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Enabling De-Customization of PeopleSoft Through Cloud Migration for Improved Student Outcomes

March 2025
International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) 14(3):204-206

DOI:10.21275/SR25305090834

Authors:

Santhosh Varatharajan

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

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International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)

ISSN: 2319-7064

Impact Factor 2024: 7.101

Volume 14 Issue 3, March 2025

Fully Refereed | Open Access | Double Blind Peer Reviewed Journal

www.ijsr.net

Enabling De-Customization of PeopleSoft Through

Cloud Migration for Improved Student Outcomes

Santhosh Varatharajan

Sr Specialist, Microsoft Corporation, Apex North Carolina, USA

Email: santhosh.email4u[at]gmail.com

Abstract: Higher education institutions rely on PeopleSoft as a critical enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution to manage student

records, financial aid, human resources, and other administrative functions. However, excessive customizations have led to increased

complexity, higher maintenance costs, and hindered upgrades, ultimately affecting student outcomes. This paper explores how migrating

PeopleSoft to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) enables universities to streamline operations by reducing unnecessary customizations.

By leveraging OCI’s advanced automation, scalability, and security, institutions can adopt a clean configuration approach that enhances

system reliability, improves service delivery, and supports data - driven decision - making to drive better student experiences.

Keywords: PeopleSoft Migration, Enterprise Resource Planning, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Security, Customization, Compliance

1. Introduction

PeopleSoft has been a foundational ERP system for

universities, providing essential academic and

administrative functionalities. Over the years, institutions

have extensively customized PeopleSoft to align with unique

business processes [1]. However, these customizations have

increased system maintenance complexity, constrained

scalability, and delayed the adoption of new features that

could improve student services. Cloud migration presents an

opportunity to simplify and modernize PeopleSoft

deployments, allowing institutions to eliminate redundant

customizations while leveraging standard functionalities to

enhance efficiency and student outcomes [2].

2. Challenges of On - Premises PeopleSoft

Customizations

2.1 Legacy Customizations and Their Impact on Student

Experience

• Obsolete Customizations: Many modifications that

once addressed institutional needs are now redundant due

to advancements in delivered PeopleSoft features [3].

• Upgrade Complexity: Maintaining custom workflows

and integrations makes it difficult to adopt newer

PeopleSoft versions, delaying access to improved

functionalities [4].

• Administrative Inefficiencies: Customizations can

create process inconsistencies that lead to inefficiencies

in enrollment, financial aid distribution, and student

advising [5].

2.2 Performance and Scalability Constraints

• Resource Limitations: On - premises PeopleSoft

deployments require substantial infrastructure

management, limiting universities’ ability to scale

resources effectively [6].

• Peak Usage Bottlenecks: Registration, financial aid

disbursement, and course enrollment periods often cause

performance issues, frustrating students and staff [7].

2.3 Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Risks

• Data Integrity Challenges: Legacy environments may

lack robust disaster recovery and backup mechanisms,

increasing the risk of data loss [8].

• Compliance and Security Risks: On - premises

deployments require extensive security management,

making compliance with evolving data protection

regulations more complex [9].

3. How Cloud Migration Enables De -

Customization for Student Success

Migrating PeopleSoft to OCI provides institutions with a

robust cloud - native environment that simplifies operations,

eliminates unnecessary customizations, and improves

service delivery for students [10].

3.1 Standardization Through Delivered Functionality

• Leveraging PeopleSoft 9.2 Features: The latest version

includes pre - built capabilities that replace many legacy

customizations [11].

• Adopting a Clean Configuration Approach: Reducing

reliance on custom workflows and reports ensures easier

upgrades and streamlined system maintenance [12].

3.2 Cost Efficiency and Operational Agility

• Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Cloud

migration eliminates the need for physical infrastructure,

reducing costs by up to 52% [13].

• Optimized Resource Allocation: IT teams can focus on

innovation and student services instead of system

maintenance [14].

3.3 Performance and Scalability Improvements

• Dynamic Scaling: OCI adjusts resources automatically

to handle peak periods such as registration and financial

aid processing [15].

Paper ID: SR25305090834

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25305090834

204

International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)

ISSN: 2319-7064

Impact Factor 2024: 7.101

Volume 14 Issue 3, March 2025

Fully Refereed | Open Access | Double Blind Peer Reviewed Journal

www.ijsr.net

• Faster System Responses: High - performance

computing infrastructure accelerates transaction

processing, improving the student experience [16].

3.4 Disaster Recovery and Security Enhancements

• Automated Backups and High Availability: OCI

ensures data integrity with built - in disaster recovery

capabilities [17].

• Stronger Security Controls: Features like Transparent

Data Encryption (TDE) protect sensitive student records

from cyber threats [18].

3.5 PeopleSoft Cloud Manager: Simplifying Cloud

Migration

PeopleSoft Cloud Manager plays a crucial role in

streamlining the transition from on - premises to OCI [19,

20]. This tool provides an intuitive interface for automating

deployment, patching, and lifecycle management. With its

easy - to - use features, universities can efficiently migrate

to their PeopleSoft environments with minimal disruption

[21]. Cloud Manager allows institutions to lift and shift

existing configurations while enabling post - migration

optimization, making cloud adoption smoother and reducing

manual administrative tasks [22]. This automation ensures

that universities can focus on enhancing student services

rather than managing IT complexities.

Figure 1: PeopleSoft Cloud Manager

4. Roadmap for Universities: Transitioning to

Cloud for De - Customization

Phase 1: Assessment and Planning

• Conduct a comprehensive audit of existing

customizations.

• Engage stakeholders to determine which modifications

are essential.

• Define a roadmap for adopting standard PeopleSoft

functionalities.

Phase 2: Cloud Migration and Optimization

• Implement a lift - and - shift migration strategy with

PeopleSoft Cloud Manager.

• Optimize system configurations for performance and

security.

• Remove obsolete customizations and leverage delivered

functionality.

Phase 3: Post - Migration Enhancement

• Utilize automated testing frameworks to ensure system

stability.

• Conduct training programs to increase user adoption of

standard features.

• Continuously monitor system performance to improve

student service delivery.

5. Conclusion

Migrating PeopleSoft to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure enables

higher education institutions to move away from complex,

costly, and difficult - to - maintain customizations. By

embracing standard PeopleSoft functionalities, universities

can simplify system management, reduce costs, and improve

scalability. OCI’s automation, security, and disaster recovery

capabilities ensure long - term stability, allowing institutions

to focus on student success rather than IT maintenance [23].

The transition to cloud - based PeopleSoft deployments is a

strategic step toward enhancing operational efficiency and

delivering an optimized student experience.

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www.ijsr.net

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