As Oracle readies the next release of Primavera P6, here’s what we can expect to see in this upcoming new version. This release will be Primavera P6 16.1. This is in keeping with Oracle’s new version numbering, with “16” representing the year and “1” representing the first release of that year. We are expecting Primavera P6 16.1 to be released imminently, although many thought Oracle would announce it at this years Collaborate 16 user conference which is being held in Las Vegas on April 10-14.
Oracle has said that their goal is for two releases in 2016, so 16.1 is the first of these. 16.2 is expected to be released in the 3rd/4th Quarter 0f 2016. Below are the projected release dates for the Primavera product line
Primavera Release Schedule
Here are the highlights and enhancements that we can expect in the Primavera P6 16.1 release.
Bye Java Applets
Java applets are going and this will dramatically reduce user frustration and IT support headaches for organizations. Also, for those of you who would like to use Chrome as your default browser, this is a step in the right direction. Primavera P6 15.2 made great strides to replace the Java applets and 16.1 is only going to continue this much further.
Views that are going to get the HTML5 makeover include:
- Advanced HTML5 Activity and EPS View
- Basic HTML5 Resource Assignment View
- Daily Timescale in Team Usage View
Replacing the Java applets is good news and will solve many user and IT frustrations. The existing Applet-based pages will be called Classic View.
Search & Replace
The Global Search & Replace features in P6 will get additional functionality creating an even more robust capability for users and admins.
Primavera P6 Professional
The installation process is going to be on the receiving end of improvements with a more streamlined approach and easier installation process. Also the Primavera P6 Professional application not have the JRE in it anymore further simplifying the installation and management of the tool.
Finally, in Primavera P6 Visualizer will sport a new Schedule Comparison feature.
Primavera Analytics 16.1
Primavera Analytics, a business intelligence solution that provides insights into your projects and portfolios in Primavera P6 EPPM gets a few new features including:
- Unifier Space Management and Business Process support for facilities and real estate management.
- Primavera P6 role utilization metrics across all your Primavera P6 projects down to daily granularity.
- Initial support for Oracle Business Intelligence 12c including its new self-service Data Visualization module
Primavera Gateway 16.1
Primavera Gateway which is a standard data integration solution for connecting Primavera applications internally and with other enterprise applications get some significant enhancements including:
- Flexible Object Mapping: Extending OTTB capabilities to configure advanced conditions and rules for mapping source and target data
- New XML Provider
- Usability enhancements
- Inventory of OOTB integrations and flows
Primavera Gateway 16.1
Summary
We’ll get a much closer look at these and more new features once Primavera P6 16.1 is released. Also, Oracle will no doubt be offering webinars within the next week or so and they’ll be plenty of coverage at the Collaborate 16 conference next month. In the meantime, we can all salivate over what we know already and look forward to upgrading once it’s released.