Oracle Inventory FAQS

Q.1   Will the changes made in a Workday calendar comes into effect after saving?

No. The changes made into a Workday calendar will come into effect only after Building The Calendar.

Q2 How different weekly offs can be assigned to different shifts without doing it manually?

Suppose Monday is the Calendar Start day and we want Thursday as weekly off for 1^st shift and Friday for 2^nd shift, enter the ‘Workday Pattern’ for 1^st as 3 On 1 Off and 3 On 0 Off. This means that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are working days, Thursday is Off and Friday, Saturday and Sunday are again working days, for any week for 1^st shift. And for 2^nd      shift enter the Workday Pattern as 4 On 1 Off and 2 On 0 Off.

Q3 What is an Organization?

An Organization is an inventory location with its own Set of Books, Costing Method, Workday Calendar and List of items.

Q4 What is a Sub inventory?

A Sub inventory is used when two physical inventory locations share the same Set of Books, Costing Method, Workday Calendar, but different list of items.

Q5 How will you that a location is available for transaction in all Organizations?

While defining the Location, don’t attach an Organization to it so that the location can be used for any organization

Q6 What is the difference between Internal and External Organizations?

The difference between Internal and External Organization is that we can not

Assign people to an External Organization.

Examples of External Organizations:

       Workers Compensation Insurance Carriers.

       Organizations that are recipients of third party payments from Employee’s benefits.

Q7 What is an Item Master Organization?

The organization in which the items are defined is called the Item Master Organization. Child Organizations (other organizations) refer to the Item Master for the item definition. There is no functional or technical difference between the Item Master Organization and other Organizations. However, for simplicity, it is recommended to limit the item master to just for an item defining organization.

Q8 Is it possible to have different costing methods for different organizations under the same Item Master Organization?

Yes. Even we can have dummy organizations for using different costing method for different costing method for different items within an organization.

Q9 Can we use Average Costing in an organization where WIP is also installed?

No. We can’t use Average Costing if WIP is installed.

(Below is the answer that I got from Metalink:

You CAN use average costing where WIP is installed.
You CANNOT use average costing where costs are shared among several organizations - average costing is calculated at the inventory org level.
You CANNOT change the costing method of an existing organization. You must create a new inventory org and specify the cost method before beginning any transactions)

Q10 What shall be the Costing Organization of an Org.?

If individual organization wants to have control over its own cost, we will assign the current organization itself as the Costing organization. If that is not the case, we can assign the Item Master Organization or any other organization as the costing organization.

Q11 What is a Cost Master Organization?

If costs are shared under standard costing, the organization in which the costs are defined is called Cost master Organization or Costing Organization.

Any Organization shares standard costs from a Cost master Organization can’t use Bills Of Material.

Q12 How unit cost is derived under Average Costing?

Under Average Costing, the unit cost is derived by averaging the value of all receipts of that item to inventory, on a per unit basis. Each receipt to the inventory updates the unit cost of the received item. Issues from inventory uses the current average cost as the unit cost.

                                    (Transaction value + Current inventory value)

Average Cost=  ---------------------------------------------------

                                    (Transaction qty. + current on-hand qty.)

Transaction Value = PO price x Transaction qty.

Q13 Under Standard Costing, how does the system get the unit cost?

We have to define unit cost of all the items as standard cost and the difference between the defined standard cost and the actual cost are recorded as variances. Under Standard Costing we can share costs across multiple organizations and hence the standard costs will be defined only in one organization. The Cost Master Organization will normally be the Item Master Organization.

Q14 What is Purchase Price Variance (PPV)?

When using the standard Costing, the difference between the defined standard cost and the actual cost are recorded as Purchase Price Variance (PPV)

PPV   =  (PO Unit Price – Standard unit Cost) x Qty. Received.

Purchase Price Variance is not used for Average Costing.

Q15 What is Invoice Price Variance (IPV)?

Invoice Price Variance (IPV) is the difference between PO unit price and the actual invoice unit price multiplied by the quantity invoiced.

IPV      =     (PO Unit Price – Invoice unit Price) x Qty. Invoiced

Q16 Does Repetitive Schedule Supports Average Costing?

No. We can’t define Repetitive Schedules in an organization that is defined as a manufacturing, average cost organization. The reason for this is that weighted average costing cannot be applied to repetitively manufactured items.

Q17 Under average costing, can we share costs between organizations?

