Search Results a




The PON.PON_FORM_FIELD_VALUES table in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) versions 12.1.1 and 12.2.2 is a critical repository for storing field-level values associated with procurement documents, particularly within the iProcurement and Sourcing modules. This table plays a pivotal role in capturing and managing dynamic form data, enabling flexible configurations for procurement workflows. Below is a detailed breakdown of its structure, functionality, and significance in Oracle EBS.

Table Overview

The PON_FORM_FIELD_VALUES table is part of the PON (Purchasing Online) schema, which underpins Oracle's procurement applications. It stores user-defined or system-generated field values linked to procurement documents such as requisitions, purchase orders, auctions, and negotiations. The table is designed to accommodate extensible attributes, allowing organizations to customize forms without modifying core application tables.

Key Columns and Structure

The table consists of several key columns, including:
  • FORM_FIELD_ID: A unique identifier for the form field entry, often referencing PON_FORM_FIELDS.
  • DOCUMENT_TYPE: Specifies the procurement document type (e.g., 'REQUISITION', 'PO', 'AUCTION').
  • DOCUMENT_ID: The primary key of the associated document (e.g., requisition header ID or auction header ID).
  • FIELD_VALUE: Stores the actual value entered or derived for the field.
  • CREATION_DATE and LAST_UPDATE_DATE: Audit columns tracking record creation and modification timestamps.
  • CREATED_BY and LAST_UPDATED_BY: Audit columns capturing the user IDs responsible for changes.

Functional Role

This table supports dynamic form rendering by:
  • Custom Attributes: Enables storage of additional fields added via Oracle's Descriptive Flexfields (DFFs) or customizations.
  • Document-Specific Data: Captures values unique to procurement documents, such as bid details in auctions or approval comments in requisitions.
  • Integration: Facilitates data exchange with other modules (e.g., Inventory, Payables) by preserving field-level metadata.

Usage Scenarios

  1. iProcurement Requisitions: Stores user-entered values for custom requisition fields, such as project codes or delivery instructions.
  2. Sourcing Auctions: Tracks bidder-specific attributes (e.g., supplier qualifications) during negotiations.
  3. Approval Workflows: Holds approval-related data (e.g., approver notes) for routed documents.

Technical Considerations

  • Indexing: Typically indexed on DOCUMENT_TYPE and DOCUMENT_ID for performance optimization.
  • Partitioning: In high-volume environments, partitioning by DOCUMENT_TYPE may be implemented.
  • Data Volume: Can grow significantly in organizations with complex procurement processes, necessitating archival strategies.

Integration Points

The table interacts with:
  • PON_FORM_FIELDS: Defines field metadata (e.g., labels, data types).
  • PO_HEADERS_ALL/REQ_HEADERS_ALL: Links to procurement document headers.
  • FND_DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXS: For DFF-related field definitions.

Customization Impact

Modifications to this table (e.g., adding columns) require careful analysis due to:
  • Upgrade Compatibility: Customizations may complicate future EBS upgrades.
  • Performance: Additional joins or indexes may affect query performance.

Conclusion

The PON.PON_FORM_FIELD_VALUES table is a foundational component in Oracle EBS procurement, enabling flexible data capture and storage. Its design supports extensibility while maintaining integration with core procurement processes. Administrators and developers should leverage its structure for customizations judiciously, ensuring alignment with Oracle's best practices for scalability and maintainability.