1. What is Multi-Org?

Introduced as standard functionality in Release 10.7, Multi-Org is a key component of Oracle's E-Business Suite that:
Allows you to logically partition all your application data in one database. A type of Organization called an "Operating
Unit" secures your application data.
Supports multiple organizations of the enterprise structure in a single database
Provides secure access to the data of the different organizations in your enterprise. Each application Responsibility is
associated with an individual Operating Unit. To see and work with application data that is relevant to a specific Operating
Unit, you choose the appropriate Responsibility after logging on to Oracle Applications.
For an overview of Multi-Org, please refer to the white paper, "Multi-Org Release 11i Today."
For detailed information on Multi-Org, please refer to the "Multiple Organizations in Oracle Applications" user's guide.
2. Where do I find the Multi-Org users guide?
The user's guides, "Multiple Organizations in Oracle Applications" for Release 11i, Release 11 and Release 10.7 can be
found in the following locations:
MetaLink <http://metalink.oracle.com/> or iSupport <http://gsi.oraclecorp.com/OA_HTML/ibulogin.jsp>: Navigate to
Top Tech Docs / E-Business Suite: ERP / Applications Core Technology / Multiple Organizations Architecture (Multi-Org)
/ Manuals and eTRMs / Release 11i, Release 11 or Release 10 / Architecture
AppsNet <http://www.oracle.com/appsnet>: Navigate to Products tab / Financials / User and Implementation Guides
3. What is an Operating Unit?
In the financial applications of Oracle's E-Business Suite, an Operating Unit is a type of Organization Classification
through which you secure transaction data. You create, process, and report on financial applications data within the
context of an Operating Unit. An Operating Unit can be used to model an autonomous business unit that performs one or
more business activities and creates transactions with financial impact.
For an overview of Multi-Org, please see the white paper, "Release 11i Multi-Org Today".
For detailed information on Multi-Org, please refer to the "Multiple Organizations in Oracle Applications" user's guide.
4. Is Multi-Org required in the E-Business Suite?
Oracle Applications strongly recommends that our customers convert to Multi-Org as soon as possible. We are making this
recommendation in order to prepare for improvements to performance across the E-Business Suite as well as to prepare for
supporting Multi-Org Access Control, an upcoming feature of the E-Business Suite.
There is no loss of functionality when migrating from a default of no organization to a default of one organization for
your installation.
For more information, please read the technical white paper: "Release 11i Use of Multiple Organizations in Oracle
Applications". For detailed information on Multi-Org, please refer to the "Multiple Organizations in Oracle Applications"
user's guide.
Who is required to convert to Multi-Org?
The conversion must be run regardless of what products are installed.
The reason for this is that even though a product may not use the Multi-Org feature directly, you may have components of
other products installed as shared that do use Multi-Org. For example, GL is not a Multi-Org product, but you can create
tax amounts on journals-Tax is a feature of AR and AR is a Multi-Org product; therefore, you would be required to run the
conversion.
Why is Multi-Org strongly recommended?
Multi-Org is strongly recommended in Release 11i in order to prepare for performance improvements and Multi-Org
Access Control.
Performance Improvement: the Multi-Org functionality is being improved to take advantage of the new core database
features of Oracle Release 9i, which improves the overall performance of the E-Business Suite. In future releases, the
existing Multi-Org view layer will be replaced with the Oracle 9i Virtual Private Database technology.
Multi-Org Access Control: Multi-Org Access Control is an upcoming feature of the E-Business Suite that will allow a user
to process and report on data that resides in an unlimited number of Operating Units from within a single applications
Responsibility.
How do I determine if I need to convert to Multi-Org?
The Convert to Multi-Org process is an option available from the Database Objects menu of the ADADMIN utility. You
can choose this option only if you do not already have Multi-Org set up.
5. What is the difference between multiple databases, multiple instances, and multiple installations?
In Oracle database terminology, an instance is the combination of background processes and memory structures that allow
the user to access data in an Oracle database. In an applications context, instance and database are often used
interchangeably.
Multiple installations, or "installs" means that Oracle Applications are installed multiple times on a single database.
Multiple databases or instances refer to a scenario in which there may exist numerous databases, each with one or more
installations and implementations of the Oracle Applications.
