Last month we discussed the two interlocking support policies that affect E-Business Suite users:
  1. Oracle’s Lifetime Support Policy
    Specifies support dates for major EBS release codelines
    (e.g. EBS 11.5.10.2, 12.0, 12.1) — and by implication, the latest EBS
    patchset for a given codeline. The Lifetime Support Policy presents
    support definitions and dates for three different levels of support: 
    Premier, Extended, and Sustaining. 
     
  2. E-Business Suite Error Correction Support Policy (Note 1195034.1)
    Specifies support principles for EBS release update packs
    for a given EBS releases codeline covered by Premier Support.  Examples
    of EBS release update packs (RUPs) include EBS 12.0.2, 12.0.3, 12.0.4,
    12.0.5, 12.0.6, 12.1.2, 12.1.3. 
The first version of the Error Correction Support Policy introduced the concept of grace periods to allow you time to upgrade to the latest E-Business Suite Release Update Pack.  Generally speaking, this window was eighteen months.

Your feedback led us to review this policy.  In response to your comments, we’ve made a number of important changes to relax these support policies.  These changes are published in Version 2 of the E-Business Suite Error Correction Support Policy released earlier this month. 

The central theme of these changes is to simplify your maintenance planning by providing you with more detailed information about the dates by which specific Release Update Packs will become minimum baselines for new patches.  In most cases, the new policy allows for more than 18 months to apply the latest Release Update Pack. 

These changes have important operational implications for all
E-Business Suite 12 users.  We strongly recommend that you review them
carefully.

What’s Changed in Version 2 of this policy?
1. Clarified the relationship between one-off patches and Release Update Packs

In
particular, we’ve given more information about the conditions under
which one-off patches are created, as well as the minimum release
requirements for one-off patches.

2. Replaced the “18 month grace period for N-1 RUPs” concept for general EBS 12 products with simpler baselines
  • E-Business Suite Release Update Pack 12.0.4 for EBS 12.0 after January 2011.
  • E-Business Suite Release Update Pack 12.1.3 for EBS 12.1 after January 2013.
3. Clarified specific exceptions for minimum baselines for two EBS areas
  • EBS modules that are subject to annual legislative updates
  • Applications Technology Group Release Update Packs:
  • ATG Release Update Pack 12.0.6 will be the minimum baseline for EBS 12.0 on February 1, 2011
  • ATG Release Update Pack 12.1.2 will be the minimum baseline for EBS 12.1 on July 1, 2011
  • ATG Release Update Pack 12.1.3 will be the minimum baseline for EBS 12.1 on February 1, 2012
4. Described the process of transitioning from Premier Support to Extended Support

A
minimum level of suite‐wide Release Update Packs, product family
Release Update Packs, Critical Patch Updates, and applicable technology
stack certifications will be set for each E‐Business Suite release
prior to its transition from Premier Support to Extended Support.
Although
the minimum requirements have not been finalized yet, we’ve listed some
preliminary baselines for both E-Business Suite 12.0 and 12.1 to help
you with your maintenance and upgrade planning.
What about E-Business Suite technology stack components?

It’s
important to remember that Fusion Middleware and database components in
EBS instances are separate from the the ATG Release Update Packs and
are governed by their own support policies and dates.  This applies to
the technology stack components installed by the E-Business Suite Rapid
Install (e.g. Oracle Forms, OC4J, database).  This also applies to
external standalone components (e.g. Oracle Single Sign-On, Discoverer,
SOA Suite) that you may have integrated with your E-Business Suite
environment.

You must also plan to update those technology
stack components on an ongoing basis.  If you’re interested in learning
more about the implications of Fusion Middleware and database support
windows for E-Business Suite users, see these two articles: Related Articles