Search Results sourcing




The MSC_ITEM_SOURCING table in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) 12.1.1 and 12.2.2 is a critical repository for item sourcing rules within the Advanced Supply Chain Planning (ASCP) module. It stores detailed information about how items are sourced across the supply chain, enabling organizations to define and enforce sourcing strategies at various levels, including by item, organization, and supplier. This table plays a pivotal role in supply chain optimization, ensuring that procurement, manufacturing, and distribution decisions align with business objectives.

Key Attributes of MSC_ITEM_SOURCING

The table contains several important columns that define sourcing relationships and constraints:
  • SOURCING_RULE_ID: Primary key identifier for the sourcing rule.
  • ORGANIZATION_ID: Identifies the inventory organization to which the sourcing rule applies.
  • INVENTORY_ITEM_ID: References the item being sourced (from MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B).
  • SOURCE_ORGANIZATION_ID: Specifies the source organization for transfers.
  • VENDOR_ID: Identifies the supplier for purchased items.
  • SOURCE_TYPE: Indicates the sourcing method (1=Make, 2=Buy, 3=Transfer).
  • ALLOCATION_PERCENT: Defines the percentage allocation when multiple sources exist.
  • EFFECTIVE_DATE and DISABLE_DATE: Establish the active period for the sourcing rule.
  • PRIORITY: Determines the order of evaluation when multiple rules exist.

Functional Significance

The MSC_ITEM_SOURCING table enables several critical supply chain planning functions:
  1. Sourcing Strategy Implementation: Allows definition of primary and alternate sources for items, supporting complex multi-sourcing scenarios.
  2. Supply Network Optimization: ASCP uses these rules to determine the most cost-effective sources while considering lead times and capacities.
  3. Constraint-Based Planning: The rules integrate with other ASCP constraints to generate feasible plans.
  4. Global Sourcing Management: Supports multi-organization and multi-country sourcing strategies.

Integration Points

The table interacts with several other Oracle EBS components:
  • Inventory Management: Links to MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B for item definitions.
  • Purchasing: References PO_VENDORS for supplier information.
  • Order Management: Influences fulfillment decisions based on sourcing priorities.
  • Manufacturing: Determines make-vs-buy decisions for manufactured items.

Technical Considerations

Implementation and maintenance of sourcing rules require careful attention to:
  • Data Volume: The table can grow significantly in complex supply chains with many items and sources.
  • Performance: Sourcing rule evaluation impacts ASCP plan run times.
  • Data Integrity: Requires proper validation against item master and supplier data.
  • Change Management: Effective date ranges must be carefully managed to avoid planning disruptions.

Best Practices

To maximize the effectiveness of MSC_ITEM_SOURCING:
  1. Regularly review and update sourcing rules to reflect current supply chain realities.
  2. Implement a hierarchical sourcing strategy with clear priorities.
  3. Use allocation percentages judiciously to balance supply sources.
  4. Monitor the impact of sourcing rules on plan performance and service levels.
  5. Consider using the Sourcing Rules Manager UI rather than direct table updates.
The MSC_ITEM_SOURCING table is fundamental to Oracle ASCP's ability to create optimized supply chain plans that respect organizational sourcing strategies while meeting demand requirements efficiently.