6. Is Multiple Sets of Books Architecture -MSOBA- supported in Release 11i?
No. Multiple Sets of Books Architecture -MSOBA- is obsolete and not supported in Release 11i. Customers who
implemented the Multiple Sets of Books Architecture -MSOBA- should migrate to Multi-Org before upgrading to Release
11i.
What is Multiple Sets of Books Architecture -MSOBA-?
Multiple Sets of Books Architecture -MSOBA-allowed multiple installations of an application on one database. Each
installation of the applications mapped to a unique Set of Books. Multiple Sets of Books Architecture -MSOBA- was
intended to help companies meet their application data security requirements for statutory, tax, reporting and other reasons
by providing for separate installations of Oracle Applications, such as the Oracle Payables, Receivables and Purchasing
modules within the same database instance.
The multiple installation implementation allowed for physical partitioning of application data, but was also necessary if
multiple Sets of Books were required. For example, a company could install Oracle Payables multiple times, once for each
business unit and Set of Books needed. AP1 might represent the installation for the tires business unit, AP2 the metals
business unit, AP3 the upholstery business unit, and so forth. Each installation of the Financial Applications would then
have its own Set of Books. This allowed all of the sub-ledger information to flow to the correct business unit for financial
reporting. Multi-Org architecture eliminated the need to have such separate installations of the sub-ledger applications in
order to support multiple Sets of Books, or provide the desired data partitioning.
For more information on the transition away from Multiple Sets of Books Architecture -MSOBA-, please see the following
documents:
"Problems Running R11i in Multiple Sets of Books Architecture"
"Supported Approaches for Migrating a Multiple Install Architecture (MSOBA) to Multi-Org and 11i"
"The Advantages of Moving to Multi-Org"
Specific examples of why Multiple Sets of Books Architecture -MSOBA- is not supported in a Release 11i environment
are:
Workflow has difficulty identifying and referencing the correct schemas for activities held for background processing
Difficulties in identifying correct attachments for attachment document usage in a Multiple Sets of Books Architecture
-MSOBA-environment with multiple schemas
It is not possible to implement Oracle iReceivables or iProcurement with the Multiple Sets of Books Architecture
-MSOBA-model still in place
Oracle Process Manufacturing requires that Multi-Org be enabled. See the "Oracle Process Manufacturing
Implementation Manual" for further information
Customers who need assistance with planning their migration from Multiple Sets of Books Architecture -MSOBA- should
contact Oracle Support Services or Oracle Consulting.
7. Is there a utility to consolidate applications from multiple instances into one instance?
Yes. iMerge is a utility developed and used exclusively by Oracle Consulting to assist customers with migrations from
Multiple Sets of Books Architecture -MSOBA- to Multi-Org or for consolidation of multiple Oracle Applications instances
into a single instance. Oracle's iMerge Utility is currently available with Oracle Applications Release 10.7 only.
With iMerge, you can:
Consolidate data held in multiple application schemas into one schema within the same instance. The existing data
conforms to Multiple Sets of Books Architecture -MSOBA-, which in the course of consolidation into a single applications
schema is converted into Multi-Org architecture.
Consolidate data held in multiple instances into a single instance. In each of the instances, the data should be held in a
single schema (i.e. should comply with Multi-Org architecture).
Consolidate multiple GL Sets of Books into a single GL Set of Books when the Chart of Accounts, Calendar and Currency
are the same.
Customers can thereafter successfully migrate from Oracle Applications Release 10.7 to Release 11i.
The contacts for the iMerge consulting solution at Oracle are:
Lori Coleman <mailto:Lori.Coleman@oracle.com>, Practice Director, Global Applications Service Line
John Lane <mailto:John.Lane@oracle.com>, Practice Manager, Global Applications Service Line
8. Do I have to move to Multi-Org if consolidating multiple instances?
If you are consolidating multiple instances, and wish to maintain more than one Set of Books in a single, consolidated
instance, as well as partition application data by Operating Unit, you will need to use Multi-Org.
For more information on instance consolidation, please refer to the following Multi-Org white papers:
"Strategic Approaches for Consolidating Multiple Oracle Applications Instances"
"Strategic Planning for an Oracle Applications Instance Consolidation Project"
"The Advantages of Moving to Multi-Org"
9. What is new in Multi-Org for Release 11i?
Cross-Organization Reporting functionality was introduced in Release 11i. It provides the ability to report on critical
financial information at different levels of an enterprise.
