Launching a PeopleSoft PUM environment on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure

From idea to working environment in days

The project started in June 2025 as part of a proof of concept. The customer already had an OCI tenancy available and wanted to understand how PeopleSoft would behave in a cloud-based setup.

We provisioned the required infrastructure, deployed the virtual machines, configured the necessary parameters, and validated the environment. Within only a few days, the PUM environment was fully operational and accessible.

Although the technical implementation itself is well supported by Oracle tooling, a working environment still depends on correct configuration, network setup, and validation. Careful preparation ensured that the system was ready for immediate use by the customer’s functional and technical teams.

Why a PUM environment in OCI?

Traditionally, customers wait until updates are installed in their on-premises environments before they can evaluate new PeopleSoft functionality. This often means that testing and decision-making only start late in the upgrade cycle.

The OCI-based PUM environment changes that process completely.

The customer can now access the latest PeopleSoft PUM images immediately after release, typically two to three months earlier than their internal environment. This allows them to:

• review new features early
• perform hands-on testing
• validate customizations
• plan their upgrade strategy in advance

Instead of reacting to updates, they can prepare for them.

By testing PeopleTools and application updates in real time, the organization can identify relevant functionality and make informed decisions about their roadmap. This significantly reduces uncertainty during future upgrades.

Collaboration and teamwork

The collaboration with the customer was smooth and efficient. Because the OCI tenancy already existed, we could focus directly on the implementation and configuration. Requirements were aligned early, and both teams worked closely together to make the environment available as quickly as possible.

Internally, the project was a joint effort involving MCX-colleague Mark and myself, under the guidance of our team leader Bjorn. Clear communication and shared responsibilities helped us deliver the environment rapidly while maintaining quality.

Challenges in a rapidly evolving cloud platform

OCI is a mature platform, but like any cloud environment, it evolves continuously. During the project we encountered several configuration-related challenges, particularly around setup and connectivity. Troubleshooting required careful analysis and persistence.

Thanks to prior experience with OCI architecture and earlier implementations at both MCX and Oracle, we were able to resolve these issues without major delays and deliver a stable environment.

A practical first step toward cloud adoption

This project illustrates an important point: moving to the cloud does not have to start with a full ERP migration. A PUM environment in OCI is a manageable and low-impact way to begin.

It allows organizations to:

• gain experience with cloud operations
• evaluate PeopleSoft updates earlier
• improve upgrade planning
• reduce project risk

At the same time, it lays the foundation for possible future deployments of PeopleSoft in OCI.

Why this matters?

By launching a PUM environment in the customer’s own OCI tenancy, we demonstrated how cloud technology can directly support ERP modernization without disrupting daily operations. The customer now has continuous early insight into PeopleSoft developments and can make better-informed strategic decisions.

For many organizations, this type of environment is not the end goal but the starting point: a controlled and practical introduction to running PeopleSoft in the cloud.

And sometimes that first step turns out to be the most valuable one.

Anu Khurana, Subject Matter Expert