Oracle is introducing significant changes for users of its platform. With major developments in security, intelligent forecasting and technical compliance, version 25.08 provides Finance departments with a more robust, agile and forward-looking environment
Enhanced security: Java 17, TLS 1.3 and sensitive parameter management
The August 2025 Oracle EPM Cloud update now requires the use of Java 17 for EPM Automate users, ending support for Java 8. This transition is essential to benefit from cybersecurity best practices.
Another notable change: the TLS 1.3 protocol is becoming mandatory. Configurations using TLS 1.2 will no longer be supported, an enhancement designed to ensure fully encrypted data transmission in line with the latest standards.
In addition, parameters marked as "Secure" in Other Web Services Provider connections will no longer be exportable or importable from this release onwards, further strengthening the protection of sensitive credentials in integration processes.
Augmented intelligence: launch of Advanced Forecasting
This is undoubtedly the flagship new feature of the August 2025 release: the introduction of the "Advanced Forecasting" feature. Previously limited to univariate forecasts (based on a single variable), the platform now enables multivariate forecasts.
Thanks to this innovation, users can combine several factors – sales history, marketing campaigns, seasonality, economic indicators – to generate more reliable and dynamic predictions. This enhancement leverages Machine Learning technologies natively integrated into Oracle EPM, while remaining accessible through simple interfaces (Web UI or Smart View).
Finance, HR and Sales teams will see this as a practical opportunity to make their plans, budgets and scenarios more reliable.
Access rationalisation and governance
Oracle continues to improve user role governance. From version 25.08 onwards, users with a Power User role will be required to have write permissions in target directories to create or modify forms, dashboards or subfolders. This measure ensures better traceability and prevents unauthorised changes.
In addition, from version 25.09 scheduled for September, Oracle will apply a new rule: any folder containing a slash (« / ») in its name will be automatically changed to prevent errors during automatic backups. This compliance update prepares environments for even more stable management.
Groovy rule validation
Oracle is also announcing a revision of its Groovy engine, with stricter validation rules from this release onwards. To facilitate the transition, an integrated migration tool is provided to help users identify and correct existing rules that no longer comply with the standards.
Deployment & recommendations
The August 2025 Oracle EPM Cloud update (25.08) was made available in test environments at the beginning of August and will be progressively deployed to production from 15 August 2025. Oracle recommends:
Updating Java to version 17
Checking system compatibility with TLS 1.3
Adjusting Power User permissions
Correcting non-compliant folder names
Testing Groovy rules
Enabling and testing advanced forecasting features
source: docs.oracle.com