No. We can’t share costs between organizations under average costing because average costs are maintained separately in each organization.

Q18 What is the pre-requisite for updating the subinventory parameters?

The subinventory parameters can be updated only if there is no On-Hand quantity in that subinventory.

Q19 What is an Expense Subinventory and what all are the parameters you will select while defining an Expense Subinventory?

A subinventory where qty. is not tracked is called an Expense Subinventory. No parameters will be selected for this subinventory. (When the ‘Qty. Tracked’ parameter is not selected, automatically the other parameter go inactive.)

Q20 Can you prevent some specific items to be assigned to any subinventory other than a selected one?

Yes. Set the item attribute ‘Restrict Subinventory’ to the required Subinventory.

Q21 In item Status,’ Default Value’ and ‘’Sets Value’ stands for what?

If ‘Default Value’ is selected against a Status Attribute, the user may change the defaulted value whereas if ‘Sets Value’ is selected, the user will not be able to change the defaulted value.

Q22 Which is the Status Attributes?

Stockable

Transactable

Purchasable

Invoice Enabled

Customer Orders Enabled

Internal Orders Enabled

BOM Allowed

Build in WIP.

Q23     Is it possible to change the primary UOM after saving?

No. The primary UOM can’t be changed after saving.(In order to avoid mistakes, enter the required primary UOM as the User Value against the Profile Option ’INV:Primary UOM’ so that it will always default.)

Q24 Is it possible to delete a defined Item Status Code?

If the Status Code is not used anywhere, it can be deleted.

Q25 How will you assign multiple status code to an item with different effective dates?

Navigation: Items > Master Items.

Query for the required item

Navigation: Tools > Pending Status.

In the Pop up window we can assign any number of Status codes with different effective dates. The Status becomes effective on the effective dates (by choosing the push button Implement.)

Q26 How will you view the history of an Item Status?

Go to the same screen mentioned above.

Q27 How will you ensure that a defined Item Attribute Template is available in all organizations?

While defining the template, leave the organization field blank so that it will be available in all organizations. If the name of any particular organization is entered in the organization field, the template will be available only in that particular organization.

Q28 Which are the control levels of Item category Sets?

Master Level and Organization Level.

Q29 How will you Define Default Category Set to different functional areas?

Inventory > Setup> Category > Default Category Set.

Functional Area	Category Set	Description
Inventory	Inventory	Inventory Category Set
Purchasing	Purchasing	Purchasing Category Set
Planning	Inventory	Inventory Category Set
Service	Inventory	Inventory Category Set
Costing	Inventory	Inventory Category Set
Engineering	Inventory	Inventory Category Set
Order Entry	Inventory	Inventory Category Set
Internal Order	Inventory	Inventory Category Set

Q30 Is it mandatory to have a Default Category Set to all items defined for use by a functional area?

There must be a default category set assigned for every item.

Q31 How will you define a new revision for an item?

In the item defining window, query for an item and navigate > special revision. In the popping up window, we can define the required revision with the effective date.

Q32 What is Picking Order of Subinventory or Locator? Where will you define the order?

The value indicates the priority with which we pick items from subinventory or Locator, relative to another subinventory or locator, where a given item resides. A picking order of 1 means that order entry functions pick items from the subinventory or locator before others with a higher number (such as 2,3 and so on).

The subinventory order is defined in the subinventory definition and the locator order is defined in the locator definition. The default order for both the subinventory and the locator are defined in the organization.

Q33 Does it requires any condition to be met for Oracle Inventory to follow the picking order defined for subinventory or locator?

The option selected against the subinventory order and locator order while defining the Picking Rule decides whether Inventory will follow the picking order defined for subinventory or locator.

Subinventory Order Options available in Picking Rules:

Subinventory: Pick by order defined for each subinventory

Receipt Date: Pick earliest subinventory receipt date              

None                : Do not consider subinventory in the picking process

Locator Order Options available in Picking Rules:

Locator            : Pick items by order defined for each locator

Receipt Date: Pick items by earliest locator receipt date

None                : Do not consider locators in the picking process

Q34 Is it possible to create a discrete job for a min-max planned make item at subinventory level?

No, Discrete Job will be created only at Organization Level.

Q35 Do Requisition created by Min-Max planning requires approval?

