The PSFT Connection

Ep 10 - From paper piles to digital power with Jeff Dudas, Sarasota Memorial Health Care

This episode is packed full of insight from Jeff Dudas, ERP expert at Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System. He shares insights into the organization’s journey to transfer paper-based documents and processes to electronic ones using PeopleSoft. The discussion covers the implementation of an electronic project request form to replace a manual, paper-based process, a successful go-live with PeopleSoft grants that eliminated reliance on a third-party Access database, and the organization’s upgrade strategy for PeopleTools 8.62. Additionally, Jeff details a novel AI-powered automation project for non-PO invoice processing, highlighting improved efficiency, user adoption, and change management lessons. Listeners can look forward to upcoming presentations on grants and AI at Blueprint4D, reflecting Sarasota’s commitment to leveraging PeopleSoft innovation for business success. 01:05 Jeff Dudas PeopleSoft Journey 02:02 Project Request Form 11:00 Grants Go Live 17:03 PT 8.62 Upgrade 22:57 AI empowered invoicing for non-PO invoices 29:26 BP4D 2026 sessions

Ep 9 - PeopleTools 8.62 with Rajesh Thiru

In this episode of PSFT Connection, co-hosts Brooke Repine and Stephen Valentine are joined by Rajesh Thiru, ERP Manager at Powers Health, to discuss their experience as early adopters of PeopleTools 8.62. Rajesh Thiru shares insights about Powers Health’s annual PeopleSoft upgrade strategy, their approach to implementing new functionality like the landing page and Fluid Work Centers, and the importance of user collaboration throughout the process. Listeners will also hear about what’s in store for their upcoming Blueprint 4D conference presentation. 01:15 Rajesh Thiru’s Current Role at Powers Health 02:25 Yearly Upgrade Strategy 04:30 PeopleTools 8.62 and the Landing Page Benefits 06:42 Involving End Users in the Process 15:44 Customization Insights 18:45 Updating PTF Scripts for this Upgrade 22:55 Additional Benefits of PeopleTools 8.62 30:25 BP4D 2026 Early Registration Discount

Ep 8 - PeopleTools 8.62 & new Landing Page with Sasank Vemana

In this episode of the PeopleSoft Connection podcast, co-hosts Stephen Valentine and Brooke Repine sit down with Sasank Vemana from Oracle to dive into the latest PeopleTools 8.62 release and its standout features. The conversation centers on the new Landing Page functionality, designed to streamline the user experience and enhance productivity, as well as Customization Insights, which helps organizations better manage and evaluate their customizations. Listeners are encouraged to explore the new capabilities, join the Quest community, and share feedback to help shape future product development. 00:40 Introducing Sasank and his role at Oracle 01:50 New Landing Page – what is it? 05:01 Key features released in PeopleTools 8.62 06:11 Look and feel of new Landing Page 12:18 How to Get Started 14:16 Delivered Landing Page Examples 15:49 Landing Page Modeler Tool 16:53 Resources 21:31 Quest PeopleTools Technology User Group 24:16 Customization Insights

Ep 7 - 2025 Year in Review

As 2025 comes to a close, The PeopleSoft Connection looks back on a year defined by practical learning and strong community momentum. The podcast evolved into a forum where customers, product experts, and peers could share how they are using PeopleSoft functionality to solve real business problems. Join Co-Hosts, Brooke Repine of Samaritan’s Purse and Stephen Valentine of Milton Hershey School, as they recap the first season that explored how organizations are modernizing their PeopleSoft environments—without over-customizing or over-complicating. Beyond the technology itself, the conversations emphasized something equally important: community. Listeners heard how starting small can lead to meaningful wins, how peer-led SIGs and working sessions helped us move our projects along, and how channels like Idea Space and focus groups give customers a real voice in the product’s future. In this year-end reflection episode, Stephen and Brooke revisit key moments from the season, share what they learned along the way, and look ahead to 2026—highlighting upcoming enhancements, Blueprint 4D, and the continued evolution of PeopleSoft. Fluid WorkCenters & User Experience (1:23) Key takeaways from the Fluid WorkCenters discussion, adoption lessons, and what’s next with the Work Management Framework. PeopleSoft Insights: From Data to Decisions (2:15) Why starting small matters, Workforce Insights as an entry point, and how teams shifted from reporting to analytics. PeopleSoft Test Framework (PTF) (3:51) What’s changed since early PTF days, why automation is more achievable now, and the value of community-led working sessions. Configuration over Customization (5:10) Page and Field Configurator, change tracking, notifications, and why small configuration changes can drive outsized value. Mobile Asset Inventory & Idea Space (5:36) Real-world use of mobile asset scanning and how customers can influence the PeopleSoft roadmap through Idea Space and focus groups. Blueprint 4D, Innovator Awards & 2026 Outlook (7:10) Community challenges, upcoming enhancements, and a call to stay engaged in the year ahead.

Ep 6 - Interview with Tina Thames

This episode brings together the voices of organizations serving communities around the world and the PeopleSoft tools that help them operate with purpose and precision. Stephen Valentine (Milton Hershey School) and Brooke Repine (Samaritan’s Purse) sit down with Tina Thames, Director of PeopleSoft Asset Lifecycle Management (ALM) Product Strategy, to explore one of the most anticipated enhancements of the year: QR-code-based mobile asset tracking and physical inventory.  Opening: Gratitude Month and Mission Work  Stephen and Brooke open with a reflection on gratitude—highlighting the mission-driven work of their organizations, the operational backbone PeopleSoft provides, and the dedicated people behind the scenes who make it all work.  Tina’s PeopleSoft Journey (2:22)  QR Codes & Mobile Inventory: A Game-Changer (3:29)  Decentralizing Asset Ownership (6:12)  Implementation Guidance (10:39)  Idea Space and Customer-Driven Innovation (14:37)  SIG Groups & Focus Groups (18:07)  Looking Ahead: QR Codes Beyond ALM (25:43)  Closing Thoughts (28:00)