Search Results mtl_safety_stocks




The MTL_SAFETY_STOCKS table in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) 12.1.1 or 12.2.2 is a critical inventory management table that stores safety stock levels for items across different organizations, subinventories, and locators. Safety stock represents the minimum quantity of an item that must be maintained to mitigate stockouts caused by demand variability or supply chain disruptions. This table is primarily used by Oracle Inventory and Oracle Advanced Supply Chain Planning (ASCP) modules to ensure optimal inventory replenishment and planning.

Table Structure and Key Columns

The MTL_SAFETY_STOCKS table contains the following key columns:
  • ORGANIZATION_ID: Identifies the inventory organization where the safety stock is maintained.
  • INVENTORY_ITEM_ID: References the item in MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B for which safety stock is defined.
  • SUBINVENTORY_CODE: Specifies the subinventory where the safety stock applies (nullable if defined at the organization level).
  • LOCATOR_ID: Indicates the specific locator within a subinventory (nullable if not locator-controlled).
  • SAFETY_STOCK_QUANTITY: The minimum quantity to be maintained as safety stock.
  • LAST_UPDATE_DATE, LAST_UPDATED_BY, CREATION_DATE, CREATED_BY: Standard Oracle audit columns.
  • PLANNING_MAKE_BUY_CODE: Indicates whether the item is planned as 'Make' or 'Buy'.

Functional Usage

Safety stock data in MTL_SAFETY_STOCKS is leveraged in multiple EBS processes:
  1. Replenishment Planning: Oracle Inventory uses safety stock levels to trigger replenishment suggestions when on-hand quantities fall below the threshold.
  2. Min-Max Planning: Safety stock values serve as the minimum threshold in min-max planning setups.
  3. ASCP Planning: Oracle ASCP considers safety stock when generating supply chain plans to prevent shortages.
  4. Inventory Analytics: Safety stock data is used in inventory performance reporting and ABC analysis.

Integration Points

The table integrates with several other key EBS tables:
  • MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B for item master data
  • MTL_SECONDARY_INVENTORIES for subinventory details
  • MTL_ITEM_LOCATIONS for locator information
  • MRP_FORECAST_DATES in planning modules

Implementation Considerations

When implementing safety stock in Oracle EBS:
  1. Safety stock can be defined at multiple levels: organization, subinventory, or locator.
  2. The table supports both manual entry and automated calculation through planning engines.
  3. Changes to safety stock values may trigger immediate replenishment requirements.
  4. Historical safety stock data should be maintained for trend analysis.

Technical Considerations

Key technical aspects include:
  • The table is indexed on ORGANIZATION_ID, INVENTORY_ITEM_ID, and SUBINVENTORY_CODE for performance.
  • Concurrent programs like "Safety Stock Loader" can mass update records.
  • APIs exist for programmatic maintenance of safety stock levels.
  • The table is subject to Oracle's standard data security and VPD policies.
In summary, MTL_SAFETY_STOCKS plays a vital role in Oracle EBS inventory optimization by maintaining critical threshold data that drives replenishment and planning processes. Proper configuration and maintenance of this table are essential for effective inventory management and supply chain continuity.