Selected standard reports for various applications of the Oracle E-Business Suite have been enhanced to allow you to
report at the following levels:
Set of books
Legal entity
Operating unit
Two new parameters have been added to the reports that are enabled for Cross-Organization Reporting: Reporting Level
and Reporting Context.
Reporting Level: Allows users to choose the level at which they want to report. The valid options are Set of Books, Legal
Entity, and Operating Unit. The reporting level a user can choose is restricted by the setting of the profile option, "MO:
Top Reporting Level." By default, the value of this profile option is set to Operating Unit at the site level. Your system
administrator can set this profile option at the Responsibility level. To run reports across organizations, the profile option
value should be set to Legal Entity or Set of Books.
Reporting Context: Allows users to choose an entity within the reporting level that they have selected. Valid options are
Set of Books names, Legal Entity names, or Operating Unit names, depending on the value of the "MO: Top Reporting
Level" profile option.
The following is the list of currently available reports that have been enhanced with Cross-Organization Reporting
functionality:
Oracle Receivables
Aging - 4 Buckets Report
Aging - 7 Buckets Report
Aging - 7 Buckets - By Amount Report
Aging - 7 Buckets - By Account Report
Aging - 7 Buckets - By Collector Report
Aging - 7 Buckets - By Salesperson Report
Credit Hold Report Customer Credit Snapshot Payables
Oracle Payables
Trial Balance
Posted Invoice Register
Posted Payment Register
Payables Accounting Entries Report
Enterprise Tax
U.S. Sales Tax Report
Tax Reconciliation Report
Canadian GST/PST Tax Report
Tax Register
Use Tax Liability Report
Tax Audit Trail
Intra-EU VAT Audit Trail
Financial Tax Register
Oracle Financials Singaporean Localizations
Singaporean GST F5 Report
Oracle Financials Thai Localizations
Thai Payables Incomplete Tax Invoice Report
Thai Payment Delivery Report
Thai Input Tax Summary Report
Thai Output Tax Summary Report
Oracle Financials Taiwanese Localizations
Taiwanese Output VAT Report
Taiwanese Receivables Government Uniform Invoice Report
Taiwanese Receivables Zero-Rate Tax Report
Taiwanese Payables Sales/Purchase Return and Discount Certificate
Taiwanese Pro Forma 401 Report
Taiwanese Purchase Return and Discount Report
Taiwanese Sales Return and Discount Report
10. What does the future hold for Legal Entity organization types in Oracle's E-Business Suite?
In the future there will be additional functionality around the GRE/Legal Entity organization type. The legal entity is a key
component in current and future software development in the areas of accounting, reporting, intercompany accounting,
accounting sequence numbering, document sequence numbering, bank account definition, cross Operating Unit
transactions, and more.
11. How does the Business Group relate to Multi-Org?
The Business Group represents the highest level in the organization structures that can be modeled in the Oracle E-
Business Suite. The Business Group might represent the consolidated enterprise, a major division, or an operating
company. The organization type of Business Group partitions data for the Human Resources applications within the E-
Business Suite. Each application Responsibility maps to a specific Business Group. This means that you can only see
people and organizations that belong to the same Business Group associated with your application Responsibility.
All of your Sets of Books can share the same Business Group if they share the same Business Group attributes, including
HR flexfield structures.
For more information on Business Groups, please see the users guide, "Using Oracle HRMS - The Fundamentals (US)."
12. Can I have a different Chart of Accounts structure for each Operating Unit?
Each unique Chart of Accounts structure is associated with a unique Set of Books. Each Set of Books is then associated
with an Operating Unit during the organization setup. A Set of Books can be tied to one or many Operating Units. Thus,
each Operating Unit can be tied to a different Set of Books, each having a different Chart of Accounts structure.
13. How do I add a new Operating Unit?
The following steps, excerpted from Chapter 2 of the "Multiple Organizations in Oracle Applications" users guide,
explain how to add a new Operating Unit to your organizational structure.
