Search Results cst_item_costs




The CST_ITEM_COSTS table in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) versions 12.1.1 and 12.2.2 serves as a foundational repository for storing item cost data, which is critical for inventory valuation, cost accounting, and financial reporting. This table is part of the Cost Management module and integrates with other key modules such as Inventory, Bills of Material, and General Ledger. Below is a detailed analysis of its structure, functionality, and significance within Oracle EBS.

1. Purpose and Role in Cost Management

The CST_ITEM_COSTS table stores detailed cost information for items, including standard, average, and frozen costs. It acts as the primary source for cost calculations, enabling organizations to:
  • Track and analyze item costs across multiple cost types (e.g., Frozen, Pending, Average).
  • Support inventory valuation methods (FIFO, LIFO, Weighted Average).
  • Facilitate cost roll-up processes in Bills of Material (BOM) and routing structures.
  • Integrate with the General Ledger for period-end accounting and financial reporting.

2. Key Columns and Data Structure

The table's schema includes columns that define cost attributes, organizational context, and temporal validity. Notable columns include:
  • INVENTORY_ITEM_ID: Links to MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B to identify the item.
  • ORGANIZATION_ID: Associates costs with a specific inventory organization.
  • COST_TYPE_ID: References CST_COST_TYPES to classify costs (e.g., Standard, Average).
  • LAST_UPDATE_DATE and LAST_UPDATED_BY: Audit fields for change tracking.
  • ITEM_COST: Stores the calculated cost value per unit.
  • MATERIAL_COST, RESOURCE_COST, OVERHEAD_COST: Breakdown of cost components.
  • EFFECTIVE_DATE: Indicates when the cost becomes active.

3. Integration with Other Modules

CST_ITEM_COSTS interacts with several Oracle EBS tables and processes:
  • Inventory Management: Costs are used in transactions (receipts, issues, transfers) via MTL_MATERIAL_TRANSACTIONS.
  • Bills of Material: Cost roll-ups reference this table to calculate assembly costs (BOM_COST_API).
  • General Ledger: Period-end cost accounting entries are derived from this data.
  • Cost Updates: The CSTPACUP concurrent program updates costs based on changes in this table.

4. Functional Workflows

Key workflows involving CST_ITEM_COSTS include:
  • Cost Roll-Up: Computes assembly costs by aggregating component costs from BOMs.
  • Cost Update: Updates pending or frozen costs via the Cost Manager.
  • Inventory Valuation: Generates financial reports using cost data from this table.
  • Transfer Pricing: Supports inter-organization transfers with accurate cost calculations.

5. Technical Considerations

  • Indexing: Columns like INVENTORY_ITEM_ID, ORGANIZATION_ID, and COST_TYPE_ID are indexed for performance.
  • Partitioning: In large implementations, partitioning by ORGANIZATION_ID may improve query performance.
  • Concurrency: Cost updates are serialized to maintain data integrity during roll-ups.

6. Conclusion

The CST_ITEM_COSTS table is a cornerstone of Oracle EBS Cost Management, enabling accurate cost tracking, inventory valuation, and financial integration. Its design supports complex manufacturing and distribution scenarios, ensuring data consistency across modules. Understanding its structure and workflows is essential for consultants and implementers configuring cost accounting processes in Oracle EBS 12.1.1 or 12.2.2.