The JDE Connection – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of The JDE Connection, hosts Chandra and Paul dive into the highlights of the upcoming INFOCUS Conference set for October 1-3 in Denver, Colorado, where participants can interact with JD Edwards team members across three days filled with education and networking opportunities. Key events include a roadmap session covering product strategy and AI/ML enhancements, various hands-on workshops led by Oracle as well as sessions from members of the JD Edwards community. We encourage listeners to join these insightful events, emphasizing the value of practical implementations and networking for optimizing your JD Edwards system. 

00:53 A long weekend with tiaras and sashes 

03:04 OCD or CDO 

03:30 INFOCUS introduction 

05:10 Day 1 Session Highlights 

13:59 Day 2 Session Highlights 

27:10 Day 3 Session Highlights 

39:16 Midwesternism of the day 

Resources: 

Quest INFOCUS: https://questoraclecommunity.org/events/conferences/infocus/ 

If you have concerns or feedback on this episode or ideas for future episodes, please contact us at thejdeconnection@questoraclecommunity.org. 

In this episode of The JDE Connection, hosts Chandra and Paul explore the functionalities and capabilities within the JD Edwards Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Health and Safety modules. As part of their ongoing series exploring JDE feature functionality, the provide an overview of the key components Case Management, Service Management and Health and Safety Management.  

03:07 Customer Relationship Management Overview 

04:13 Case Management 

08:47 Service Management 

13:33 Health and Safety 

18:00 Midwesternism of the Day 

In this week's episode of the JDE Connection, hosts Chandra Wobschall and Paul Houtkooper dig into the core functionalities of JD Edwards EnterpriseOne’s Financial Management System. Starting with an explanation of why form extensions at the version level could not be delivered due to architectural constraints, they then share the alternative solution introduced in Release 23. The discussion moves on to a comprehensive overview of the major features within the financial management module, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, advanced cost accounting, expense management, fixed asset accounting, general ledger, lease accounting, and joint venture management. Each module's key capabilities and the business problems they address are highlighted to help listeners better understand the breadth and depth of JD Edwards' financial offerings. 

01:10 Form Extensions at the version level 

05:00 Feature Functionality of JD Edwards Series 

07:39 Financial Management System overview 

09:28 Accounts Payable  

10:53 Accounts Receivable  

13:05 Advanced Cost Accounting  

14:06 Expense Management  

15:17 Fixed Asset Accounting  

16:17 General Ledger  

18:00 Lease Accounting  

18:46 Joint Venture Management  

19:54 Midwesternism of the day 

Resources: 

Form Extensions at a version level: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/haiyan-wang-5734b5ab_jdedwards-enterpriseone-release23-activity-7049766057741348864-ne6V?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop 

JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Financial Management Products: https://www.oracle.com/applications/jd-edwards-enterpriseone/financial-management/ 

Hubble House Restaurant: https://www.hubbellhouserestaurant.com/ 

If you have concerns or feedback on this episode or ideas for future episodes, please contact us at thejdeconnection@questoraclecommunity.org. 

In today's episode, hosts Chandra Wobschall and Paul Houtkooper dive into the vibrant world of JD Edwards with a special conversation featuring Don Sauve, Chris Noack, Haiyan Wang, and AJ Schifano. They explore the enduring relevance of the Orchestrator, the enthusiasm around existing features like Cafe One, and strategies for transforming user excitement into actionable ideas. Our guests share their insights about attending and presenting at BLUEPRINT4D and INFOCUS conferences, emphasizing the distinct benefits of each, and how to share that knowledge with your coworkers to generate interest and excitement. Whether you're a JD Edwards veteran or new to the ecosystem, this episode is packed with tips on maximizing your experience, understanding the value of enhancements, and leveraging community connections. 

01:57 Don shares value in both BLUEPRINT4D and INFOCUS. 

03:30 AJ's draws the parallel between the conference cycle and the product development lifecycle. 

06:34 Chris reiterates differences between the conferences and emphasizes the fame that comes with presenting. 

10:05 Haiyan values showcasing new features, understanding users. 

15:57 Chandra reiterates the importance of sharing knowledge on basic capabilities. 

17:51 AJ’s two questions. 

19:51 Don talks about the intrinsic value of CafeOne. 

21:32 Don comments on how he generates excitement in his user base post conference. 

