Major implementation projects usually includes complex organizational structures like having different hr groups or different ledgers etc.
Oracle. And different scenarios may occur like; a person accesses data in a different company or doing work of a different company. To manage these kind of complex structures Oracle offers a hierarchical structure and Multi Org Access Control setups:
Business groups
Primary ledgers
Legal entities
Operating units
Inventory organizations
Detailed information about multi org structure in Oracle below documents can be examined:
Multi Org Access Control (MOAC) in Oracle Purchasing [ID 397362.1]
Oracle® E-Business Suite Multiple Organizations Implementation Guide Part No. E13423-03
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Oracle Enterprise Manager
Lastly i have seen the usage of Enterprise Manager for EBS performance management, it provides a GUI for maintaining database activities.
Then i made a little research and saw the below information in Oracle's internet site.
"It' s usage is not limited to applications management the list is below;
Application management,
Middleware management,
Database management,
Hardware management,
Heterogeneous management,
Application performance management,
Lifecycle management,
Configuration and change management,
Application management
The benefits listed in the site is below also;
*149% ROI for IT Management Investments—Manage the entire Oracle stack using a single console, eliminating unnecessary tools.
*Faster transactions, better user experience—Improve business performance with a unique solution encompassing real user experience management, business transaction management, and business service management. Learn more about Business-Driven Application Management.
*Prevent 80% of customer problems—Be more proactive than even before. Manage your IT, interact with Oracle on support-related issues, exchange ideas and learn from your peers at other companies, and implement recommendations and fixes – all within a single console. Learn about integrated systems management and support."
Then i made a little research and saw the below information in Oracle's internet site.
"It' s usage is not limited to applications management the list is below;
Application management,
Middleware management,
Database management,
Hardware management,
Heterogeneous management,
Application performance management,
Lifecycle management,
Configuration and change management,
Application management
The benefits listed in the site is below also;
*149% ROI for IT Management Investments—Manage the entire Oracle stack using a single console, eliminating unnecessary tools.
*Faster transactions, better user experience—Improve business performance with a unique solution encompassing real user experience management, business transaction management, and business service management. Learn more about Business-Driven Application Management.
*Prevent 80% of customer problems—Be more proactive than even before. Manage your IT, interact with Oracle on support-related issues, exchange ideas and learn from your peers at other companies, and implement recommendations and fixes – all within a single console. Learn about integrated systems management and support."
Warning eMails
To control critical issues and secure the environment emails are used very often. To send an email via Oracle there are various methods; workflow, trigger or alert. Alerts play an important role because they can be easily defined by technical or functional consultants though it has the disadvantage limited ability. For example alert mails have a plain format and does not offer options. On the other hand it provides some flexibility such as; periodic or event alert, alert action levels. Periodic alerts check the query and takes the required action though event alerts take action at the moment of event (Work like a trigger). Alert action levels are listed below for an example and defines the resulting actions of alert;
Ex1: (From 11i eBusiness Suite Instructer Guide)
"Inform the account manager of invoices on hold" alert
• Detail Action: Send a separate e-mail message for each invoice that meets the search
criteria of invoices on hold.
• Summary Action: Send a single e-mail message listing all invoices that meet the search
criteria, or send one summary for each vendor.
• No Exception Action: Send an e-mail message stating that nothing in the database is on
hold.
summary example:
Invoice Number Hold Type Hold Reason
=**= Enter summary template below this line =**=
**&Invoice_Number &Hold_Type &Hold_Reason
=**= Enter summary template above this line =**=
Ex2: "Indexes near maximum extents" alert can be checked for a relevant example; it sends a list of indexes near maximum extents as summary or sends an email stating that there is no index near the maximum extent.
Ex1: (From 11i eBusiness Suite Instructer Guide)
"Inform the account manager of invoices on hold" alert
• Detail Action: Send a separate e-mail message for each invoice that meets the search
criteria of invoices on hold.
• Summary Action: Send a single e-mail message listing all invoices that meet the search
criteria, or send one summary for each vendor.