If the profile option ‘INV: Minmax Reorder Approval’ is set to ‘Pre-Approved’, the approved status of the generated requisition will be ‘Approved’ and if the mentioned profile option is set to ‘Approval Required’, the generated requisition will have to be approved.

Q36 Do Requisition created by ROP (reorder point) planning requires approval?

If the profile option ‘INV: Minmax Reorder Approval’ is set to ‘Pre-Approved’, the approved status of the generated requisition will be ‘Approved’ and if the mentioned profile option is set to ‘Approval Required’, the generated requisition will have to be approved.

Q37 Do Requisition created by Replenishment Planning requires approval?

If the profile option ‘INV: RC Requisition Approval’ is set to ‘Pre-Approved’, the approval status of the generated requisition will be ‘Approved’ and if the mentioned profile option is set to ‘Approval Required’, the generated requisition will have to be approved.

Q38     Is it possible to define safety stock for an item at subinventory level?

No. The safety stock can be defined only at organization level.

Q39 what are the two methods adopted by Oracle Inventory to calculate the Safety Stock if it is generated by the system?

1.     Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) method. In this method, the

Safety Stock = Z x (1.25 x MAD) where Z is the number from the normal distribution probabilities corresponding to the service level specified by the user and MAD is the mean absolute deviation of the historic forecasts from the actual demand.

2.     As a Percentage of Forecast Demand Method. In this method, the

Safety Stock = Forecast Demand x Safety Stock %  / 100

Q40 How does Oracle Inventory arrive at the time of creating an Order, for an ROP planned item?

The Order is raised when the,

(On-Hand Qty. + Planned Receipts) <  (Forecast Demand + Safety Stock) during lead-time.

Q41How does Oracle Inventory arrive at the size of the Order for an ROP planned item?

The Order size will be the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ),

EOQ = Sq.root of (2 x Annual Cost x Order Cost) / Carrying Cost.

Q42 Replenishment Count planning is adopted to replenish items of what type of Subinventory?

Replenishment Count planning is adopted to replenish items in Expense Subinventory.

Q43 Can we use the Replenishment Count planning for an item assigned to an Asset Subinventory (Qty. tracked)?

It can be used, provided that we give one of the following two information in addition to the item and Subinventory.

Order Quantity: Specify the Qty. that is to be ordered  

                                    OR

Order Max. Qty.: Inventory orders the Min-Max, maximum qty.

Q44 What is the very primary step that is to be taken before starting the first transaction in a new organization?

Open the Inventory Accounting Periods.

Navigate to: Accounting Close Cycle  > Inventory Accounting periods.

Q45 How will you receive substitute items?

First define item relationships. If substitutes are defined in the item relationship window, we will get a list of substitutes while receiving the items from which we can choose the required substitute.

Set ‘Allow Substitute Receipts’ to you in the Receiving Option, Item Attribute and Supplier.

Q46 How many Interface Managers are there? What do they do?

There are four Interface managers viz.

        Cost manager

        Demand reservation

        Material transaction

        Move transaction

The Transaction Manager run at periodic intervals, as per the period we set for each Manager so that they execute the processes like resource Cost transaction, Demand Reservation, Material Transaction and Move Transaction.

Q47 How will you transfer the Transaction details into GL?

If ‘Transfer to GL’ in organization definition is set to Yes, we can transfer the details through the navigation: Accounting Close Cycle > General Ledger Transfer.

The transfer is done for specific periods.

Q48 How will you print a receipt note for each shipment received?

Set the profile option ’RCV: Print Receipt Traveler’ to Yes.

Q49 In the Organization definition we enter the mode of inter-Org Transfer Charge; but where will you enter the actual charge value?

In the ‘Add Value’ field of Transaction Lines in Inter-Org. Transfer.

Q50 while defining a Forecast, we don’t mention about the Forecast Rule. Then what is the use of a Forecast Rule?

The Forecast Rule is used if the system generates a forecast from the historical data.

Q51 If the Receiver of an item should not change the Ship-to-Location mentioned in the PO, how will you ensure this?

Set ‘Enforce Ship-To-Location’ to Yes in the following areas:

1.     Item Attributes.

2.     Receiving Options.

Q52 Which are the Destination type that can be there for an item to be being received?

Receiving, Inventory, Shop floor and Expense.

Q53 If the Line Type selected in a PO is ‘Outside Processing’, what should be the Destination type?

Shop floor.

Q54 Is it possible to schedule an item for Cycle Counting when it is under Serial Control?