Revise the Organization Structure. See: Develop the Organization Structure
Define Sets of Books (optional). See: Define Sets of Books
Define Locations: See: Define Locations
Define Organizations: See: Define Organizations
Define Relationships. See: Define Organization Relationships
Define Responsibilities. See: Define Responsibilities
Set Profile Options for Each Responsibility linked to the new Operating Unit. See: Set MO: Operating Unit Profile Option
Run the Replicate Seed Data concurrent program. See: Seed Data Replication
Set profile options specific to Operating Units. See: Set Profile Options Specific to Operating Units
Define Inventory Organization Security (optional). See: Define Inventory Organization Security
Implement the Application Products. See: Implement the Application Products
Secure Balancing Segment Values (optional). See: Secure Balancing Segment Values by Legal Entity
Run the Setup Validation Report (recommended). See: Run the Multi-Org Setup Validation Report
Implement Document Sequencing (optional). See: Implement Document Sequencing
Define Intercompany Relations (optional). See: Define Intercompany Relations
Set the top reporting level (optional). See: Set Top Reporting Level Profile Option
Set up conflict domains (optional). See: Set Up Conflict Domains
14. How does the Convert To Multi-Org process work?
The Convert to Multi-Org process is an option available from the Database Objects menu of the ADADMIN utility. The
Convert to Multi-Org process upgrades a standard product group into a Multi-Org product group. You can choose this
option only if you do not already have Multi-Org set up.
Before running the Convert to Multi-Org process,
Make sure that you are running the most recent version of AD by checking Metalink <http://metalink.oracle.com/> for
any AD patches and the list of patches listed in the "Release 11i Use of Multiple Organizations in Oracle Applications"
technical white paper
You must define at least one Operating Unit and set the site-level profile option, MO:Operating Unit, to that Operating
Units value.
The Convert to Multi-Org program then does the following:
Populates the ORG_ID column with the new operating unit value you defined at the site level profile option:
MO:Operating Unit.
Sets ORG_ID to NULL for records that are shared seed data.
Sets the MULTI_ORG_FLAG in the FND_PRODUCT_GROUPS table to Y.
If you define more than one Operating Unit, the replicate seed data process is run for all Operating Units.
The Convert to Multiple Organization Architecture is documented in Chapter 4 of the Multiple Organizations in Oracle
Applications User Guide (Part number A81174-02). Read this section and Chapter 2 of this user guide for complete
information on setting up and converting to Multi-Org.
Can I run the Convert to Multi-Org process more than once?
The conversion script can be run more than once. When the process has completed successfully, the Multi-Org conversion
option will disappear from ADADMIN and it cannot be run again from that point.
Will the conversion script prompt the user if it has already been run?
The conversion script will not display a prompt if it has completed successfully. If the conversion script has completed
successfully will no longer be available as an option from ADADMIN.
How long will the conversion take?
The conversion time is dependent on the volume of data. The Convert to Multi-Org process has recently undergone
performance tuning to take advantage of the more advanced features of the Oracle database. These enhancements deliver a
performance improvement of up to 54% over the previous version of the Convert to Multi-Org process. The enhancements
are available by downloading AD patch 2412194. The conversion time is dependent upon several factors including the
customers environment, volume of data, and hardware configuration.
What is the difference between setting up Multi-Org and converting to Multi-Org?
Setup is the process of defining your organizational structure. It includes defining the Operating Unit and Legal Entity.
See Chapter 2 of the Multiple Organizations in Oracle Applications User Guide for detailed information.
The Convert to Multi-Org process populates the ORG_ID column with the new Operating Unit value you define at the site
level profile option: MO:Operating Unit.
15. How do Rapid Install and the AD Administration utilities relate to Multi-Org?
Rapid Install is used to lay down the file system for a database and applications installation. You are not prompted for any
Multi-Org related information while using Rapid Install. However, the Vision demo database can be installed along with
your production and test database instances using Rapid Install. Vision is already Multi-Org enabled.
For more information, see the manual, "Installing Oracle Applications."
Once you have completed your initial installation tasks using Rapid Install, you then maintain database objects, i.e.
convert them to Multi-Org using the "Convert To Multi-Org" program embedded in the AD Administration utilities.
For more information, see the manual, "Maintaining Oracle Applications."
