If you’ve ever worked in HR, IT, or corporate systems, you’ve probably heard about PeopleSoft—a powerful suite of enterprise applications. But what powers PeopleSoft under the hood? That’s where PeopleTools ATT comes in. Whether you’re an IT professional, a PeopleSoft admin, or just curious about enterprise systems, this guide will break it all down in plain, simple English.
What is PeopleTools ATT?
Let’s start from the top.
PeopleTools ATT stands for PeopleTools Application Technology Tools—a core set of tools used to develop, configure, and manage PeopleSoft applications. It’s like the engine room of a massive ship. While the users see a smooth interface and a list of business functions, PeopleTools ATT ensures everything runs behind the scenes.
Think of it like this:
Imagine your company is a huge restaurant. The customers (employees and managers) come in and place orders (tasks like payroll, time-off requests, or benefits). The waiter (PeopleSoft UI) takes the order, but it’s the kitchen (aka PeopleTools ATT) that prepares the dish, manages the ingredients (data), and makes sure everything is served correctly.
Without PeopleTools ATT, the restaurant just wouldn’t function.
Why is PeopleTools ATT Important?
Before we dive deeper, let’s understand why this matters. Large organizations often rely on PeopleSoft for a wide range of activities:
- Payroll and Compensation
- Human Capital Management
- Finance and Accounting
- Customer Relationship Management
- Supply Chain Operations
To keep all of this running, they need a reliable toolset to build, manage, and customize these applications. That’s where PeopleTools ATT comes into play.
What’s Included in PeopleTools ATT?
You might be wondering, “What do these tools actually do?” Good question.
Here’s a breakdown of the core components of PeopleTools ATT:
1. Application Designer
This is where developers spend most of their time. It allows them to:
- Create and modify PeopleSoft objects (like pages, records, menus, and components).
- Customize apps to meet business needs.
- Use PeopleCode, a proprietary scripting language, to automate behavior.
2. PeopleCode
This is the programming language that runs within the PeopleSoft environment. Think of it as the “logic” that powers each action, like calculations or validations.
3. Process Scheduler
This tool helps schedule and run reports, processes, and batch jobs—automatically. It’s like setting a timer for your coffee machine.
4. Integration Broker
Need to connect PeopleSoft to another system (like SAP or Salesforce)? Integration Broker makes it happen through APIs and messaging.
5. PeopleSoft Query
Ever used a reporting tool like Excel Pivot Tables? This is PeopleSoft’s version—letting you run custom reports and pull out data in a user-friendly format.
6. Security Tools
From role-based access to row-level security, PeopleTools ATT includes options to define who can see what—and what they can do with it.
7. Data Mover
Used mostly by admins, Data Mover helps transfer data from one environment to another (like Dev to Test, or Test to Production).
A Day in the Life: Real-Life Anecdote
Let me tell you a quick story.
Jane is an HR systems analyst at a large telecom company. Her team uses PeopleSoft for all things HR—from hiring to offboarding.
One day, the payroll department noticed that overtime calculations were off. After hours of spreadsheet detective work, they reached out to Jane. She opened PeopleTools ATT, went into Application Designer, and checked the logic written in PeopleCode.
Boom. There was a small logic error affecting night shift hours.
With a few quick changes and a test in the dev environment, she deployed a fix—all within a couple of hours.
Without PeopleTools ATT, solving that issue might have taken days.
Step-by-Step: How to Use PeopleTools ATT (For Beginners)
If you’re just getting started, here’s a simple roadmap to begin exploring PeopleTools ATT.
Step 1: Get Access
First things first—make sure you have access to the PeopleSoft system and the necessary roles. Typically, your IT admin will set this up.
Step 2: Launch Application Designer
- Log into your PeopleSoft environment.
- Navigate to the PeopleTools menu.
- Open Application Designer.
This is where you’ll do most of your development work.
Step 3: Create a New Object
Let’s say you want to create a new page for tracking employee certifications.
- In Application Designer, click File > New.
- Select Record, then define fields like
Employee_ID,Certification_Name,Expiration_Date. - Save your record and assign a name (e.g.,
EMP_CERT_TBL).
Step 4: Build the Page
- Go to File > New > Page.
- Drag and drop the fields from your record.
- Set properties like required fields, drop-downs, and labels.
Step 5: Bundle into a Component
- Create a new Component to group related pages.
- Assign security permissions using Permission Lists.
- Add it to a Menu so users can navigate to it.
Step 6: Test in a Sandbox
Always test in a development or test environment before moving changes to production. Use the Process Scheduler and Data Mover to manage changes.
Common Tasks You Can Do with PeopleTools ATT
Now that you know the basics, here are some things you can accomplish using PeopleTools ATT:
| Task | Tool Used | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Customize a data entry form | Application Designer | Add or remove fields based on your business needs. |
| Automate an approval workflow | PeopleCode + Workflow | Set up triggers and conditions for manager approvals. |
| Schedule a monthly report | Process Scheduler | Run and email payroll reports automatically. |
| Restrict access to sensitive data | Security Tools | Ensure only authorized users can view payroll details. |
| Connect to an external app | Integration Broker | Set up a real-time connection with third-party platforms. |
How PeopleTools ATT Helps with Integration
In today’s connected world, no application lives in isolation.
Luckily, PeopleTools ATT includes Integration Broker, which helps exchange data with:
- External APIs
- Web services
- Flat files (CSV, XML, etc.)
- Other ERP systems
A real-world example? Say your company uses Workday for recruiting and PeopleSoft for HR. You can configure Integration Broker to automatically import new hire data from Workday into PeopleSoft—no manual entry needed.
Best Practices When Working with PeopleTools ATT
Here are a few golden rules:
1. Always Back Up
Before making changes, use Data Mover to export current data and objects.
2. Use Version Control
Keep track of changes, especially if multiple developers are working on the same project.
3. Follow Naming Conventions
Use clear and consistent naming for objects. For example: XX_DEPT_PAGE, where XX represents your department or project.
4. Limit Customization
Try to use delivered functionality where possible. Customizations can make upgrades harder.
5. Test Thoroughly
Always test in Dev, move to Test, and only then to Production.
What Users Are Saying
Here’s a quote from Michael, a PeopleSoft Admin from a healthcare company:
“We rely heavily on PeopleTools ATT for everything—from small tweaks to full-scale module development. Once you get the hang of it, it’s like having a backstage pass to your entire HR system.”
Pro Tip: Certification and Learning
If you’re serious about learning PeopleTools ATT, consider:
- Oracle University courses
- LinkedIn Learning tutorials
- YouTube walkthroughs
- Joining PeopleSoft Communities and forums
There’s a huge ecosystem of developers and admins sharing insights and tips. You’re never alone.
The Future of PeopleTools ATT
With Oracle’s ongoing investment in PeopleSoft, especially in PeopleTools 8.60+, we’re seeing:
- More cloud compatibility
- Better user interfaces (Fluid UI)
- Enhanced automation and analytics
That means PeopleTools ATT is only becoming more relevant. It’s a great time to learn and master it.
Final Thoughts
To sum it all up:
- PeopleTools ATT is the engine that powers PeopleSoft applications.
- It offers developers, admins, and business analysts the ability to customize, automate, secure, and integrate business systems.
- With a little practice and guidance, anyone can learn to use it effectively.
So, whether you’re a seasoned IT pro or someone just stepping into the world of enterprise systems, diving into PeopleTools ATT could be a game changer for your career.