Yes from release 11.0 it is possible but for prior release it is not possible as cycle counting and serial number control doesn’t go parallel.

Q55 What is Hit/Miss % stands for in a Cycle Count?

A Count is considered a Hit if it is within the Hit/Miss tolerance and a Miss, if it is beyond the tolerance. The Hit/Miss tolerance can be either the approval tolerance or slightly wider. The Hit/Miss tolerance is used to evaluate the accuracy of the Cycle Count procedures rather than the actual accuracy of the Inventory.

Q56 If you don’t want the quantity, ordered or due, is to be displayed while receiving an item, how will you do this?

Set the Receiving Option ‘Allow Blind receiving’ to Yes.

Q57 How will you ensure that all Receipts will be numbered automatically?

Define the numbering method Automatic or Manual in Receiving Options. If Automatic is selected, enter the starting number also in the field ‘Next number’.

Q58 If you want updation of Item Names, where will you mention it?

The profile option ‘INV:Updatable Item Names’ to Yes.

Q59 What is an Intransit Inventory?

When materials are transferred between organizations, we use Intransit Inventory if the distance between the shipping and receiving organizations are high and consequently the transportation time is more. The material is in Intransit Inventory means that it is in the transport used (Truck etc.).

Q60 How will you track material in Intransit Inventory?

Navigation: Transaction > Material Transaction.

Enter the required search criteria and click Find.

The pop up window has the following regions:

Location:

Display the Item, Subinventory, Locator, Revision, Transfer Locator, Transfer Subinventory, Transfer organization, Transaction Date, Transaction Type Information.

Intransit:

Display the Shipment Number, Way bill /Air bill Number, Freight Code, Container, Quantity and Transaction Type Information.

Reason, Reference:

Display the Item, Transaction Reason, Transaction Reference, Costed Indicator, Supplier, Lot, Source Code, Source Line ID and Transaction Type Information.

Transaction ID:

Display the Item, Transfer Transaction ID, Transaction Header Number, Receiving Transaction ID, Completion Transaction ID, Department Code, Operation Seq. Number and Transaction Type Information.

Transaction Type:

Display the Item, Source, Source Type, Transaction Type, Transaction UOM, Transaction Qty., Transaction ID and Transaction Date Information.

  

Q61 What is the difference between Focus Forecasting and Statistical Forecasting?

Focus Forecasting: This procedure tests, the selected items against a number of forecasting techniques and choose the best one, based on history, as the technique to forecast future demand.

Statistical Forecasting: uses the exceptional smoothing, trend and seasonality algorithms to forecast demand for an item.

Q62 What does the term ‘Alpha Smoothing Factor’ used in Statistical Forecasting means?

This Factor is used to smooth demand for each successive period in the forecast. This levels the demand throughout the forecast, reducing dramatic upward or downward fluctuations.

The value can range from 0 to 1. Values closer to 0 give more weight to past demand; values closer to 1 give more weight to current demand.

Q63 What is the Item Attributes Control Level?

The Item Attributes can be controlled at Organization Level and Master Level.

Q64 Can you set item attributes differently for different organizations?

Yes. Those attributes that are controlled at organization level can be set differently for different organizations.

Navigation: Items > Organization Items.

Set the required attribute and this will be applicable only to that particular organization.

Q65 Which are those item attributes that can be controlled only at one level? Mention the attribute and its unique control level.

Attribute	Control Level
Base Model	Master
BOM Item Type	Master
Engineering Item	Organization
Preprocessing Lead Time	Organization
Processing Lead Time	Organization
Post Processing Lead Time	Organization
Fixed Lead Time	Organization
Variable Lead Time	Organization
Cumulative Manufacturing Lead Time	Organization
Cumulative Total Lead Time	Organization
Encumbrance Account	Organization
Expense Account	Organization
Sales Account	Organization
Cost Of Goods Sold Account	Organization
Planner	Organization
Planning Exception Set	Organization
Source Organization	Organization
Source Subinventory	Organization
WIP Supply Subinventory	Organization
WIP Supply Locator	Organization

Q66 While doing the Sales Order scheduling with Demand Reservation, the item is not getting reserved. Where will you check?

Check the Item Attribute ‘Reservable’ is set to ‘Yes’ or not. Profile Option ‘OE: Reservations’ is set to ‘Yes’ or not.