• No Exception Action: Send an e-mail message stating that nothing in the database is on
hold.
summary example:
Invoice Number Hold Type Hold Reason
=**= Enter summary template below this line =**=
**&Invoice_Number &Hold_Type &Hold_Reason
=**= Enter summary template above this line =**=
Ex2: "Indexes near maximum extents" alert can be checked for a relevant example; it sends a list of indexes near maximum extents as summary or sends an email stating that there is no index near the maximum extent.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Descriptive Flex Field Multi Context
DFF s are simply used for storing additional info which does not have standard location in Oracle. Context structure is frequently used for storing different data depending on another variable. For any DFF a need for conditional use may appear; for example for different organizations different attributes can exist. In this case setting attribute context (a column in the table) as organization id and for organization1 using "attribute2" as "x", "attribute3" as "y" for "organization2" using "attribute2" as "z" is possible.
And think that one of these organizations prefers asking two additional questions for a purchasing category and three different questions for another purchasing category. In this case questions should change depending on two different variables. Multi context structure provides the differentiation of these information depending on more than one variable. It' s usage is mostly needed if the EBS environment has a multiorg structure. Because companies usually keep different information depending on different variables even though they are under the same rack. To use this structure in Forms a global attribute should be defined via personalization and DFF context should reference to this global attribute. For OAF it may use a Table typed Value Set which has a dynamic query.
And think that one of these organizations prefers asking two additional questions for a purchasing category and three different questions for another purchasing category. In this case questions should change depending on two different variables. Multi context structure provides the differentiation of these information depending on more than one variable. It' s usage is mostly needed if the EBS environment has a multiorg structure. Because companies usually keep different information depending on different variables even though they are under the same rack. To use this structure in Forms a global attribute should be defined via personalization and DFF context should reference to this global attribute. For OAF it may use a Table typed Value Set which has a dynamic query.
Reaching application attachments, concurrent outputs via database
For different kind of processes, in various screens users attach files to the Oracle EBS (Purchasing orders screen etc). And Oracle EBS keeps these attachments as binary files in database, because keeping them in their original format requires keeping them in file server and this means these files should exist in every file server and causes massive file storage (Probably there are much more reasons and debates about the subject).
These attachments and concurrent outputs are kept in "fnd_lobs" table, furthermore they are accessible via database. Attached documents can be in various formats like text, image etc. and any of these can be downloaded from the database.
This information was exciting for me though i think this feature also creates a security risk.
These attachments and concurrent outputs are kept in "fnd_lobs" table, furthermore they are accessible via database. Attached documents can be in various formats like text, image etc. and any of these can be downloaded from the database.
This information was exciting for me though i think this feature also creates a security risk.
EBS forms screen opening problem
While starting a new project consultants usually suffer from not being able to open Forms screens of eBusines Suite though they can open OAF screens. Installed Java version of server which the EBS instance operates varies most of the time and requires different configuration of Jinitiator or Java with browswers and operation system.
Special case of this problem; if Internet Explorer8 is used as browser and gets closed while entering forms screens of EBS R11 then jinitiator directory's jvm.dll file can be replaced with Java directory's jvm.dll file (This solution may work for other configurations).
I had witnessed another annoying case; I have installed java7 and R12 forms screens started to give "frm-92095 oracle jinitiator version too low. please install version 1.1.8.2 or higher" error. Seemingly forms is not supporting java7 yet so i have uninstalled it and turned back to 6, then it worked. Thinking that Oracle owns both situation seems more absurd!
Special case of this problem; if Internet Explorer8 is used as browser and gets closed while entering forms screens of EBS R11 then jinitiator directory's jvm.dll file can be replaced with Java directory's jvm.dll file (This solution may work for other configurations).
I had witnessed another annoying case; I have installed java7 and R12 forms screens started to give "frm-92095 oracle jinitiator version too low. please install version 1.1.8.2 or higher" error. Seemingly forms is not supporting java7 yet so i have uninstalled it and turned back to 6, then it worked. Thinking that Oracle owns both situation seems more absurd!
Project documentation versioning
In major projects with more than a few people, documentation gets a complicated structure. Documentation structure is all important but some lack of tracking document versions may turn all of it into a mess. To avoid this kind of chaos documentation versioning standards should be decided and shared with all project team.
Real life example from my last project; creating document versions while updating them internally before sending to customer is also important though sending the first customer version as v5. or v7.2 is not appropriate. So internal versions may be tracked as v0.1, v0.2 etc and then customer version may start with v1.0.
Real life example from my last project; creating document versions while updating them internally before sending to customer is also important though sending the first customer version as v5. or v7.2 is not appropriate. So internal versions may be tracked as v0.1, v0.2 etc and then customer version may start with v1.0.
