There was so much to take in, from the keynote and the presentations to all those great conversations we had with the JDE community, learning about your great success stories and challenges.

Here's what we will be thinking about over the next weeks and months.

AI & Enterprise Automation: From Hype to High-Value Results

So yes, AI was mentioned at least 500 times a day, but we definitely noticed a shift, conversations at Infocus 25 focused on pragmatic, real-world applications within the ERP. We all know we need to do something about AI, and we need to do it now, but no surprise, the JDE community is taking a considered and steady approach to AI Adoption. What we came away with was that AI is a tool, albeit a very powerful tool. When looking at where to start with AI:

• Look at your processes. Really think how will AI transform each process. Sometimes the answer will be a more efficient process, sometimes AI might make the process obsolete. 
• Don’t get blinded by the tech, avoid the shiny object syndrome. Just because you can solve a problem with AI doesn't necessarily mean you should. What's that saying, when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail? AI is not the only show in town. There may be more cost-effective, simpler solutions we talk about this in our blog : A Practical Approach to AI Strategy
• Ensure the discussions are business-led.

As process and JDE experts, you’ll have a key role to play in helping leadership understand what is feasible and where is a good place to start. One suggestion is to start with non-customer-facing processes, do your learning there, this diminishes risk while your teams are still on the learning curve.

We were delighted that one of the AI use cases was presented by Redfaire client Adnams, who are using Agentic AI and Orchestrator to rapidly and efficiently deliver business solutions.

What Did AI Think of INFOCUS?

Since AI was the most talked-about topic at INFOCUS, we decided to ask AI what its key takeaways from Infocus were. This is very meta, we know! We used Google NotebookLM to create a podcast-style audio based on this blog. Have a listen and see what you think. For our part, we echo what our robot podcaster friends say during the audio, "Just wow!"

Proof, if any were needed, of the pace at which AI is evolving.

Click on the image below to listen to the audio.

 

The Power of JD Edwards Orchestrator

We saw how JDE Orchestrator continues to evolve and enhance ERP automation. The JDE team demoed how the new Enterprise Automation Framework—powered by Orchestrator—is enabling businesses to build dynamic workflows. This isn’t just about making things faster; it’s about eliminating manual data entry, reducing errors, and empowering companies to gain a competitive edge.

This was arguably the most impactful announcement. The new Process Modeler gives businesses a low-code/no-code, web-based tool to visually define, monitor, and measure key processes. You can now generate a process flow diagram based on live data and see real-time metrics and KPIs directly on the model. This is a game-changer for process optimization, helping businesses identify hidden inefficiencies and opportunities for automation.

 

Continuous Innovation & the Power of Community

A clear message from the Oracle team was their unwavering commitment to JD Edwards. They reaffirmed their continuous innovation strategy and the long-term support policy, guaranteeing Premier Support until at least 2036. This is a massive vote of confidence that provides immense peace of mind for IT decision-makers and business leaders.

Data & Insights: Turning Information into Intelligence

Another trend was the evolution of data from a raw asset into a strategic tool for business intelligence. Sessions demonstrated how companies are moving beyond traditional reports to real-time, AI in ERP-driven insights. The new widgets, dashboards, and analytics tools presented at the conference allow users to visualize data, identify bottlenecks, and make data-driven decisions directly from their screens. This shift empowers every user, from the warehouse floor to the C-suite, to understand and optimize their processes.

JD Edwards and International Roll Outs – Localizations

Our Redfaire presentation, "Around the World in 45 Minutes," provided a rapid-fire tour of the latest news on JDE Localizations, another proof-point, if one was needed, that Oracle continues to invest in JDE. We had international ERP experts from across the Redfaire International Network in the room and dialling in from around the world. We highlighted the complexities and solutions for international ERP rollouts, from managing unique tax laws in Brazil and e-invoicing in Europe to handling statutory reporting in countries across Asia.

Release 25 & 26: A Look Ahead

Oracle provided a detailed roadmap for the upcoming releases. Release 25 introduces powerful enhancements to the user experience, stronger security, and deeper integration with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). The real buzz, however, was around the planned Release 26, which promises to simplify adoption processes and bring new functionality to existing modules. This roadmap underscores Oracle's commitment to modernizing the platform and ensuring it remains a relevant and powerful ERP solution. 

JDE Sustainability Tools

With the increasing importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting, JDE’s sustainability module continues to evolve. You can now capture and manage environmental data, such as fuel and energy consumption, directly within JD Edwards. While it integrates with external tools for reporting, this new functionality provides a standardized foundation for businesses to track their environmental impact and meet growing compliance demands.

The Bottom Line

JD Edwards combines the best of both worlds: our sure and steady ERP that we love and trust, and a flexible platform that is evolving rapidly, driven by AI, automation, and a strong user community. This is a platform built for continuous innovation, offering a stable and forward-looking solution for businesses worldwide.

The energy and feedback on the sessions we presented on:

• Low Code Development using Oracle’s VBCS and
• Taking a practical approach to modernizing JD Edwards

are testaments to the community's huge appetite to learn, develop, and ensure that JDE continues to deliver competitive advantage.

Want to explore how these new trends and features can impact your business? Get in touch with our team.