Reservation control for a Subinventory overrides reservations control for an item. In other words, if an item is reservable but the Subinventory is not, the item quantity in that Subinventory is not reservable.

Q67 Suppose one of your suppliers of a particular item supplies the material only in full truckload. How will you ensure that the Order Quantity will always be the full truckload quantity or it’s multiple?

Enter the full truckload quantity in the ‘Fixed Order Quantity’ field of item Attributes.

Q68 What is the difference between Fixed Lot Multiplier and Fixed Order Quantity?

Fixed Order Quantity

Enter the quantity used to modify the size of planned order quantities or

repetitive daily rates. When net requirements fall short of the fixed order quantity, the planning process suggests the fixed order quantity. When net requirements exceed the fixed order quantity, the planning process suggests multiple orders for the fixed order quantity.

For discrete items, use this attribute to define a fixed production or

purchasing quantity. For repetitive items, use this attribute to define a fixed production rate. For example, if your suppliers can provide the item in full truckload quantities only, enter the full truckload quantity as the fixed order quantity.

(This field will come under general planning tab of item master screen)

Fixed Lot Multiplier

Enter the fixed lot multiple quantity or repetitive rate (units per day).

Planning algorithms (reorder point, min–max, MPS, and MRP) use this

to modify the size of planned order quantities or repetitive daily rates.

When net requirements fall short of the fixed lot size multiplier quantity,

planning algorithms suggest a single order for the fixed lot size multiplier quantity. When net requirements exceed the fixed lot size multiplier quantity, planning algorithms suggest a single order that is a multiple of the fixed lot size multiplier.

(This field will come under general planning tab of item master screen).

Q69 What is the difference between ‘Shrinkage Rate’ and Yield % mentioned in the BOM?

Shrinkage Rate is the expected loss of Finished Goods on prolonged storage. (May be some weight losses due to drying etc.)

Yield % represents the expected losses of components, used to manufacture an item, occurring during the manufacturing process.

The same item can have different Yield % in different Bill, but the Shrinkage % remains the same.

Q70 The Item Attribute, ‘Acceptable Days Early’ is applicable to items meant for Discrete Jobs or Repetitive Schedules?

The said attribute is applicable only for Discrete Jobs. Planning suggests a rescheduling only if the rescheduling is required earlier than the number of days mentioned here

Q71 The item Attribute, ‘Overrun percentage’, ‘Acceptable Rate Increase’ and ‘Acceptable Rate Decrease’ are used for what?

All these item attributes mentioned above are used only for Repetitively Planned items. The planning process suggests a new daily rate if the current rate exceeds the suggested rate by more than the acceptable overrun amount.

 Acceptable Rate Increase and Acceptable Rate Decrease are the tolerance for the daily rates that planning process has to confine while suggesting new daily rates. Or in other words, the planning process can’t suggest any new rate beyond the limits of the acceptable rate increase and acceptable rate decrease.

Q72 How will you ensure that a Customer order is not placed on an item, which is at the developing stage?

Set the item attribute, ‘Customer Orders Enabled’ to No.

Q73 What is Transaction Source Type?

A Transaction Source Type is the type of entity against which Oracle Inventory charges a transaction. Along with a transaction action, it uniquely identifies the type of transaction we perform.

Q74What is Transaction Type?

A Transaction Type is a combination of Transaction Type Source and a Transaction Action. It is used to classify a particular transaction for reporting and querying purpose.

Q75While doing transaction in Inventory, (Misc.Receipt/Issue, Subinventory Transfer, Inter-Org Transfer etc) what date we can enter as the transaction date is governed by what?

It is governed by the profile option ‘INV: Transaction Date Validation’. The option available for this profile are:

1.     Allow date in any open period.

2.     Do not allow past date.

3.     Do not allow date in past period.

4.     Provide warning when date is in past period.

Q76 How will you remove transaction details permanently from the database tables?

Navigation: Transaction > Purge

Type: Request   Name: Transaction Purge

Parameter: Purge Date

                        Purge Name.

Inventory does not purge transaction in an open period.

Q77 What are the Reports available on Transactions?

1.     Lot Transaction Register

2.     Serial Number Transaction register

3.     Transaction Historical Summary

4.     Transaction Register

5.     Transaction Source Type Summary

6.     Movement Statistics Report

7.     Expected Receipt Report

8.     Overdue Vendor Shipments Report

9.     Receipts Adjustments Report

10.   Receipt Traveler

11.   Receiving Transaction Register

12.   Receiving Transaction Report

Q78 Which are the combination results of ‘Content Scope’ and ‘Valuation Scope’ in an ABC Compile?

