Oracle Identity Management (OIM) is an integrated system of business processes, policies and technologies that enable organizations to facilitate and control their users' access to critical online applications and resources -- while protecting confidential personal and business information from unauthorized users. It supports user authentication, authorization and provisioning.OIM suite of products now has been extended to support the Oracle R12 E-Business Suite of ERP applications

In summary, Oracle Identity Management includes the following products and applications:

• Oracle Internet Directory (OID): Oracle Internet Directory is an LDAP server for authentication between Oracle R12 EBS and third party LDAP servers such as Microsoft Active Directory.
• Oracle Access Manager (OAM): OAM provides additional security authentication for identity management which basically replacing previous Oracle Single Sign On (OSSO) as future solution for single sign on authentication product.
• Oracle Adaptive Access Manager (OAAM) :Oracle Adaptive Access Manager (OAAM) is the complementary identity management solution which is part of the Oracle Identity Management (OIM) suite of Oracle Fusion Middleware products.
• Oracle Virtual Directory (OVD) :Oracle Virtual Directory provides LDAP virtualization directory services with Oracle Identity Management products to authenticate LDAP resources between Oracle database and Oracle EBS applications. As such OVD functions to
  integrate Oracle applications in a secure environment.

When you are trying to upload any attachment in EBS via iProc or iexpense or isupplier or istore, Take a note there is no limit to the file size of an attachment; however, the 2-4 GB limitation of a LOB could be considered the limitation of an attachment file.

You can also limit the file size by setting the Profile Option on site level:

'Upload File Size Limit'

Normally, any file upload within OA Framework observes this profile option value.

The 'Upload File Size Limit' profile option is being interpreted as bytes instead of kilobytes by the forms application.This profile option is being interpreted correctly by the framework interface but not interpreted correctly via the forms interface.

It specifies the maximum allowable file size in KB for uploaded attachments.For example, if the limit is 2MB, this value should be set to 2000.

If you are technical consultant and working on Oracle Applications Upgrade projects (for any version >11.5.8 to 12.1.x) and have a large number of customized DB objects and reports (Tables, Views, Packages, ...etc), the biggest dilemma for you how and where to start. You know there lot many things changed conceptually but you are not really sure how DB objects changes in these latest and greatest version of your application affect your CEMLI's. Untill last last month, this was a really a lacking area but recently Oracle has documented(Note id: 1290886.1) all the table changes and published them via MySupport aka Metalink.

EBS Data Model Comparison Tool

This tool is in form of Report , which provides the database object definition changes between two EBS releases to help to preview the database object definition changes before upgrading their instances from one release to another and understand the impact of the database object changes that may affect the customization or business flows.

What is in Coverage

All DB Objects are covered in this report as..

• Regular tables ( also Partitioned tables, Global Temp Table, Queued Tables)
• Views
• Index
• Sequnces
• Materialized views & Logs
• Packages
• Triggeers
• Types

Oracle Version for Report output

Untill this post, this report is being used for these Oracle Version.

• Release 11.5.9 to Release 12.1.3
• Release 11.5.10.2 to Release 12.1.3
• Release 12.0.4 to Release 12.1.3
• Release 12.0.6 to Release 12.1.3
• Release 12.1.1 to Release 12.1.3
• Release 12.1.2 to Release 12.1.3

Before start for tool usage

• You should know both(source and target) the version for Oracle EBS in order to get maximum benifit of the reports.
• List out all your application module where you would like to see the changes.

Steps for usage

1. Download respective zip from metalink , presume you know your existing application and target application version.
2. unzip the file into local directory.Open the file "DataModelComparisonReport.html" in your browser .
3. Select the Product from LOV for which you want to see .

Once you selected the product and navigate to the database object definition differences for each supported database object type which is displayed in the bottom frame. Uppar part of report will give you high level summary for all DB changes.

If you can the details for any changes go to details and find in details sections , here is one for Pacakage .

