.

These updates ensure organizations can proactively address compliance requirements without last-minute disruptions.

What to Expect in the Future

Oracle has provided insights into upcoming enhancements for PeopleSoft, focusing on:

Further UI Modernization & User Experience Enhancements

• More intuitive role-based dashboards for personalized experiences.
• Additional AI-powered search and recommendation features to streamline workflows.
• Continued improvements to mobile accessibility, ensuring a seamless experience across all devices.

Expanded Automation & AI Capabilities

• Increased use of machine learning to optimize financial forecasting and HR decision-making.
• Further development of intelligent chatbots for handling more complex user requests.
• Greater automation in payroll processing, reducing errors and manual intervention.

Security & Compliance Innovations

• Enhanced multi-factor authentication (MFA) for improved access control.
• Continuous updates to regulatory reporting tools, ensuring businesses remain compliant with evolving global standards.
• More cybersecurity measures, including advanced fraud detection mechanisms.

These future initiatives demonstrate Oracle’s commitment to keeping PeopleSoft modern, efficient, and secure.

Conclusion

The latest PeopleSoft updates emphasize usability, automation, security, and compliance, ensuring that organizations can operate more efficiently while reducing manual workload. With ongoing enhancements in AI-driven automation, financial management, workforce optimization, and security, businesses using PeopleSoft can expect continuous innovation tailored to their evolving needs.

Looking ahead, Oracle’s focus on modernization, AI, and compliance ensures that PeopleSoft remains a powerful enterprise solution for organizations seeking to streamline their operations and improve productivity.

By staying informed about these updates and upcoming changes, businesses can maximize the value of their PeopleSoft investment and prepare for business innovation.

Nathaniel Mathew is a senior at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, double majoring in Information Systems and Operations Management with a co-major in Business Analytics. Passionate about leveraging data and technology to solve complex business challenges, he is excited to graduate in May 2025 and begin the next chapter of his professional journey.