22:00 Chris comments on how he generates excitement in his user base post conference. 

23:28 Closing comments. 

30:09 Midwesternism. 

Resources: 

Register for INFOCUS: https://questoraclecommunity.org/events/conferences/infocus/ 

CafeOne: https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E84502_01/learnjde/cafeOne.html#composite-application-framework-(cafeone) 

If you have concerns or feedback on this episode or ideas for future episodes, please contact us at thejdeconnection@questoraclecommunity.org. 

Hosts Chandra Wobschall and Paul Houtkooper are joined by a stellar lineup of guests: Don Sauve, Chris Noack, AJ Schifano, and Haiyan Wang. Together, they delve into the positive impact of conferences like BLUEPRINT 4D and how these events reignite enthusiasm for their work with JD Edwards. You'll hear insightful discussions on the significance of direct interactions with Oracle representatives, the ongoing support for JD Edwards leading up to and beyond 2035, and some stories about technical challenges and achievements. Our guests share their takeaways from BLUEPRINT 4D including: JD Edwards longevity, the power of community feedback, delivering value to the customers, the joy experienced when users adopt the technology and the power of community.   

 06:00 Product manager orchestrating digital platform and automation. 

09:30 Clarification on 2035 goal and Oracle assuring ongoing commitment to JD Edwards. 

14:17 Evaluate impact, leverage and customization for solutions. 

19:58 Sharing conference experience, ideas, and motivation. 

23:19 Strive to prioritize, tackle challenges, and adapt. 

26:36 Midwesternism of the day. 

Hosts Chandra Wobschall and Paul Houtkooper delve into a dynamic conversation with Alysa Mauer, IT Business Solutions Senior Manager at MDC Holdings (Richmond American Homes). Together, they explore Alysa's extensive role, her innovative approaches to recruitment and mentorship, and her dedication to fostering long-term community engagement. Listeners will gain insights into the complexities of the business analyst role, from balancing current operations with future enhancements, to navigating the intricacies of the JD Edwards software. 

The discussion also dives into the importance of coaching, the contrast between agile and waterfall methodologies, and the critical need for effective communication and problem-solving within teams. With plenty of laughs and shared learnings, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and business. 

05:56 Change leaders, automation and building relationships. 

07:25 Empowering change and improving functionality. 

13:00 Exposing customers to possibilities encourages product feedback. 

15:06 Perspectives on AI and BA. 

18:14 Conferences offer a networking environment to explore and learn. 

20:10 Patience and building confidence with new tools. 

26:12 Consider different perspectives, provide options, explain rationale. 

26:57 Describing iterative problem-solving. 

30:31 Balancing training and experience for business roles. 

35:31 Midwesternism of the Day. 

Chandra and Paul dive into the dynamic world of JD Edwards, highlighting their experience at the recent Blueprint event. They share insights on the high energy and engaging interactions with customers and partners, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and feedback. From discussing childhood games to delving into the evolving role of business analysts and the industry's rapid pace of change and innovation, the hosts bring a mix of humor and practical knowledge to the episode.

Listeners are treated to reflections on the JD Edwards ecosystem, Oracle's long-term commitment to on-premises products, and the ongoing developments in AI capabilities. They explore the benefits of Release 24, enhancements in design tools, and the excitement surrounding cafe one attachments. With a keen eye on upcoming events like InFocus and a humor-infused conversation on the edgy marketplace dynamics, the episode offers a blend of informative content and community camaraderie within the JD Edwards community.

00:00 Conference week was full of energy.

04:32 Sharing valuable resources and practical tips.

06:58 Lingo coverage, expanding interview opportunities, audience support.

12:15 Educate internally about JD Edwards, stay focused.

16:01 Energetic conference vibe influences product perception positively.

19:46 Allows immediate changes to applications, reports, media.

23:19 Orchestrator sessions decreasing, AI sessions rising. Trend continues.

23:57 Innovation requires practical use and real solutions.

30:14 Identifying areas for improvement and learnings shared.

31:17 Blueprint 40 - strategy, Focus - how to.

34:18 Swedish game had two versions, differing translations.