Thats means , if you take a pacakge AP_CANCEL_PKG , that means one Function and one procudure is added and 6 existing procudure is taken out if you are coming from 11.5.10.2 to 12.1.3

You should also note , there is one product appear as "MISC" in the product LOV, this exclusive for this reports nothing to deal with Oracle modules. All the products that exist in common schema is mapped with 'MISC' short code .

Reference

• Metalink Note 1290886.1 :EBS Data Model Comparison Report Overview
• Metalink Note 1104163.1 :Oracle E-Business Suite R12.1 Financials Pre-Upgrade, Setup, and Operational Tips
• Metalink Note 987516.1 :Planning Your Oracle E-Business Suite Upgrade from Release 11i to Release 12.1
• Metalink Note 889733.1: Upgrade Considerations by Product for Financials
• Metalink Note 747735.1 :Oracle Financials and Oracle Procurement: Functional Upgrade Guide: Release 11i to Release 12
  Metalink Note 780989.1: Upgrade vs. Reimplementation for Financials

Here is workaround for automatic/mass CCID generation or insertion of new CCID’s in GL_CODE_COMBINATIONS Table, when new values in Accounting Flexfield Segment are created, EXCEPT “Dynamic Insert” option activated .

you can use the api (function) -> fnd_flex_ext.get_ccid to create the ccid.

If the combination already exists, it returns the existing ccid else creates a new one and returns the id. Explicit commit command needs to be executed after calling this function.

Use below function which returns the CCID if it is exist and create the CCID if it doesn't exist in the application

 
<pre>fnd_flex_ext.get_ccid(application_short_name => 'SQLGL', 
                      key_flex_code          =>'GL#', 
                      structure_number       =>l_coa_id, 
                      validation_date        =>to_char(SYSDATE,apps.fnd_flex_ext.date_format), 
                      concatenated_segments  =>l_account); 
 

Read the rest of this entry »

If you are working in big user environment, user always complain there request get stuck or takes time to start processing. Majority of time Support team cann't do anything, unless waiting or asking DBA to check the server performance.

There is couple of option you can try , if you know a demanding user and there request name( Concurrent Program) he/she always want in periority.

Options 1: If you know what particular program user required in priority.

In oracle EBS you need to set the priority of specific users so that when they run specific reports, those reports should be run on high priority. The steps are very simple:

1. Go to Sysadmin Responsibility and go to menu Profile > System.
2. Make sure Site and User boxes are checked.
3. Select the user name for the user for whom you want to increase the priority
4. Enter the following within the Profile box and click on Find: Concurrent:Request Priority
5. Change the priority for the user as you see fit (1 is highest, 99 is lowest, 50 is the default) , Save and exit.

Options 2: You know the Program name, and want to make execution in priority

The steps are very simple:

1. Login system administrator /Application developer and go to define concurrent screen
   Under Concurrent >> Program >> Define
2. Find the Program name whose priority you wish to change for ex. "Payable Transfer to GL"
3. On this screen you can set priority of this request by entering value in "Priority" field( as mark in red) (1 is highest, 99 is lowest, 50 is the default) , Save and exit.

Oracle definition for Priority

Priority is used to indicate the priority that the concurrent request will be assigned when it is submitted. If you do not assign a priority, the user's profile option Concurrent:Priority sets the request's priority at submission.

Profile : Concurrent:Request Priority

This displays the default priority number for your concurrent requests. Only a system administrator can change your request priority.

Requests normally run according to start time, on a "first-submitted, first-run" basis. Priority overrides request start time. A higher priority request starts before an earlier request.

Priorities range from 1 (highest) to 99 (lowest). The standard default is 50.

Users can see this profile option, but they cannot update it. This profile option is visible and updatable at all four levels.

Here is quick compare with two process modeling tool available in oracle.