Content Scope: Subinventory

Valuation Scope: Subinventory.

Quantity / Value of items assigned to and available in the specified Subinventory is not considered.

Content Scope: Subinventory

Valuation Scope: Organization

Quantity / Value of items assigned to the specified Subinventory, available in all the Subinventories of the organization.

Content Scope: Organization

Valuation Scope: Organization

Quantity / Value of items assigned to all the Subinventories and available in all the Subinventories of the organization.

Q79 Which are the criteria used in an ABC Compile?

1.     Current On-Hand Quantity

2.     Current On-Hand Value

3.     Historical Usage Value

4.     Historical Usage Quantity

5.     Historical Number of Transaction

6.     Forecasted Usage Value

7.     Forecasted Usage Quantity

8.     Previous Cycle Count Adjustment Quantity

9.     Previous Cycle Count Adjustment Value

10.   MRP Demand Usage Quantity

11.   MRP Demand Usage Value

Q80 Can Cycle Counting and Physical Inventory go side by side?

YES.

Q81 What are the Cycle Count Reports?

1.     Cycle Count Schedule Request Reports

2.      Cycle Count Listing

3.     Cycle Counts Open Requests Listing

4.     Cycle Counts Unscheduled Item Reports

5.     Cycle Counts Pending Approval Reports

6.     Cycle Counts Entries And Adjustments Reports

7.     Cycle Counts Hit / Miss Analysis

Q82 How will you find out whether any cycle count entry is pending approval?

Run the ‘Cycle Count Pending Approval Report’.

Q83 Does Hit / Miss Tolerance is applicable to Physical inventory?

No. It is applicable only for Cycle Counting.

Q84 Which are the Physical Inventory Reports?

1.     Physical Inventory Tag Listing

2.     Physical Inventory Counts report

3.     Physical Inventory Missing Tag Listing

4.     Physical Inventory Adjustments Reports

5.     Physical Inventory Accuracy Analysis

6.     Physical Inventory Summary Report

            7.     Physical Inventory Trend Report

Q85 How will you find out the pending transactions before closing a period?

Navigate: Accounting Close Cycle > Inventory Accounting Period

There in that screen choose the button Pending.

Q86 Can you transfer an item from an Expense Subinventory to an Asset Subinventory?

It can be done provided that the profile option ‘INV: Allow Expense To Asset Transaction’ is set to ‘Yes’.

Q87 will the System stop Inventory processing after taking snapshot?

The System will not stop doing transaction after taking snapshot; but we must continuously avoid transaction till then the quantities are counted and entered in the System avoiding errors in counted quantities.

Q88 If transaction are done immediately after entering the count quantities, before approving and posting adjustments will it lead to errors in Physical inventory processing?

No. The variation between system On-hand qty. and count quantities are derived by comparing the static qty. recorded at the time of snapshot, and the count quantities entered. The system never makes comparison between count qty. and the current On-hand qty. 

Q89 Suppose in a particular case, you have selected ‘Never’ in the ‘Approval Required’ field of Physical Inventory, after that you missed to make a few entries of count quantities of several items. In this case, if you post adjustments, what will happen to the missing entries?

The System will consider the count quantities as zero and adjustments will be posted accordingly. So, it is always advisable to run the Physical Inventory Missing Tag Report to find out any missing entries before posting adjustments.

Q90 How will you ensure that you didn’t miss to enter count quantity of any item?

Run the Physical Inventory Missing Tag Report.

Q91 If the System doesn’t have on-hand qty. for a particular item; will tags be created for them during Physical Inventory Tag Generation?

No. Tags will be generated only for items, which are having on-hand quantity.

Q92 Why will you generate blank tags for a physical inventory?

For taking care of items, if any, which are having no system on-hand qty. and at the same time there is physical balance available in the Subinventory.

Q93 If the approval action selected is not ‘Never’, is it absolutely essential to perform the approval action (either Approve or Reject) before running the Adjustment Program?

Yes. Oracle Inventory does not posts physical inventory adjustments if any adjustments that are still pending approval.

If the approval action selected is ‘If Out Of Tolerance’ and your count quantity is falling within the approval tolerance, then approving is not required for posting adjustments.