Search Results cst_quantity_layers




The CST_QUANTITY_LAYERS table in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) 12.1.1 or 12.2.2 is a critical inventory valuation table that stores detailed quantity layer information for items under perpetual inventory costing methods. It serves as a foundation for the Cost Management module, enabling organizations to maintain accurate inventory valuation by tracking item quantities and costs at a granular level.

Purpose and Functionality

This table maintains historical records of inventory transactions, creating quantity layers that represent distinct batches of inventory with unique cost attributes. Each layer corresponds to a specific receipt or transaction, allowing the system to apply costing methods like FIFO (First-In-First-Out), LIFO (Last-In-First-Out), or weighted average accurately. The table works in conjunction with CST_COST_LAYERS (which stores cost information) to provide complete inventory valuation data.

Key Columns and Structure

The table contains several important columns:
  • INVENTORY_ITEM_ID: Links to MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B
  • ORGANIZATION_ID: Identifies the inventory organization
  • LAYER_ID: Unique identifier for each quantity layer
  • TRANSACTION_ID: References MTL_MATERIAL_TRANSACTIONS
  • PRIMARY_QUANTITY: Stores the quantity in the primary UOM
  • SECONDARY_QUANTITY: Stores quantity in secondary UOM (if applicable)
  • DATE_CREATED: Timestamp when the layer was created
  • LAST_UPDATE_DATE: When the layer was last modified

Integration with Other Modules

CST_QUANTITY_LAYERS integrates with:
  • Inventory Management: Receives transaction data from MTL_MATERIAL_TRANSACTIONS
  • Purchasing: Captures receipt information for purchased items
  • Work in Process: Tracks component issues and assembly completions
  • Order Management: Records shipments and returns

Business Process Flow

When an inventory transaction occurs:
  1. The system creates or updates quantity layers in CST_QUANTITY_LAYERS
  2. Corresponding cost layers are created in CST_COST_LAYERS
  3. The inventory valuation is recalculated based on the costing method
  4. General ledger accounts are updated through Cost Management

Technical Considerations

The table is optimized for:
  • High-volume transaction processing
  • Quick retrieval of layer information for costing calculations
  • Integration with Oracle's Cost Management engine

Reporting and Analysis

This table supports various inventory valuation reports and is frequently used in:
  • Inventory valuation reports
  • Cost variance analysis
  • Gross margin reporting
  • Tax and compliance reporting

Maintenance and Performance

Oracle provides standard programs to maintain this table:
  • Purge programs to archive historical data
  • Concurrent programs to reconcile inventory quantities
  • Batch programs to recalculate inventory values

Customization Considerations

While the table structure shouldn't be modified, organizations often:
  • Create custom indexes for performance tuning
  • Develop custom reports using this table as a data source
  • Implement triggers for additional validation (with caution)
The CST_QUANTITY_LAYERS table is fundamental to Oracle's inventory costing functionality, providing the detailed quantity tracking needed for accurate inventory valuation in manufacturing and distribution environments.