Search Results mtl_related_items_cust_ref




The MTL_RELATED_ITEMS_CUST_REF table in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) 12.1.1 and 12.2.2 is a critical repository for storing customer-specific cross-references between related inventory items. This table plays a pivotal role in managing item relationships, particularly in scenarios where customers maintain their own item numbering schemes while interacting with an organization's product catalog. Below is a detailed breakdown of its structure, functionality, and significance within Oracle EBS.

Purpose and Context

The MTL_RELATED_ITEMS_CUST_REF table is part of Oracle Inventory's item relationship framework. It enables organizations to map customer-specific item identifiers to internal item codes, facilitating seamless transactions in procurement, order management, and logistics. This is especially valuable in B2B environments where trading partners use disparate item numbering conventions. By maintaining these mappings, organizations can streamline processes like sales orders, shipments, and invoicing without requiring manual reconciliation of item codes.

Key Columns and Structure

The table's schema includes columns that define the relationship between internal items and customer-specific references:
  • RELATED_ITEM_ID: Primary key linking to MTL_RELATED_ITEMS, establishing the base relationship.
  • CUSTOMER_ID: References HZ_CUST_ACCOUNTS, identifying the customer associated with the cross-reference.
  • CUSTOMER_ITEM_NUMBER: The customer's proprietary identifier for the item.
  • DESCRIPTION: Optional field for customer-provided item descriptions.
  • ATTRIBUTE_CATEGORY/ATTRIBUTE1-15: Flexfields for custom attributes.
  • CREATION_DATE, CREATED_BY, LAST_UPDATE_DATE, LAST_UPDATED_BY: Standard Oracle audit columns.

Integration with Oracle EBS Modules

This table integrates with multiple EBS modules:
  1. Order Management (OM): Automatically translates customer item numbers to internal codes during order entry.
  2. Procurement: Supports customer-specific item identification in purchase orders and agreements.
  3. Inventory: Enables reporting and tracking of items using customer references.
  4. Advanced Pricing: Facilitates customer-specific pricing based on alternate item identifiers.

Functional Workflow

A typical implementation involves:
  1. Defining item relationships in MTL_RELATED_ITEMS.
  2. Creating customer-specific mappings in MTL_RELATED_ITEMS_CUST_REF via Oracle Forms or APIs.
  3. Leveraging these mappings in transactional documents through automated substitution logic.

Technical Considerations

  • APIs: Oracle provides PL/SQL APIs in the INV_ITEM_CUSTOMER_REF_PKG package for programmatic maintenance.
  • Indexing: Critical indexes on RELATED_ITEM_ID and CUSTOMER_ID ensure performance.
  • Data Security: Access should be restricted due to sensitive customer-specific data.

Implementation Best Practices

  • Implement data validation to prevent duplicate customer-item mappings.
  • Leverage Oracle's Item Relationship open interface for bulk data loads.
  • Regularly purge obsolete mappings to maintain system performance.

Conclusion

The MTL_RELATED_ITEMS_CUST_REF table is an essential component for organizations operating in multi-enterprise supply chains. By bridging the gap between internal and customer item numbering systems, it enhances operational efficiency while maintaining data integrity across Oracle EBS modules. Proper implementation and maintenance of this table can significantly reduce errors in customer transactions and improve partner collaboration.