Thoughts on EPM 11.2 Certification Matrix

The EPM 11.2 Certification Matrix was released not long after the software. I’d like to share a few thoughts about what’s currently in this matrix.

First of all, I’d encourage Oracle to do further regression testing and update the matrix, as I’m already getting questions like these:

• Why isn’t Windows Server 2016 listed?
• Yes, Windows Server 2012 R2 is coming out of Microsoft Extended Support in a few years, but will it work there?
• The only version of MS SQL Server listed is 2016 (one person told me they tried it on 2019 and it didn’t work, so he’s downgrading to 2016).
• The Firefox ESR version numbers are not listed. In EPM 11.1.2.4, certain EPM screens stopped working once you surpassed a certain Firefox version. Has this been fixed in 11.2?
• Windows 10 is the only supported Windows OS listed. What about 8.1? Not everyone has finished their migration to 10 yet.
• Why is Windows Server 2012 listed as a certified client OS, but not as a certified server OS?
• JRE 8 is the only client Java update supported? Is the EPM system not backward-compatible for organizations who haven’t completed their client desktop updates yet?
• Certification Matrices for 11.1.2.4 and prior listed Microsoft Office versions. Microsoft Office is conspicuously missing here. We know 365 Cloud won’t be certified until a newer version of SmartView is released, but could we get some details in the meantime?

No mention of Microsoft Edge. We know this is on the roadmap, but it would be nice to see a statement in the matrix to the effect of “not supported yet; to be certified in a subsequent patch” or “it is certified now”.

Speaking for myself, I’ve got a secret underground bunker/mad scientist lab with a 6-month Trial Edition of MS Windows Server 2016 and MS SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition. I’ve gotten through the EPM 11.2.0.0 install and config, and everything works fine except for Oracle HTTP Server 12. I’ll write a separate post on that once I complete the troubleshooting process and can actually login.

The certification matrix is widely considered to be a “one-stop shop” on these types of questions, rather than having to wade through a variety of readmes, installation and admin guides. I’d love to see the matrix tightened up and improved.

Want to learn more about what I’ve learned about EPM 11.2? Download my white paper, “From the Mad Scientist’s Lab: An Assessment of Oracle Hyperion/EPM 11.2.”