EBS Startup Setups
It has been a while since i wrote a text here; it is mostly because of being busy and not finding the information interesting-valuable enough to write here. Still i think writing here is a useful idea for me and the readers so i will continue...
While setting up the environment for a fresh eBusiness Suite basic module setup steps should be implemented for multiorg structure etc. These setups take some days for every one of them and consultants need to implement basically with the following order HR > Finance > Logistics > Others (EAM, Asset tracking, incentive).
Though some modules can be used independently and modules required setups are described in their implementation guides.
While setting up the environment for a fresh eBusiness Suite basic module setup steps should be implemented for multiorg structure etc. These setups take some days for every one of them and consultants need to implement basically with the following order HR > Finance > Logistics > Others (EAM, Asset tracking, incentive).
Though some modules can be used independently and modules required setups are described in their implementation guides.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Spreadtable Forms
There is one more step ahead of Forms with Folder structure; Forms with Spread Table structure.
It provides much more flexibility than ever and enables functional consultants to manage forms effectively. A short list of what you can do with Spread Table structered Forms:
Changing fetch size,
Adding column from database object,
Alignments,
Changing format masks,
Query validation and permission for columns etc.
Unfortunately in R12.1.1 still it is not common for every module (usually used in CRM applications), in Inventory application only "Onhand Quantities" form use this structure. Also Oracle says that it is not supported to develop new custom forms using the spreadtable interface.
To use the functionality following path can be used: CRM Administrator> Spreadtable> Metadata Administration
It provides much more flexibility than ever and enables functional consultants to manage forms effectively. A short list of what you can do with Spread Table structered Forms:
Changing fetch size,
Adding column from database object,
Alignments,
Changing format masks,
Query validation and permission for columns etc.
Unfortunately in R12.1.1 still it is not common for every module (usually used in CRM applications), in Inventory application only "Onhand Quantities" form use this structure. Also Oracle says that it is not supported to develop new custom forms using the spreadtable interface.
To use the functionality following path can be used: CRM Administrator> Spreadtable> Metadata Administration
Friday, January 21, 2011
Cascading receipts
The Cascade function facilitates the distribution of a given quantity of an item from a single supplier across multiple shipments and distributions. If a receiving transaction will be done and if it's quantity is more than a po shiptment, more than one po shipment can be received easily with cascade function. Just tick the "Allow Cascade Transactions" in receiving options and query the receiving with item and supplier. It transacts po shipments sequentially (promised date/need by date)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Vision Applications
Vision Applications are applications which are ready to use EBS environments. They offer great opportunities for testing, learning and presenting EBS modules. All standard setups are done in a Vision Application so no extra effort is needed for these actions. It provides all and only standard functionalities of applications so they can be learned and compared to other instances to see the differences.
Another advantage is; some companies hosts online Vision Applications, if you are an Oracle Customer - Consultant (if you have Oracle CSI number) you can use these applications from anywhere. Following site can be used for this: http://www.solutionbeacon.com/
Another advantage is; some companies hosts online Vision Applications, if you are an Oracle Customer - Consultant (if you have Oracle CSI number) you can use these applications from anywhere. Following site can be used for this: http://www.solutionbeacon.com/
Monday, January 10, 2011
Line Types of Purchasing Documents
Different line types can be selected while creating purchasing documents like Requisition, Purchase Order etc. These line types indicates that it is for Goods or Services etc and defines line's valuation type as one of Quantity, Amount, Fixed Price, Rate Based. To define line types: Purchasing Super User> Setup> Purchasing> Line Types. More than one line type can be created for a valuation type and for iProcurement default of these types can be selected via profiles (by searching profiles with: POR%Line%Type). Here are sample cases from Purchasing user guide:
"Requestors and buyers generally order both goods and services by quantity. You order the number of items you need in a specific unit of measure and at a given price. For instance, a buyer could order 10 computer terminals at a price of $1500 each. Later, the receiving agent records the receipt of one crate of 5 terminals. The accounts payable department receives a bill for 5 terminals, and matches the invoice against the original purchase order. Sometimes, you also need to order services in the same way. For example, you purchase 40 hours of product training at a rate of $40 per hour. You simply record the hours of training ordered and the price per hour. Once you receive the training, you record the hours received.
However, you sometimes order services by amount rather than by quantity. For example, a project manager orders $10,000 of consulting services to install a local area network. In this case, the buyer only needs to record the total amount of the service.
