Customer Reviews

Understanding PeopleSoft 8

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you're looking for guidance on administering or using PeopleSoft version 8 this book is going to disappoint you. If, however, you are responsible for implementing PeopleSoft (or upgrading from 7.x), this is *the* book to get. In fact, much of this book can be applied to SAP R/3, Baan, JDE or other ERP implementations - where the book outlines PeopleSoft-specific information, you can use the chapter headings to outline the technical and configuration requirements of any ERP system.

What I especially like is the thoroughness and level of detail that the author gives. Do not think that this is a 'gold plated' plan that is based on Big 5 practices. It isn't. There are no steps that can be omitted by any prudent CIO or consulting company (I gave the entire book a critical review to see if there were any). What you get is a realistic look at what it takes from business, process, organizational and technical perspectives to implement PeopleSoft in particular, and any ERP system in general. The scope and magnitude of the effort as outlined is realistic, and covers the full implementation life cycle from determining the value of PeopleSoft to your organization, the impact on business processes, full costs of implementation and ownership, and the milestones. Moreover, this book covers post implementation factors and costs, which is among the most thorough I've encountered.

There are a few areas where the book gets hazy, such as capacity and performance planning. The author rightfully claims that each platform has different characteristics, and the vendor should be consulted. I actually found the key to developing a first cut capacity and performance plan in PeopleSoft's documentation, so it can be done in a generic fashion.

Here are the highlights of this book as I see them:

- a complete description of the features in PeopleSoft 8 (which are significantly different from version 7), and a high level comparison between the two versions.

- realistic assessment of post implementation support (often overlooked)

- step-by-step, detailed planning and implementation milestones (so well done that I'm frankly shocked that Cap Gemini Ernst & Young allowed this book to be published since it gives away valuable advice that is that company's intellectual capital)

- one of the best technical descriptions of PeopleSoft 8 I've read (you'd have to spend much more time going through PeopleDocs and other sources to get the same knowledge that this book provides)

If you're a consultant who specializes in PeopleSoft (or any other ERP) implementation, a CIO who needs the complete picture of ramifications, or a project manager who is charged with managing an implementation or upgrade this book will be your best friend.

This is more of a how-to book for doing an ERP implentation. It is NOT a book on PeopleSoft 8. Only very basic information is covered on the product. Don't buy this expecting to learn PS 8.

I just recently purchased this book for the purpose of understanding the components of an implementation. This book is handy in displaying a proper methodology for implementations. It follows the "Big Consulting Firm" Methods and practices. I highly recommend this book for companies that are in the initial phase of their implementation. It is not a step by step guide on navigation of 8.0.

A useful guide if you are implementing an ERP for the first time, never seen/used PeopleSoft and don't understand the consultant's methodology.

It is not good on Version 8 specifically and is of little to no value for existing implementations.

I found a huge amount of content devoted to the Windows Client when version 8 is about moving from this to the web. It seems this book was originally written about how to implement Version 7.5 and then had revisions when version 8 was released prior to the publish date.

Better title would have been Understanding PeopleSoft, without the "8" bit.

Covers history, planning, organizational, and roles and responsibilities for implementing a PeopleSoft installation. Also includes patch and environment planning. It's an all around reference. It helped give me a good overview of most aspects of the PeopleSoft 8.

This book gives you a good breath of exposure into what is needed for most Peoplesoft implementations. Although, no book can give you real world experience and express it into words, this book comes close. It has good examples and covers most of the general pitfalls I have seen in the past. Although, at times the book seems to focus on the older user interface but it doesn't change the general issues and approach.

If you are in the process of implementing Peoplesoft, this is a good book to get.

I bought this book used from Book Biz by Jan through Amazon. It was exactly as described and in much better than expected condition. It was a very reasonable price and I received the book very quickly using standard shipping. I recommend Book Biz by Jan and am once again very pleased with the excellent operation of Amazon.com. Thanks very much.

I found this book very useful for my implementation, especially functionally. I would recommend it to anyone who is considering an upgrade or purchase of version 8.