How do I learn about Hyperion / Oracle EPM System?

This posting is for those folks new to Essbase/Hyperion / Oracle EPM System. You're just starting out... where to go?

Where to start in Oracle EPM System / Hyperion… Training is the best place to start when learning Oracle EPM System. For Planning or Essbase, start with Essbase. Planning data is stored in Essbase (so does the new Hyperion Profitability & Cost Management solution and other upcoming tools) so learning the fundamentals of Essbase is key. I definitely recommend attending interRel or Oracle training classes.

Attend the conferences – Collaborate 2009 (May) will host a number of presentations on Oracle EPM System with a focus for the business users. Kaleidoscope 2009 (June) will provide an extensive track on Oracle EPM System with a focus for the administrators and developers. Last year Kaleidoscope was essentially a 4 day advanced Essbase training course (limited marketing, main content focus) and I expect this year to be even better.

If training isn’t possible with your budget, find live / recorded webcasts and literature. Shameless but helpful plug: interRel offers FREE webcasts on Oracle EPM System / Hyperion every Thursday at 1pm CST. Oracle and other partners host webcasts as well. How do you find about them? Join a user group like ODTUG, OAUG, IOUG, or local user groups.

Related to available reading…We’ve also written two books on Essbase: Look Smarter Than You Are with Essbase System 9 that will teach you Essbase from start to finish, building an Essbase database, managing the database, and analyzing data in the database and for end users, we have written Look Smarter Than You Are with Essbase: An End User’s Guide. Coming early next year we will have the 11x Essbase books out along with a Hyperion Planning series. I would love to recommend some other books but as of now there aren’t any other Essbase/Hyperion specific books.

You can also get some good information in the technical documentation as well – http://www.oracle.com/technology/documentation/epm.html.

Definitely join the Users forum - http://forums.oracle.com/forums/category.jspa?categoryID=16

Blogs are a great way to learn and find information… My favorite blogs for Hyperion / Oracle EPM System:
http://www.looksmarter.blogspot.com/
http://www.looksmarterthanyouare2.blogspot.com/
http://glennschwartzbergs-essbase-blog.blogspot.com/
http://essbaselabs.blogspot.com/
http://john-goodwin.blogspot.com/
http://timtows-hyperion-blog.blogspot.com/

Download and install the applications and begin to play with them. Make sure to read the installation documentation because order is important as you install / configure the components. Most of the products have sample applications that you can utilize to learn about the various features.

And finally (last shameless plug), give your friendly consultants a call. I personally recommend interRel Consulting. :-)