When half of the work is complete, the project manager records a receipt of $5000. The consulting firm may send an invoice for the complete amount of the service, or it may send partial invoices. In either case, the accounts payable department must match the invoice to the original purchase order or receipt by amount."
"Requestors and buyers generally order both goods and services by quantity. You order the number of items you need in a specific unit of measure and at a given price. For instance, a buyer could order 10 computer terminals at a price of $1500 each. Later, the receiving agent records the receipt of one crate of 5 terminals. The accounts payable department receives a bill for 5 terminals, and matches the invoice against the original purchase order. Sometimes, you also need to order services in the same way. For example, you purchase 40 hours of product training at a rate of $40 per hour. You simply record the hours of training ordered and the price per hour. Once you receive the training, you record the hours received.
However, you sometimes order services by amount rather than by quantity. For example, a project manager orders $10,000 of consulting services to install a local area network. In this case, the buyer only needs to record the total amount of the service.
When half of the work is complete, the project manager records a receipt of $5000. The consulting firm may send an invoice for the complete amount of the service, or it may send partial invoices. In either case, the accounts payable department must match the invoice to the original purchase order or receipt by amount."
Oracle Project Management, Application Implementation Methodologies
Depending on years, projects experience Oracle releases its advised project management, implementation methodologies like Project Management Method (PJM), Application Implementation Method (AIM), AIM for Business Flows (ABF). With Oracle Unified Method (OUM, Released in 2006) Oracle combines legacy methodogies for a more complete and standards based one. Here are just a few notes to give an idea, all required information can be found in corresponding guides.
PJM;
"Oracle Project Management Method is Oracle Method’s standard approach to project management for information technology projects. The goal of PJM is to provide a framework in which all types of information technology (IT) projects can be planned, estimated, controlled, and completed in a consistent manner."
AIM;
"Application Implementation Method is a proven approach for implementing Oracle Applications. It provides documentation templates that support the tasks that must be performed to assist the implementation participants in running and managing projects successfully."
ABF;
AIM for Business Flows is a version of AIM which is used for flow based projects. Two things that make a project flow based; focus on business processes provided by the flows and not application modules, solution driven approach and not requirements driven (requirement driven means: Solution is defined during project based on requirements). It also uses CRP Conference Room Pilot method unlike AIM' s User Acceptance Test (UAT).
OUM;
"The Oracle® Unified Method (OUM) is Oracle's full lifecycle method for deploying Oracle-based business solutions. OUM includes the three focus areas: Manage, Envision and Implement. You can tailor OUM to support your specific project situation. With its ready-made templates, guidelines and tailored work breakdown structure, OUM provides the programmatic tools you need to manage the risks associated with your Oracle-based projects. OUM is standards based; it leverages one of the de facto industry standards, the Unified Software Development Process (UP)2"
A note from OUM guide:
"Do not serve the method; make it serve you. The purpose of methods is to identify and manage risks, improve repeatability and quality, and encourage knowledge capture and reuse. If you’re not going to need it, don’t do it."
PJM;
"Oracle Project Management Method is Oracle Method’s standard approach to project management for information technology projects. The goal of PJM is to provide a framework in which all types of information technology (IT) projects can be planned, estimated, controlled, and completed in a consistent manner."
AIM;
"Application Implementation Method is a proven approach for implementing Oracle Applications. It provides documentation templates that support the tasks that must be performed to assist the implementation participants in running and managing projects successfully."
ABF;
AIM for Business Flows is a version of AIM which is used for flow based projects. Two things that make a project flow based; focus on business processes provided by the flows and not application modules, solution driven approach and not requirements driven (requirement driven means: Solution is defined during project based on requirements). It also uses CRP Conference Room Pilot method unlike AIM' s User Acceptance Test (UAT).
OUM;
"The Oracle® Unified Method (OUM) is Oracle's full lifecycle method for deploying Oracle-based business solutions. OUM includes the three focus areas: Manage, Envision and Implement. You can tailor OUM to support your specific project situation. With its ready-made templates, guidelines and tailored work breakdown structure, OUM provides the programmatic tools you need to manage the risks associated with your Oracle-based projects. OUM is standards based; it leverages one of the de facto industry standards, the Unified Software Development Process (UP)2"
A note from OUM guide:
"Do not serve the method; make it serve you. The purpose of methods is to identify and manage risks, improve repeatability and quality, and encourage knowledge capture and reuse. If you’re not going to need it, don’t do it."
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