Hear about the latest advancements in PeopleSoft, highlighting the upcoming release of PeopleTools 8.63 and key features aimed at modernizing user experience and increasing organizational efficiency. A key theme that emerged in our chat was the integration of AI enablement, including the new Natural Language Assistant and enhancements to search functionality such as semantic search and typo tolerance. The discussion explored customer-driven innovation through tools like the Ideas Lab, emphasized the importance of staying current with updates for both security and functionality, and included success stories from organizations leveraging new features like the landing page and customization insights. Several points were raised, including strategies for managing technical debt, facilitating smoother upgrades, and resources available for the user community to share best practices and feedback.

00:00 Blueprint conference AI updates

04:39 Using AI for backend updates

07:08 Building search indexes and REST services

12:28 Discussing Customization Insights in PeopleSoft

13:51 Streamlining with PeopleSoft updates

17:02 Enhancing PeopleSoft search functionality

21:48 Highlighting PeopleSoft Innovator Stories

24:22 Using customer feedback for development

27:10 Importance of staying updated

In this episode of the PeopleSoft Connection, co-hosts Stephen Valentine and Brooke Repine are joined by Laura Papero, Vice President of Programming & Strategy at Quest Oracle Community, for an in-depth discussion on the PeopleSoft Community survey. Laura shares how Quest uses the results to shape events, webinars, and other programming for PeopleSoft users.

Key survey findings from 2025 PeopleSoft Community Survey results included PeopleTools upgrades, PUM updates, analytics, dashboards, Fluid UI, workflow optimization, and growing interest in AI and cloud strategies. The survey also showed that many organizations plan to continue investing in and modernizing their PeopleSoft environments rather than replacing them.

The conversation also highlights Quest’s community-driven approach, where customer feedback directly influences conference sessions, webinars, and collaboration with Oracle product teams. Listeners learn that Quest offers access to many webinars and resources through a free Quest account, while memberships provide additional networking, learning materials, and event benefits.

01:43 Community Survey releases each fall

02:28 How survey results are used

07:58 Results are also shared with Oracle

11:48 Diving into 2025 survey results

15:39 Create a free Quest account

17:04 Member benefits

19:58 Extend & modernize existing solutions

22:55 Watch for & respond to the 2026 survey

This episode is packed full of insight from Jeff Dudas, ERP expert at Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System. He shares insights into the organization’s journey to transfer paper-based documents and processes to electronic ones using PeopleSoft. The discussion covers the implementation of an electronic project request form to replace a manual, paper-based process, a successful go-live with PeopleSoft grants that eliminated reliance on a third-party Access database, and the organization’s upgrade strategy for PeopleTools 8.62. Additionally, Jeff details a novel AI-powered automation project for non-PO invoice processing, highlighting improved efficiency, user adoption, and change management lessons. Listeners can look forward to upcoming presentations on grants and AI at Blueprint4D, reflecting Sarasota’s commitment to leveraging PeopleSoft innovation for business success.

01:05 Jeff Dudas PeopleSoft Journey

02:02 Project Request Form

11:00 Grants Go Live

17:03 PT 8.62 Upgrade

22:57 AI empowered invoicing for non-PO invoices

29:26 BP4D 2026 sessions