Unlocking the Power of Redwood: Your Complete Guide to Oracle HCM Cloud 26A Release
Oracle Redwood UI Transition
The Oracle Redwood 26A release for Oracle HCM Cloud represents a transformative upgrade packed with features that redefine user experience, streamline workflows, and provide unprecedented AI-powered capabilities. Whether you’re an HR leader, IT administrator, or business executive, the 26A release offers the opportunity to modernize your operations and elevate the employee experience to new heights.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the standout features of the 26A release, explain why they matter for your organization, and show how Monad Solutions can help you unlock their full potential while navigating the complexities of implementation.
Updated January 16, 2024
by Monad Solutions.
Key Highlights of the Redwood Release
1. Enhanced AI Capabilities
The 26A release introduces powerful new AI Agents across HCM modules:
- Promotion Advisor for career advancement guidance
- Position Decision Guide for organizational planning
- Employment Information Assistant
- Transaction Administration Assistant
- Position Decision Guide for organizational planning
2. Talent Management Innovations
- Dynamic Skills in performance evaluations
- Readiness-based succession organization charts
- Enhanced Celebrate platform with additional privacy options
- Job Applicant Screening Advisor for authenticity verification
- Create & translate interview schedules in Redwood
3. Learning & Development
- CMI content & AICC URL support
- Intuition & EdFlex xAPI learning connector
- GenAI-powered feedback summaries
- Learning catalog search suggestions with AI
- Google Chrome plugin for Oracle Learning
4. Workforce Management
- Representative approver for multiple assignments
- Auto-update assignment status on absence approval
- Simplified time rules with seeded unpaid break support
- WFM Activity Center with Time & Labor content
- Enhanced Schedule Assistant capabilities
5. Enhanced Customization
- Display up to four person attributes in page headers
- Customizable fields including Person Number, Job Name, Position Code
- Improved context across HCM pages
- Section-level Guided Journeys in Activity Centers
6. Workforce Compensation Updates
- Adoption deadline extended to 26D for budget allocation
- Comp Worksheet redesign (releasing early 2026)
- Landing page and budgeting pages (late 2025/early 2026)
- WFM Activity Center with Time & Labor content
- Other pages remain on 25C schedule
Critical Requirement: US Payroll Tax Engine Transition
All US Payroll customers must complete the transition to the Enhanced US Oracle Payroll Tax Engine (USOPTE) in Production by the 26A timeline (April 2026) to remain on the standard update path. Starting with 26B (May 2026), monthly tax and geography updates will be delivered ONLY via USOPTE.
26A Module Adoption Requirements
Learning Modules - Before 26A
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What We Can Help With:
Resource Management, Recommendation Management, Self-Paced Learning Management for Customer Created Content, and Self-Paced Learning Management for External Provider Content
Recruiting - Before 26B
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What We Can Help With:
Offer Management, Interview Management, Events, Campaigns, and Agency Hiring (second adoption date introduced)
Learning Modules - Before 26D
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What We Can Help With:
Assignment Management, Instructor-Led Management, Learning Path Management, Category + Topic Management, Official Community Management
Why These Features Matter
Critical Requirement: US Payroll Tax Engine Transition
The 26A release isn’t just about new features. It’s about fundamentally improving how your organization operates. The enhanced AI capabilities reduce administrative burden, the improved interfaces increase user satisfaction, and the streamlined workflows boost productivity across the board.
Here’s what these improvements mean for different stakeholders:
- For HR Teams:
- Reduced time on routine tasks through AI automation
- Better insights for talent management decisions
- Improved compliance and data accuracy
- Enhanced employee engagement tools
- For Employees:
- Intuitive self-service capabilities
- Personalized learning recommendations
- Faster access to information
- Mobile-friendly experience
- For Managers:
- AI-powered decision support
- Streamlined approval processes
- Better visibility into team performance
- Simplified scheduling and time management
- For IT Administrators:
- Enhanced personalization tools
- Improved integration capabilities
- Better security configurations
- Streamlined quarterly update process
Why Choose Us?
- Managing end-to-end migrations
- Customizing solutions to fit your unique needs
- Training and empowering your team
- Providing ongoing support to ensure sustained success
Conclusion
The Redwood 26A release is more than just an upgrade. It’s a leap forward in modernizing your HCM processes. With powerful AI capabilities, enhanced user experiences, and streamlined workflows, 26A positions your organization for success in 2026 and beyond.
But realizing this potential requires careful planning, expert execution, and ongoing support. With Monad Solutions as your partner, you can unlock the full value of Redwood 26A while minimizing risks and challenges.
Ready to Get Started with 26A?
Don’t navigate the Redwood 26A transition alone. Our team of Oracle HCM experts is ready to help you every step of the way.
