How Is Your Oracle Redwood Upgrade Going? Kyte Tips for a Smooth Migration

To help you navigate this journey, we’ve compiled our top tips for migrating to Oracle Redwood based on real-world experiences and best practices. Let’s dive in and turn that panic into progress.

Why Redwood Migrations Can Feel Overwhelming

Oracle Redwood isn’t just a facelift—it’s a fundamental shift in how Oracle applications look, feel, and function. Its component-based architecture, built on Oracle JET (JavaScript Extension Toolkit), prioritizes modularity and a consumer-grade user experience. However, for organizations with heavily customized Oracle Fusion Applications or on-premises systems, the migration involves more than flipping a switch. Here’s why:

• Customisations Don’t Translate Easily: Extensions, configurations, and bespoke workflows may not map directly to Redwood’s framework.
• New Tech Stack: Redwood’s reliance on Oracle JET and modern web standards may require upskilling your team.
• Data and Integration Challenges: Legacy data structures and integrations need careful validation to ensure compatibility.
• Change Management: Redwood’s new UI can disrupt user workflows, requiring robust training and adoption strategies.

With the right approach, you can conquer these challenges. Here are our top tips to make your Redwood migration smoother.

Top Tips for Migrating to Oracle Redwood

1. Assess Your Current Environment Thoroughly

Before you touch a single line of code, map out your existing system. Identify all customisations, extensions, integrations, and configurations. Use Oracle’s Upgrade Readiness tools, like the Redwood Readiness Report, to pinpoint areas of incompatibility.

• Pro Tip: Document every custom object, workflow, and report. This inventory will be your lifeline when deciding what to migrate, reconfigure, or retire.
• Why It Matters: Without a clear baseline, you risk missing critical components or underestimating the effort required.

2. Engage Oracle’s Simplified Upgrade Process Early

Oracle’s Simplified Upgrade process is designed to streamline migrations to Redwood. It includes automated tools and guided workflows to minimise manual effort. Engage with Oracle Support or Kyte to leverage these resources.

• Pro Tip: Test the Simplified Upgrade in a sandbox environment before applying it to production. This helps uncover issues without risking live operations.
• Why It Matters: Automation reduces human error and accelerates the migration, but it’s not foolproof—testing is critical.

3. Prioritise Standardisation Over Customisation

Redwood’s out-of-the-box features are robust, often eliminating the need for heavy customizations. Review your current customizations and ask: Do we really need this? Adopt standard Redwood components wherever possible.

• Pro Tip: Use Oracle’s Visual Builder Studio to create lightweight extensions instead of hard-coded customisations. This keeps your system upgrade-friendly.
• Why It Matters: Fewer customisations mean faster migrations and lower maintenance costs in the long run.

4. Invest in Team Training and Upskilling

Redwood’s tech stack—Oracle JET, REST APIs, and modern JavaScript—may be unfamiliar to your IT team. Invest in training early to bridge the skills gap.

• Pro Tip: Oracle University offers Redwood-specific courses, including hands-on labs. Pair these with internal knowledge-sharing sessions to build momentum.
• Why It Matters: A skilled team can troubleshoot issues faster and reduce reliance on external consultants.

5. Plan Robust Testing and Validation

Redwood’s new UI and backend changes can break existing workflows, reports, or integrations. Create a comprehensive testing plan that covers functional, performance, and user acceptance testing (UAT).

• Pro Tip: Use Oracle’s Autonomous Testing tools to automate repetitive test cases, freeing your team to focus on complex scenarios.
• Why It Matters: Thorough testing catches issues before they impact end-users, ensuring a smoother go-live.

6. Focus on Change Management and User Adoption

Redwood’s sleek interface is a big change for users accustomed to older Oracle UIs. Develop a change management strategy that includes training, communication, and support.

• Pro Tip: Create role-specific quick-reference guides and host “Redwood Roadshows” to demo the new UI. Encourage feedback to address user concerns early.
• Why It Matters: Engaged users are more likely to embrace the change, reducing resistance and support tickets post-launch.

7. Leverage Oracle’s Ecosystem and Community

You don’t have to go it alone. Leverage your Oracle partner or Kyte, user groups, and community forums for insights and support. Events like Oracle CloudWorld offer opportunities to learn from peers who’ve completed Redwood migrations.

• Pro Tip: Join the Oracle Customer Connect community to access migration playbooks and connect with other organisations.
• Why It Matters: Real-world advice from peers can help you avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your project.

Don’t Panic—Plan!

Migrating to Oracle Redwood is no small feat, especially for highly customised systems. But with careful planning, the right tools, and a focus on standardisation, you can turn complexity into opportunity. Redwood’s modern, intuitive design is worth the effort, delivering a better user experience and future-proofing your Oracle investment.

Step back, reassess, and apply these tips to get your migration back on track. If you need help in any of these steps, get in touch today.