Search Results mtl_secondary_locators




The MTL_SECONDARY_LOCATORS table in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) 12.1.1 and 12.2.2 is a critical inventory management table that stores secondary locator assignments for items within subinventories. Secondary locators provide flexibility in inventory management by allowing items to be stored in multiple locations within a subinventory while maintaining a primary locator as the default storage location. This table is part of the Oracle Inventory module and plays a key role in warehouse organization, stock movement, and material tracking.

Purpose and Functionality

The primary purpose of MTL_SECONDARY_LOCATORS is to define alternative storage locations for items beyond their primary locator. This enables businesses to efficiently manage inventory in complex warehouse environments where items may need to be stored in multiple bins or racks. The table links items to their secondary locators within a subinventory, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting.

Key Columns and Relationships

The table contains several important columns:
  • INVENTORY_ITEM_ID: References the item in MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B.
  • ORGANIZATION_ID: Links to the organization in HR_ORGANIZATION_UNITS.
  • SUBINVENTORY_CODE: Associates with the subinventory in MTL_SECONDARY_INVENTORIES.
  • LOCATOR_ID: Points to the secondary locator in MTL_ITEM_LOCATIONS.
  • PICK_UOM_CODE: Defines the unit of measure for picking operations.
  • STATUS_ID: Indicates the status of the locator assignment.

Integration with Other Modules

MTL_SECONDARY_LOCATORS integrates with several Oracle EBS modules:
  • Inventory: Used for stock transfers, cycle counting, and replenishment.
  • Order Management: Supports picking operations from secondary locations.
  • Warehouse Management: Provides location flexibility for putaway and picking rules.
  • Cost Management: Helps track inventory valuation by location.

Business Process Impact

The table supports critical inventory processes:
  • Putaway: Allows items to be stored in multiple locations within a subinventory.
  • Picking: Enables picking from secondary locations when primary is unavailable.
  • Replenishment: Supports min-max replenishment across multiple locations.
  • Cycle Counting: Facilitates counting items in all assigned locations.

Technical Considerations

Implementation considerations include:
  • Indexing on frequently queried columns (INVENTORY_ITEM_ID, ORGANIZATION_ID, SUBINVENTORY_CODE)
  • Referential integrity with MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B and MTL_ITEM_LOCATIONS
  • Performance impact on inventory transactions when many secondary locators exist

Customization and Extensions

Common extensions include:
  • Custom reports showing item distribution across primary and secondary locators
  • Workflow rules for automatic secondary locator assignment
  • Integration with mobile warehouse applications

Version-Specific Notes

While the table structure remains largely consistent between 12.1.1 and 12.2.2, 12.2.2 may include:
  • Enhanced integration with Warehouse Management System (WMS)
  • Improved performance for high-volume secondary locator operations
  • Additional columns for advanced warehouse features
The MTL_SECONDARY_LOCATORS table is essential for organizations requiring flexible inventory storage options while maintaining precise inventory control and visibility across multiple storage locations within their warehouses.