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Hard Times for PeopleSoft Pros?

It's a new year and many are certainly glad that 2008 is gone. So, we all look forward to a brand new year with new hopes. But, is 2009 going to be better or worse?

Now, I am not a dooms day person that likes to tell you that the sky is falling. In fact, I am definitely a glass half full kind of guy. However, I know many colleagues in this industry that are having difficult times.

For example, I know several people that are having difficulty finding a new PeopleSoft contract. I also know several recruiters and individuals from consulting companies that are having to find other work because of the downfall of less and less job requisitions.

Oracle Corp. has even trimmed its workforce, although not as much as some people had speculated, Oracle cut around 500 positions in its North American sales and consulting businesses. That's really not that much in light of the fact that there are over 37,000 people employed by Oracle.

Nonetheless, times seem a bit more difficult than they have been in a long time. So, I have several questions for discussion.

1. Do you think there are less PeopleSoft upgrades and implementations than before?

2. Are companies just waiting to kick off their projects?

3. Should PeopleSoft Professionals start obtaining other skills for a different career path?

Please chime in and give your 2 cents. Inquiring minds want to know

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Michelle Cessnun Comment by Michelle Cessnun on May 26, 2009 at 4:01pm
I have been recruiting in the Peoplesoft industry for 10 years and have seen many ups and downs but never to this degree. All ERP consulting work has slowed, but I have seen it affect Peoplesoft more dramatically than the other software packages. However with that said, I do not think it is time to jump ship quite yet. All ERP's have their ups and downs and this is just the down time for Peoplesoft. We have seen some of our clients move over to SAP and others to Oracle, but the majority of Peoplesoft clients do not want to move off of the product. They like it, the end-users like it and it is just a far better fit for their business. I believe Oracle has also been getting that message. Most of our clients were not jumping up and down to upgrade to 9.0 they did not see any big reason to invest the money in this market, but 9.1 seems to be making more of an impression. I think there will be a big jump in activity surrounding the 9.1 upgrades and additional projects that will follow on. Not sure when that will happen, but I would not hang up my Peoplesoft hat just yet.
Martha Sigel Comment by Martha Sigel on January 29, 2009 at 10:32am
I still think PeopleSoft is great softwrare! I hope it's not true.
Jason W. Comment by Jason W. on January 27, 2009 at 9:27pm
Very interesting comments. I'm currently trying to weigh the pros and cons of leaving my full time corporate job for PeopleSoft consulting opportunities.
Lila Ravve Comment by Lila Ravve on January 22, 2009 at 4:13pm
There seems to be far fewer opportunities and far more consultants applying for what is available. I also think that as SaaS continues to grow as a solution, there will be a decline in opportunities for PeopleSoft, SAP and any other ERP software. There will be consulting opportunities with SaaS, but it will be different. There won't be the same level of configuration and technical assistance. Right now, SaaS customers are expecting a turn key solution, but over time, they will grow in their use of consulting services.
K. Raemuse Brooks Comment by K. Raemuse Brooks on January 21, 2009 at 12:39pm
Greetings Derek,

In reference to the three-fold question under discussion -

1A: Yes, based upon Recruiter response and the lack of Upgrades/Implementation postings, I believe there to be less work. Many IT Budgets have been frozen or cut all together which has left several holes in the PeopleSoft sector --- US primarily.

2A: Sustainment seems to be the goal for the next 12-18 months due to Budgetary constraints. One of my former clients had 2,000 IT resources. They have released most contractors and laid-off much of the IT workforce. They are in a sustainment mode for the near future.

3A: Yes, Yes, and Yes!!!! Discovering and Developing alternative skills is a must to supplement the experienced PeopleSoft background. It can only help, and may lead to new opportunities based upon method-of-association, which should match current strengths with other business needs. FYI, I know several Consultants that have transitioned their technical skills into Sales and Marketing and Training organizations.

'Peace '09,
K. Raemuse Brooks
Chidi Ozurigbo Comment by Chidi Ozurigbo on January 21, 2009 at 12:12pm
I noticed the lull in PS contract work this new year. One may think that this may change as the year picks up. I know a couple of PS professionals moving on to SAP.
vna Comment by vna on January 21, 2009 at 11:39am
I guess all of us (PS Pros) have been looking for that answer- Regarding if growth in the PeopleSoft area still persists- but that has been complicated by the current state of economy- all the ERP projects (upgrades, implementations etc) have slowed down, in general. I have seen a few new PS 9.0 clients in the Dallas area though in 2008). But it is too soon to say if we have to jump ship- I have seen other ERP suites (SAP, Oracle) and I should say that PeopleSoft is really better to use in most of the aspects, especially from the user side. Although Oracle is pushing its hideous Oracle 12g over PeopleSoft, I hope clients choose their better version- Peoplesoft or a PeopleSoft dominated fusion project in the future. Hopefully we will get some answers this year. I would love to see other's responses too over here regarding the same! ....and fingers crossed!

Answers to your Qs:

1. Yes, there are less implementations/upgrades, but look at the economy!
2. Absolutely- again, look at the economy!
3. Too soon to say if PS Pros have to retool themselves. It is good to have an outlook though.
David Villarreal Comment by David Villarreal on January 21, 2009 at 11:36am
I think the upgrades occur just as frequently as they have in the past. However, I have found that many of my clients are now turning to the cheap labor force in India to do the upgrade work or take over their IT work overall. I have come to the conclusion that it is time to start looking for a new career path, while still doing IT work as a hobby. The ability to find good contracts, and make a decent living, is slowly going away. Just like what happened in the manufacturing industry, IT works could be waiting tables soon just to put food on the table...

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