Rimini Street Leads PeopleSoft Customers to a Dead End?: A Critical Analysis

Companies often find themselves at a crossroads, faced with decisions that could significantly impact their operations and bottom line. For many organizations using Oracle's PeopleSoft applications, the choice of a third-party support provider can be a crucial decision.

Rimini Street, a leading third-party support provider, has positioned itself as a cost-effective alternative to Oracle’s support services. However, recent concerns have emerged, suggesting that Rimini Street might be leading PeopleSoft customers to a dead end.

This blog critically examines these concerns, exploring the potential risks and consequences for organizations relying on Rimini Street for PeopleSoft support. Also, we will discover the available options for PeopleSoft customers.

Who is Rimini Street?

Rimini Street is a third-party support provider for enterprise software. It provides support for many enterprise applications, including PeopleSoft ERP, Oracle Applications, SAP, Microsoft, and others. The third-party support for PeopleSoft includes a range of services designed to complement or replace the support offered by the original software vendors.

Rimini Street supports the unsupported version of PeopleSoft, and its services include:

• Software Updates and Patches

• Tax Updates for Payroll

• Technical and Functional Support

• Customizations & Configurations

• Regulatory Compliance

• Version Management

• Performance Optimization

Rimini Street pricing was based on 50% of their Oracle annual support contract. Recently, Rimini Street has pulled the plug on PeopleSoft support, leaving their customers in no-win situation.

What are alternatives available to PeopleSoft customers?

Customers using unsupported versions have several actionable steps to ensure their systems remain supported and functional. Here's a detailed course of action:

Renew PeopleSoft Support with Oracle.

The first option for PeopleSoft customers is to re-engage directly with Oracle for standard support services. This step will help organizations maintain direct access to Oracle’s updates, patches, security fixes, technical support, and new features.

It will ensure that the software remains up-to-date with the latest industry standards and compliance requirements. Want to know more?

• Access to Official Updates and Patches:
  Oracle regularly releases updates; it can be for vulnerability issues, performance enhancement, or for adding new features. All these proactive approaches help the organizations in early detection and make the software secure and work with efficiency.

• Compliance Assurance:
  Rest assured that with Oracle's support, your organization will be well within the bounds of any industry regulations and standards, therefore minimizing the chances of non-compliance.

• Integration with Oracle’s Ecosystem:
  Oracle’s support services are designed to work seamlessly with other Oracle products, providing a cohesive and integrated IT environment.

But how will you get the PeopleSoft support from Oracle? Here are the steps to follow:

1. Contact Oracle:
   Reach out to Oracle’s sales or support teams to discuss renewal options and associated costs.

2. Evaluate Cost vs. Benefits:
   

   Compare the pricing of Oracle support with the benefits, including the latest updates and security patches.

3. Plan Transition:
   

   If transitioning back to Oracle, plan for the switch, including any potential downtime or changes to your support setup.

For organizations that prioritize security, compliance, and long-term stability, renewing support with Oracle may be the best option for their business.

Move From On-premise to OCI (Cloud).

Another option for PeopleSoft customers is to improve and modernize their PeopleSoft applications by moving to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).

For a seamless migration to OCI, you can seek assistance from an Oracle Reseller or Oracle Cloud Partner. Astute is one of these partners, helping customers modernize their PeopleSoft applications and more under a single contract. This includes:

• License from Oracle
• OCI contract
• Cloud Migration
• PeopleSoft Managed Services
• PeopleSoft Modernization

In addition, Astute can assist with database upgrades, chatbot implementation, and GenAI-powered solutions.

Whether you're relicensing support from Oracle, migrating to the cloud, modernizing your PeopleSoft applications, or partnering with Astute, these alternatives will help you continue running PeopleSoft for several more years.

Choose PeopleSoft as a Service offering.

Another option for PeopleSoft customers is to opt for a "PeopleSoft as a Service". In essence, this will provide a SaaS-like experience and functionality for PeopleSoft. This is where you will have the same applications but with a cloud-based delivery model that may be more flexible, scalable, and cost-effective.

A cloud-based service will reduce the burden of maintaining on-premises systems. It offers a modern alternative while maintaining the PeopleSoft ecosystem.

Once you choose any of the following options, Astute or another system integrator can help you upgrade your existing application to 9.2, apply the latest PeopleSoft Update Manager (PUM) tools upgrade, migrate to Oracle Cloud, and utilize managed services to support your application for many years. Exciting news: Oracle is supporting PeopleSoft applications through FY 2034, and possibly beyond!

A Dead End or a Detour?

PeopleSoft customers who relied on Rimini Street for support now face tough decisions. But there are many options available! Whether you choose to renew support with Oracle, partner with a trusted advisor like Astute Business Solutions, or opt for a PeopleSoft as a Service offering, each option will help your business grow unbeatable.

Ultimately, the decision should be made with a thorough assessment of the cost, complexity, and benefits associated with each option. Companies must carefully evaluate their ongoing requirements, budget, and future goals to determine the best action.