This post will cover brief overview of steps required to configure Oracle Inventory.

There are some required, optional steps and for some steps you have to check some pre defined system default values that weather it suits your business needs or change them. Perform optional steps only if you are using that business functions.

Later on I will post about optional steps.

Before defining inventory items configuring item flexfield is necessary. On basis of your requirement specific no of segments with fixed length are defined. Once you define the structure of your flexfield and any applicable value sets, you must freeze and compile your flexfield definition.

For step by step demonstration look at..
Steps to Configure System Item Flexfield


Step-2. Define flexfield of item categories.
Before defining items must design and configure your Item Categories Flexfield as all items need to be assigned with categories. After defining compile the flexfield definition to enable the Categories Flexfield pop-up window. Multiple structures for Item Categories Flexfield can be defined.

For step by step demonstration look at..
Steps to Configure Item Categories Flexfield
Step-3.Define flexfield of item catalog group.
If you do not use catalog group still at least one segment must be enabled.
to group items according to certain descriptive elements, Item Catalog Group Flexfield need to be configured. Defining and Compiling the flexfield definition enables the Item Catalog Group Flexfield pop-up

Step-4. Define flexfield of stock locators.
In order to keep track record of locators for inventory items stock locators need to be

configured. e.g. bin, row indicators. Must compile stock locator flexfield even locator control is not implemented

Step-5. Define flexfield of account aliases.
If you want to define logical references to frequently used account number and combinations and use them as transaction source types,you need to configure your account aliases flexfield and define account aliases.

Step-6. Define flexfield of sales orders.
Sales order flexfield must be configured if items will be shipped from inventory.


Step-7. Define Organization Calendar.
If you want to predict needs of your material or to plan material requirement then you can configure workday calendar for this.Work day calendar provide lot of flexibility in terms of shifts, pattern for working days also you can configure exceptions.

For step by step demonstration look at..
How to Define Work Day Calendar.

Step-8. Define organizations.
Organization define different entities in company which may have different manufacturing facilities, warehouses, distribution centers, and branch offices.
Step-9. Setup Change Organizations.
This setup enables you to change organization you define in oracle inventory.using the Change Organization window you can log out and log back in to Oracle Inventory.


Step-10. Define Inventory Relations.

For inter company relations between two operating units (typically the Shipping and Selling organizations) in a multi-organization environment, you must define the relationship in the Intercompany Relations window.

Step-11. Define unit of measure classes.
 All items having similar characteristics fall under same UOM class like Kilogram or Length.

Step-12. Define Sub inventories.

Sub inventory groups inventory logically or physically, at least one sub inventory must be assigned to each organization.

Step-13. Define Item attribute controls.
Attributes are detail information about items.Each attribute is maintained at master level or organization level.If an attribute is defined as master level then it can only be updated at item master level and attributes maintained at item/organization level can only be updated at this level only.
Step-14. Define Categories.

Categories are defined to manage items having same characteristics.

Step-15. Define Category Set and default Category Set.
Sets are defined to further group categories more functionally.Also define at least one default category set.

Step-16. Define statuses.
Statuses are defined to restrict or enable item for different functional areas.
Step-17. Define Cost Types.
Some predefined types are already defined but you can also define your own cost type.
Step-18. Define Accounting Periods.
Periods are defined in oracle General Ledger and in oracle inventory can be opened using inventory periods.

Step-19. Set profile options.

After defining System item flexfield next step to do is to define Item categories flexfield .
1. Go to Inventory responsibility and open Key Fleffield 
    Flexfield -> Key -> Segments

Key Flex Field

In flexfield title search for Item Categories.

Item Categories

2. Enter new record in this case ORK Item Categories. Now click on segments to enter segments summary.

3. You can define any number of segments according to your business requirement  here is this example we   will define three segments.

4. Enter first segment as Super Category. assign column and value set to this segment.
5. Repeatedly do above step for both next segments.Column indicates the database fields that will hold entered value for specific segment. Now enter your desired item segments name and their corresponding value sets.
6. Now freeze flexfield and compile it.
Optional step before defining inventory organization
Define Location.
1. Now In Inventory responsibility navigate to
    Setup -> Organizations -> Organizations

Enter organization name and type from pre defined list.
In this case this organization is defined as Master Org.
2. To define a location navigate to
     Setup -> Organizations -> locations


There are two options for scope Global and Local
Global: If global selected then this location will be available for all modules.
After entering name and description move to address details tab.


3. Choose your address style as address styles are defined according to your country.
    Enter remaining details and save you work. 

4. Now select location ORK Locations in organization definition form.

    Save your work as it is required before proceeding to next step.
    In classification tab select inventory organization from list of values and check it.

5. Now click on others to add additional organizational information.