The Oracle EPM Roadmap: A Consultative Look at the Path to April 2026

First, we must recognize the technical "why." Oracle is prioritizing the backend transition to Essbase 21c. For those of us with 20 years in Finance, we know that data integrity is the North Star. By ensuring that calculation accuracy and performance are ironclad before rolling out new features, Oracle is protecting the core value of the EPM suite. A stable, high-performing engine is worth more to a Controller than any "shiny" new UI feature. This pause isn't just a break; it’s an investment in the reliability of our month-end close.

In my capacity as a Google Workspace Professional, I often help Finance teams evaluate how to modernize their tech stack. Many are eager to move toward leaner, more secure environments, but they find themselves tethered to legacy setups due to the maturity of the desktop Smart View for Office.

Moving toward Google Sheets parity isn't just about personal preference; it’s a strategic move for the enterprise:

• Enhanced Security & DMARC Alignment: Cloud-native sheets reduce "data leakage" where sensitive financial files sit on unmanaged local drives. When your EPM data stays in the browser, your audit trail stays intact.
• Reduction of Technical Debt: Maintaining local installs of MS Office and the Smart View plugin across a global organization is an IT burden. A browser-based add-on simplifies the "Patch Tuesday" cycle significantly.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Shifting to browser-first workflows allows organizations to utilize more agile hardware (like Chromebooks or MacBooks) without compromising on their ability to perform deep-dive financial analysis.

To support this "Cloud-First" transition, here is my consultative wishlist for the next phase of the Google Sheets Add-on:

• Function Parity (HSGet/HSSet): For the "Power User," the ability to pull specific data points into a custom-formatted sheet is non-negotiable. Full function support in GSheets would be a game-changer for Board reporting.
• Integrated Process Management: The ability to trigger and monitor Business Rules or Data Loads directly from the Google Sheets sidebar would eliminate the "context switching" that currently slows down implementation.
• Metadata Navigation: A more robust member selector that allows for searching by Alias, Attribute, and UDA would bring the browser experience to the same "Pro" level we see in the Windows version.

We have 3 months of stability ahead of us. This is a rare gift for EPM Administrators. Instead of waiting for new features, I recommend focusing on System Hygiene:

• Metadata Spring Cleaning: Use this time to audit your EDM (Enterprise Data Management) hierarchies and prune redundant members.
• Performance Tuning: With the engine staying the same for 3 months, it’s the perfect time to benchmark and optimize your Business Rules for maximum speed.
• Security Audits: Review your DMARC reports and Workspace permissions to ensure that as your EPM data flows, it remains secure and deliverable.

The 3-month hiatus in Oracle EPM updates is not a time to stand still—it is a time to optimize, secure, and modernize. Whether you are looking to audit your existing metadata, transition your team to a cloud-first Google Workspace environment, or ensure your financial notifications are hitting the right inboxes with expert DMARC guidance, I am here to help.

With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of Finance and IT, I specialise in turning technical challenges into streamlined business processes.

Let’s prepare your roadmap for 2026 together.