Search Results inv.mtl_system_items_b




The INV.MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B table is a fundamental entity in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) 12.1.1 and 12.2.2, serving as the core repository for item master data within the Inventory (INV) module. This table stores the definition and attributes of items that are used across multiple Oracle applications, including Inventory, Purchasing, Order Management, Manufacturing, and Cost Management. As part of the Oracle Inventory module's data model, it plays a pivotal role in item-centric transactions and reporting.

Structure and Key Columns

The MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B table is a base table that contains critical columns defining item characteristics. Key columns include:
  • INVENTORY_ITEM_ID: Primary key identifier for the item, unique within an organization.
  • ORGANIZATION_ID: Identifies the inventory organization to which the item belongs.
  • SEGMENT1-SEGMENT20: Flexfield segments for item numbering (e.g., Item Code).
  • DESCRIPTION: Textual description of the item.
  • PRIMARY_UOM_CODE: Default unit of measure for the item.
  • ITEM_TYPE: Classifies the item (e.g., 'Inventory', 'Purchased', 'Manufactured').
  • PLANNER_CODE: Links to the planner responsible for the item.
  • TRACKING_QUANTITY_IND: Controls lot/serial tracking requirements.
  • ENABLE_SERIAL_FLAG: Indicates if serial number tracking is enabled.
  • ENABLE_LOT_FLAG: Indicates if lot control is enabled.

Functional Significance

This table is central to Oracle EBS item master functionality:
  1. Multi-Org Support: Items are organization-specific, allowing different attributes per org.
  2. Flexible Item Attributes: Supports extensive attribute configuration through descriptive flexfields.
  3. Integration Hub: Serves as the single source of truth for item data across all Oracle modules.
  4. Lifecycle Management: Maintains status flags (ACTIVE_FLAG) for item lifecycle control.
  5. Global Items: Supports global item definitions through GLOBAL_ATTRIBUTE columns.

Technical Considerations

  • The table has a corresponding _TL (translation) table for multilingual support.
  • It relates to MTL_ITEM_REVISIONS_B for revision-controlled items.
  • Indexes exist on key columns like INVENTORY_ITEM_ID, ORGANIZATION_ID, and SEGMENT1.
  • Views like MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_KFV provide key flexfield-aware access.

Implementation Best Practices

  1. Always use the Item Master form or API for modifications to maintain data integrity.
  2. Consider performance impacts when querying - the table can grow very large.
  3. Leverage the MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_INTERFACE table for bulk item loads.
  4. Understand the impact of attribute changes across integrated modules.
  5. Regularly purge obsolete items to maintain system performance.
The MTL_SYSTEM_ITEMS_B table's comprehensive design enables Oracle EBS to support complex inventory management scenarios while maintaining integration across the application suite. Its proper configuration and maintenance are critical for successful Oracle Inventory implementations.