Suggested Read

• Oracle Workflow: Inside View

The CRM Foundation is used to provide the CRM applications with a robust architecture, stable and performant technology stack, and reusable application components to ensure the CRM product teams are as productive, consistent, and as competitive as possible.

CRM Foundation provides the CRM suite with a robust architecture, a stable and performant technology stack, and reusable application components.

Oracle CRM Foundation is:

• A common infrastructure upon which CRM modules are built
• A set of application components that can be used by all CRM modules
• Application components that can be used by all CRM modules (such as Tasks, Resources, Notes)
• Shared modules that can integrate with ERP through CRM

Architecture Assessment is a thorough and repeatable process to evaluate changed business requirements and assess their impact/risk to System Architecture:

It involve evaluation of

• Business Architecture-Business requirement gap analysis
• Application Architecture-Application Design & Frameworks
• Information Architecture -System Data Model and Data Migration
• Technical Architecture-Infrastructure, Configuration Management and Security

These are the some of questions which was asked by loyal reader in last couple of months.

• where I get the information about API which is suitable for a specific business process?
• I need to know full description of an API?
• I need to understand full description of each parameter?
• Where I can get the technical information so that I can able to use these APIs?
• I need to know what other interface mechanisms are available for Integration with Oracle EBS Suite?
• How do I access the Oracle Integration Respository Screen Which Exposes Web Services , API's etc?
• Could you please explain what the Oracle Integration Repository is used for?
• Could you please guide me how to access irep...I see references in several documents, not clear as to how to access the screen?

So this is small but powerful post will help you get the answer of these question.

IREP ....Much about Nothing

Think of it as a knowledge base of all integration points for the e-business suite.

So...that mean the Oracle iRep(Integration Repository) is a compilation of information about the different service endpoints exposed by the Oracle E-business Suite of applications.

This provides you a complete catalog of Oracle E-Business Suite’s business service interfaces. You consider this as powerful tool that helps users to discover and deploy the appropriate business interface for integration with any system application .

There is no additional cost you need to pay to get this add-on tool. This is shipped as part of the E-Business Suite Bundle. As the instance is patched, the repository is automatically updated with content appropriate.

The key advantages of using Irep by Implementation consultants are..

• If you want to know how to get data in or out of the suite, you can go search inside it. Any customized modules/classes and functions written can also be published to integrators through the repository.
• You will get assurance from Oracle that you are using supported public interfaces and API's

How should you access IREP ?

Choice is yours , use any one of these options:

1) From E-business Suite, you need to add a Responsibility : Integration Repository
2) You can directly use Oracle's hosted url: http://irep.oracle.com/

What you can access in irep?

• PL/SQL Procedures and Functions :A business interface can be based on a PL/SQL package from which you invoke procedures and functions appropriate to a defined integration goal.
• Open Interface Tables :An open interface consists of the interface tables to store data from external sources and concurrent programs, to validate and apply this data into the Oracle Applications base tables. All open interfaces are implemented using concurrent programs.
• Interface Views :Interface views are database objects that make data from Oracle Applications products available for selection and used by destination applications.
• Concurrent Programs
• Java Methods :A business interface can be based on a Java class from which you invoke methods
• Web Services : Both Service Bean and XML Gateway message maps can be exposed as Web services, which are defined with Web Services Description Language (WSDL) content appropriate to the interface type.
• XML Gateway Maps :Oracle XML Gateway is a set of services that allows easy integration with Oracle Applications to support XML messaging.
• eCommerce Gateway Messages :Oracle e-Commerce Gateway is a file-based integration layer between Oracle Applications and any other external application.

You can get the details of these interfaces in these documents, like Service Data Objects ,XML Schema ,DTD ,Interface Tables ,Views

Accessing Oracle Integration Repository

Those who are still using 11i they can use Oracle url for accessing irep. Accessing through appropriate registration, you can use Oracle's hosted instance of Integration Repository [http://irep.oracle.com /]

Those who are using R12 , take a note, these are shipped with product therefore to access these you have to add a separate responsibility to acess irep.So Under sys admin Navigator menu,you can add Integration Repository responsibility.

