Cloud Migration Strategy: Preparing Your Business for the Post-Oracle EBS Era

From Oracle EBS to Cloud: How to Future-Proof Your Business

Oracle recently made a significant announcement: by 2033, support for Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) will end. Instead, the focus will shift towards cloud solutions like Oracle ERP Cloud. While 2033 might seem distant, delaying the decision to migrate to the cloud isn’t prudent. Planning and executing a seamless cloud migration strategy takes time, and procrastination can result in unnecessary complications and disruptions. In this article, we’ll delve into the steps you need to take to transition from Oracle EBS to the cloud while retaining the stability and tone of your business operations.

The Cloud Migration Imperative

The migration of on-premise workloads to Oracle Cloud is a strategic necessity, and it’s essential to understand that you don’t have to make the shift overnight. By starting the planning process now, you can ensure a cost-effective and smooth transition when the time comes.

Oracle offers various levels of support for EBS, tailored to meet the diverse needs of its users. From essential technical support to comprehensive managed services, these support levels cater to businesses at different stages of their lifecycle. However, as the world increasingly embraces cloud computing, devising a transition strategy from an existing EBS environment to the cloud has become more critical. A carefully thought-out migration plan can allow businesses to embrace the advantages of cloud computing while minimizing disruptions to their ongoing operations. In the following sections, we’ll explore the tiers of EBS support provided by Oracle and underscore why cloud migration planning is pivotal at each stage.

Navigating Oracle EBS Support Levels

1. Oracle Premier Support Oracle Premier Support is the initial stage of assistance, typically spanning up to five years from the release date of an Oracle EBS solution. It encompasses crucial services such as critical patch updates, technical support, and access to ‘My Oracle Support.’
2. As your business relies on Oracle Premier Support, commencing future planning is essential, even though the support phase ends in 2033. As EBS products edge closer to the conclusion of their Premier Support phase, charting a path toward cloud migration becomes increasingly paramount. This approach helps you sidestep potential risks linked to unsupported software.
3. Oracle Extended Support Oracle Extended Support represents the secondary phase of EBS assistance. It enables businesses to extend the lifespan of specific applications or solutions beyond the designated deadline by paying an additional fee. This option remains available for up to three years after the Oracle Premier Support period terminates. This level of support encompasses all the services from Premier Support and access to critical bug fixes and security patches.
4. However, significant support fees may accompany the utilization of Oracle Extended Support. The cost equates to 10% of the prevailing support fee in the first year, followed by 20% in the second and third years.
5. It’s crucial to recognize that while Oracle Extended Support remains an option, access to critical bug fixes and security patches becomes increasingly restricted. Therefore, businesses should gradually reduce their reliance on Oracle EBS, minimizing the need for extended support. Planning a move to the cloud plays a pivotal role in upholding system security and keeping technology up-to-date.
6. Oracle Sustaining Support The Oracle Sustaining Support phase constitutes the ultimate support stage, following the conclusion of the Premier and Extended Support phases. During this stage, users can access technical support, updates, bug fixes, critical patch updates, upgraded scripts, and a limited number of licenses. However, this phase is focused on sustaining or maintaining a platform rather than driving progress. Businesses might require assistance addressing encryption and regulatory challenges, encompassing security threats and non-compliance with regulatory mandates.
7. Despite the minimal support during this phase, users are still required to pay the exact monthly support costs. Without further updates or patches, systems can become progressively susceptible to security threats and performance setbacks. While this phase might not constitute an immediate concern, future planning is pivotal. Exploring avenues for upgrading to a more advanced solution like the cloud can help alleviate these risks and provide access to cutting-edge technology.

Embracing Managed Services: The Smart Move

Embarking from an existing EBS environment to the cloud can require specialized skills and expertise. Here’s why Datavail’s managed services program can smoothen this transition seamlessly:

1. Expertise: Datavail provides access to a team of seasoned experts with over 12+ years of cloud migration experience. They can navigate you through the process, steering clear of common pitfalls and ensuring a successful migration.
2. Cost Efficiency: Leveraging economies of scale, Datavail offers cost-effective solutions for businesses aiming to transition to the cloud. This can translate to reduced maintenance costs compared to upkeeping an existing EBS environment. This liberates funds that can be directed toward innovation and expansion. Moreover, optimization services are available to streamline your cloud ecosystem, curbing costs and enhancing overall efficiency.
3. Security: Datavail places paramount importance on the security of your data and applications in the cloud. Best security practices and compliance measures are implemented to detect and counteract security threats, coupled with ongoing monitoring and management. This encompasses proactive maintenance, patching, regular security assessments, and compliance monitoring.
4. Flexibility: Datavail’s robust assessment programs enable experts to tailor solutions to your organization’s needs. Flexible cloud migration options, such as the lift-and-shift approach, minimize business disruption, ensuring a seamless transition.
5. Comprehensive Support: From round-the-clock monitoring to rapid response times and personalized support from a dedicated team of experts, Datavail’s support services are all-encompassing. This facilitates improved service levels and maintains the operational continuity of critical applications.
6. Maximizing ROI: Extending the life of existing applications can enhance your return on investment. This allows businesses to continue harnessing their current systems’ functionalities while plotting their cloud migration journey.

Leverage Datavail’s Managed Services and Shape Your Business’s Future

With Oracle’s plans to discontinue support for E-Business Suite by 2033, it’s natural for businesses to consider preserving existing on-premises legacy application environments due to familiarity and resistance to change. However, relying on Oracle support mechanisms can swiftly become a costly and intricate endeavor. Consequently, it’s prudent for businesses to initiate a cloud migration strategy, steering clear of the financial and data-related intricacies associated with progressing through diverse stages of Oracle support.

At Datavail, we offer a comprehensive array of EBS and Cloud managed services. We aim to empower businesses in supporting their existing EBS application portfolio while concurrently planning for a future-proofed enterprise through cloud migration. Our team of experts excels at navigating the complexities of Oracle support mechanisms and expertly guiding the cloud migration process.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the myriad benefits of cloud environments and the cloud migration process, delve into our whitepaper, “Lift and Shift On-Premises E-Business Suite to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.” We invite you to contact our team of experts, who are poised to discuss your unique needs. Partner with Datavail to harness the potential of managed services and chart a seamless journey to the cloud, steering your business toward a future of success.