In this episode of JDE Connection, hosts Chandra and Paul engage in a detailed discussion with Ken Piddington, focusing on the multifaceted role of the business analyst (BA). Ken provides an overview of his company, US Silica, and their extensive use of JD Edwards (JDE) software following a major consolidation project. He highlights how integral BAs are to various phases of project lifecycles, from initial requirement gathering and stakeholder engagement to design, testing, and change management. Ken emphasizes the unique opportunities a BA role offers, citing its broad exposure to different aspects of an organization and the potential for career growth in numerous directions, such as project management, quality assurance, and business relationship management.

The conversation delves into how US Silica cultivates and retains BA talent, with Ken explaining the importance of aligning projects with individual interests and competencies to keep employees motivated. He confirms that successful BAs come from both technical and business backgrounds, as long as they possess key attributes like strong communication skills, problem-solving ability, and a willingness to learn. The episode wraps up with Ken discussing the importance of making employees feel that their contributions matter and connecting their day-to-day activities to the company's larger goals. He also outlines the steps his team takes to offer continuous learning opportunities and transparent communication about project impacts and company objectives.

00:00 Diverse product range for industrial and commercial use.

03:58 Diverse operations, JD pivotal in business success.

06:53 Importance of business analysts throughout project lifecycle.

11:44 Coaching University of Houston students in IT.

13:28 Business relationship manager facilitates technology-business partnerships.

18:09 Pairing up employees for informal training sessions.

20:29 Encouraging diverse skills and transparent communication.

23:36 Understanding individual role in company's success.

27:04 Transitioning from development to business analysis role.

Hosts Chandra and Paul facilitate a live session at BLUEPRINT 4D, focusing on the wide array of resources available within JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, the Quest Oracle Community, Oracle, and others. They engage with the audience to encourage participation and have a robust exchange of knowledge relating to JDE’s extensive tools and functionalities. Chandra and Paul delve into specific tools and emphasize their usefulness in day-to-day troubleshooting while also discussing recent enhancements. Both hosts are keen on raising awareness about the benefits of connecting with the community through platforms like Quest and regional user groups, which are pivotal for educational growth and networking. 

05:37 Identifying and accessing features through Product Catalog. 

06:50 Accessing feature and object information through Technical Catalog. 

12:48 Staying current, implementing, and replacing customizations. 

19:30 My Oracle Support is a go-to. 

22:40 Oracle offers Technical Briefing documents. 

24:01 Oracle EnterpriseOne Implementation Guides are essential. 

27:20 Preference for data browser or SQL depends on task. 

33:14 Enhancement for User Access Tracking. 

37:26 Involvement in SIG meetings and regional events. 

38:40 Quest forums updated for better user experience. 

44:11 Alternative tools such as Object Browser. 

46:46 Midwesternism of the day. 

In Episode 14 of The JDE Connection, hosts Chandra Wobschall and Paul Houtkooper sit down with guest Ken Piddington, VP and CIO at US Silica Company, and an active member of the Quest Oracle Community. The focus of the discussion is the new Quest Emerging Leaders program designed to enhance the leadership skills of the next generation of leadership within the community. This program targets core competencies vital for today’s leaders, including strategic focus, communication, and understanding diverse leadership styles tailored to various situations. Ken highlights the program’s intent to forge robust networks and foster continuous personal and professional growth amid the fast-evolving technological landscape. This program is due to be announced at the upcoming BLUEPRINT 4D conference in Dallas, Texas  May 7-10, and is open to both members and non-members of the Quest community, with special discounts offered to Quest members.  

04:09 Opportunities for leadership growth in any role. 

07:50 Adapt leadership styles for various situations. 

11:08 BLUEPRINT 4D program: Announce, run, and graduate in September. 

13:01 Program includes mentorship, networking, book club, recognition. 

17:30 Assess competencies, goals, and individual needs. 

21:56 Commit to time management, leadership support, progress updates. 

24:27 BLUEPRINT 4D program announcement and informational sessions upcoming. 

28:02 Communication skills essential for career and success. 

30:30 Executive communication requires specialized development and awareness. 

Resource Links and Information 

https://questoraclecommunity.org/emergingleaders 

https://questoraclecommunity.org/events/conferences/blueprint4d/ 

BLUEPRINT 4D Sessions: 

• Emerging Leaders Development Program Information Session | Innovation Theater – Trinity Exhibit Hall | Wednesday, May 8th @ 16:45 CT 
• Emerging Leader Coffee & Connect | Bottom of steps at Quest Booth | Wednesday, May 8th @ 08:30 CT