Once responsibility is given then you can click the Integration Repository link that appears.

How Should I use irep/how irep Works for me?

There are 2 ways to use the Integration Repository.

• Either you can use through Navigation through the catalog
• or Use of the search page

1. IREP: Catalog Use:On the welcome page you can see on the left the tree of the catalog you can navigate through.
   
2. IREP: Search Page :Clicking on search button will drive you to the research page.You can specify criteria, helped by LOV for some of them.
   

Step by Step : Accessing Oracle Integration Repository

What you have to do minimum is , you can invoke the repository like any other Oracle E-Business Suite application. From the Navigator menu, select the Integration Repository responsibility, then click the Integration Repository link that appears.

Oracle Integration Repository has two main user navigation modes:

• Browse ..this is defualt options for you.
• And the second is Search

Let’s understand How it works ?

First and foremost you need to understand the "Business entities"..which are defined as objects that either perform business activities or have business activities performed on them .

Sales orders, employees, purchase orders, invoice, Payment, customers, and receipts are all examples of business entities.

An interface can be used by multiple business entities, and a business entity can be accessed using multiple interfaces.

Therefore if you are navigating through Integration Repository in that case you can browse directly to an appropriate list of interfaces if you know which product family and product you want to integrate with.

1)The Product Family view is organized as follows: Product Family > Product > Business Entity
For example, Financials > Payables > Payables Invoice.

2) The Interface Type view is organized as follows: Interface Type > Product Family > Product
For example, Web Service > Financials > Cash Management.

the business interface information in Oracle Integration Repository is organized for browsing and searching by interface type, based on the integration technology used. Use this view to see all of the interfaces available for a particular product that use a particular interface type.XML Gateway and Web service-based interfaces conform to various industry standards .

3)The Standard view is organized as follows: Standard and Version > Product Family > Product.
For example, OAG7.2 > Financials > Payables > Process Invoice.

Use this view to browse for a product’s XML Gateway maps and Web services belonging to the specified standard; for example, W3C or OAG 7.2.

Oracle Integration Repository user navigation modes: Searching for an Interface

You can click the Search button anywhere in Oracle Integration Repository to access the main Search page or you can search for interfaces with any combination of the following criteria. This is screen snapshots which you can use.

you can also click Show More Search Options to include any of the following additional criteria in your search:

• Category and Category Value: Used to qualify product-specific features
  • Scope
    • Public - these interfaces can be used by anyone.
    • Internal To Oracle - these interfaces are intended to be used only by Oracle’s product development teams.
    • Private To Application - these interfaces are intended to be used only by the owning product’s development team.
  • Standard: Based on the certain standard like OAG or RosettaNet
• Status
• Active
• Deprecated
• Obsolete
• Planned

How to view Interface Details

Very simple, if you able to find the details

The Interface Details are provided if you click on the Interface Name.

If you take the example of FND_GLOBAL, then you can find the details of a PL/SQL API are as follows:

1. Internal Name
2. Interface
3. Type (of Interface)
4. Business Entity
5. Status
6. Scope
7. Description
8. Signature
9. Parameters etc…

Using Export Feature

Once the list of the APIs is displayed, you can press an export button provides a csv format file: to establish a list of APIs

Therefore , Integration Repository is one of such powerful tool that must be used by any EBS implementor or inhouse IT departments to integrate with other application.

A typical ERP Deployment for any Global company typical consider as Global, Regional or Local Deployment , which can be best understood as:

• Global ERP -Corporations with common business areas that are seeking to centralize management and standardize business processes across geographies and divisions
• Regional ERP -Corporations that operate in group of regional businesses which need to meet unique requirements of particular markets and comply with statutory or legal requirements
• Local ERP -Corporations with significantly different business areas having significantly different business process requirements

Read the rest of this entry »