Oracle WebCenter Content Server includes components that provide a hierarchical folder interface, similar to a conventional file system, for organizing and managing some or all of the content in the repository. We used Contribution Folders (folders_g) which is being replaced by the new Folders (FrameworkFolders) component. The newer FrameworkFolders component fixes a number of limitations that folders_g had and adds a ton of new features. If you have played with the WebCenter Content mobile app, you will notice that it uses FrameworkFolders too.

WebCenter Portal requires the use of the folders_g component. Given the fact that folders_g and FrameworkFolders component do not go well together and must never be enabled together on any system, you could never use the new features if you planned to use integrate Content with Portal. I still remember presenting a demo with a colleague for a client and he was showing off the mobile capabilities in Portal (which are pretty impressive by the way) and was getting all the glory; while I was sitting back wanting to show off the Content app but could not (no FrameworkFolders).

Not any more; Oracle has released bundle patches for both WebCenter Content and Portal in April 2014 which bring home the support for FrameworkFolders. These patches will bring these products to version 11.1.1.8.3.

You can enable support for FrameworkFolders on new Content and Portal installations where the folders_g component has never been enabled using the following patches:

• Download and apply the WebCenter Content MLR03 patch 18088049.
• Download and apply the WebCenter Portal BP3 patch 18085041.
• Download and apply the WebCenterConfigure component patch 18387955. Before applying this patch on the Content Server ensure that WebCenter Content MLR03 patch 18088049 has already been applied.

You can find detailed instructions on how to enable FrameworkFolders support in the Oracle® Fusion Middleware Installation Guide for Oracle WebCenter Portal 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.8.3).

There may be another bundle patches release (version 11.1.1.8.4) for many FMW products (including WebCenter Portal) in July 2014 which could further enhance the FrameworkFolders support.