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The VEH_MTL_CUSTOMER_ITEMS table in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) 12.1.1 or 12.2.2 is a custom table typically implemented in automotive, manufacturing, or asset-intensive industries to manage customer-specific item master data. This table extends Oracle Inventory's standard functionality by associating customer-specific attributes with items, enabling organizations to maintain unique identifiers, descriptions, or specifications per customer while leveraging a centralized item master. Below is a detailed technical and functional analysis of this table in the context of Oracle EBS.

1. Purpose and Functional Context

The VEH_MTL_CUSTOMER_ITEMS table serves as a bridge between standard Oracle Inventory items (MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B) and customer-specific data. It is commonly used in scenarios where:
  • Customer-Specific Item Identification: Customers may refer to the same item using different part numbers or descriptions.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Certain industries require traceability of customer-specific item attributes (e.g., automotive OEMs).
  • Cross-Reference Needs: Facilitates mapping between internal item codes and customer-specific codes for sales, procurement, or logistics.

2. Key Columns and Relationships

While the exact schema may vary based on customization, the table typically includes these critical columns:
  • CUSTOMER_ITEM_ID: Primary key, often a sequence-generated identifier.
  • INVENTORY_ITEM_ID: Foreign key to MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B.INVENTORY_ITEM_ID, linking to the standard item master.
  • ORGANIZATION_ID: Foreign key to MTL_PARAMETERS.ORGANIZATION_ID, defining the inventory organization.
  • CUSTOMER_ID: Foreign key to HZ_CUST_ACCOUNTS.CUST_ACCOUNT_ID, identifying the customer.
  • CUSTOMER_ITEM_CODE: Customer’s unique identifier for the item (e.g., OEM part number).
  • CUSTOMER_ITEM_DESCRIPTION: Alternate description per customer requirements.
  • ATTRIBUTE_CATEGORY/ATTRIBUTE1-15: Flexfields for customer-specific extended attributes.
  • CREATION_DATE, CREATED_BY, LAST_UPDATE_DATE, LAST_UPDATED_BY: Standard Oracle audit columns.

3. Integration with Oracle EBS Modules

The table integrates with core EBS modules:
  • Inventory (INV): Enhances item searches and reporting by customer-specific criteria.
  • Order Management (OM): Allows sales orders to reference customer item codes via OE_ORDER_LINES_ALL extensions.
  • Purchasing (PO): Supports customer-driven procurement by mapping supplier items to customer items.
  • Advanced Pricing: Enables pricing rules based on customer-item combinations.

4. Technical Implementation Considerations

  • Indexing: Composite indexes on (INVENTORY_ITEM_ID, ORGANIZATION_ID, CUSTOMER_ID) are recommended for performance.
  • APEX or Custom Forms: Often paired with a custom UI for data entry, leveraging Oracle Forms or Oracle APEX.
  • APIs: Custom PL/SQL APIs may be built to synchronize data with standard item master tables.
  • Data Security: Row-level security (RLS) via VPD (Virtual Private Database) policies may be applied to restrict access by customer or organization.

5. Use Case Example

An automotive supplier uses VEH_MTL_CUSTOMER_ITEMS to manage:
  • Internal item #BOLT-001 is mapped to FORD-BLT-2023 for Ford and GM-BOLT-AXLE for General Motors.
  • Customer-specific lead times and packaging requirements stored in flexfields.
  • Reports generated for each customer showing their item codes alongside internal equivalents.

6. Limitations and Alternatives

  • Standard Alternatives: Oracle’s MTL_CROSS_REFERENCES can handle some cross-referencing but lacks customer-specific flexfields.
  • Customization Overhead: Requires maintenance during upgrades; Oracle recommends using descriptive flexfields (DFFs) where possible.
In summary, VEH_MTL_CUSTOMER_ITEMS is a strategic custom solution in Oracle EBS for industries requiring granular customer-item mappings, complementing standard functionality while addressing niche business needs.