16. Where do I find collateral mentioned in this F.A.Q.?
The user's guides, "Multiple Organizations in Oracle Applications" for Release 11i, Release 11 and Release 10.7 can be
found in the following locations:
MetaLink <http://metalink.oracle.com/> or iSupport <http://gsi.oraclecorp.com/OA_HTML/ibulogin.jsp>: Navigate to
Top Tech Docs / E-Business Suite: ERP / Applications Core Technology / Multiple Organizations Architecture (Multi-Org)
/ Manuals and eTRMs / Release 11i, Release 11 or Release 10 / Architecture
AppsNet <http://www.oracle.com/appsnet>: Navigate to Products tab / Financials / User and Implementation Guides
The white paper, "Release 11i Multi-Org Today" can be found in the following locations:
AppsNet <http://www.oracle.com/appsnet>: Navigate to Products tab / Financials / White Papers / Release 11i Multi-Org
Today <http://www.oracle.com/appsnet/products/financials/collateral/wp_multiorg.pdf>
MetaLink <http://metalink.oracle.com/> or iSupport <http://gsi.oraclecorp.com/OA_HTML/ibulogin.jsp>: Navigate to
Top Tech Docs / E-Business Suite: ERP / Applications Core Technology / Multiple Organizations Architecture (Multi-Org)
/ Manuals and eTRMs / Release 11i / Architecture
The technical white paper, "Release 11i Use of Multiple Organizations in Oracle Applications" can be found in the
following location:
MetaLink <http://metalink.oracle.com/> or iSupport <http://gsi.oraclecorp.com/OA_HTML/ibulogin.jsp>: Navigate to
Top Tech Docs / E-Business Suite: ERP / Applications Core Technology / Multiple Organizations Architecture (Multi-Org)
/ Manuals and eTRMs / Release 11i / Architecture
The white paper, "Advantages of Moving to Multi-Org" can be found in the following locations:
AppsNet <http://www.oracle.com/appsnet>: Navigate to Technology tab / Upgrade / Planning your Upgrade / Multi-Org /
The Advantages of Moving to Multi-Org <http://oracle.com/appsnet/services/consulting/docs/movetomultiorg_wp.pdf>
MetaLink <http://metalink.oracle.com/> or iSupport <http://gsi.oraclecorp.com/OA_HTML/ibulogin.jsp>: Note 124264.1
The white paper, "Strategic Approaches to Consolidating Multiple Oracle Applications Instances" can be found in the
following location:
AppsNet <http://www.oracle.com/appsnet>: Navigate to Technology tab / Upgrade / Planning your Upgrade / Multi-Org /
Strategic Approaches to Consolidating Multiple Oracle Applications Instances
<http://oracle.com/appsnet/services/consulting/docs/consolidation_strategies.pdf>
The white paper, "Strategic Planning for an Oracle Applications Instance Consolidation Project" can be found in the
following location:
AppsNet <http://www.oracle.com/appsnet>: Navigate to Technology tab / Upgrade / Planning your Upgrade / Multi-Org /
Strategic Planning for an Oracle Applications Instance Consolidation Project
<http://oracle.com/appsnet/services/consulting/docs/consolidation_planning.pdf>
The white paper, "Supported Approaches for Migrating a Multiple Install Architecture (MSOBA) to Multi-Org and 11i"
can be found in the following locations:
AppsNet <http://www.oracle.com/appsnet>: Navigate to Technology tab / Upgrade / Planning your Upgrade / Multi-Org /
Supported Approaches for Migrating an Oracle Apps MSOBA to Multi-Org
<http://oracle.com/appsnet/technology/upgrade/planning/collateral/msoba_to_multiorg.pdf>
MetaLink <http://metalink.oracle.com/> or iSupport <http://gsi.oraclecorp.com/OA_HTML/ibulogin.jsp>: Note 146678.1
The manual, "Installing Oracle Applications" for Release 11i can be found in the following locations:
MetaLink <http://metalink.oracle.com/> or iSupport <http://gsi.oraclecorp.com/OA_HTML/ibulogin.jsp>: Navigate to
Top Tech Docs / E-Business Suite: ERP / Applications Core Technology / Applications Installation and Upgrade / Manuals
and eTRMs / Release 11i / General
The manual, "Maintaining Oracle Applications" for Release 11i can be found in the following locations:
MetaLink <http://metalink.oracle.com/> or iSupport <http://gsi.oraclecorp.com/OA_HTML/ibulogin.jsp>: Navigate to
Top Tech Docs / E-Business Suite: ERP / Applications Core Technology / Applications Installation and Upgrade / Manuals
and eTRMs / Release 11i / General
The user's guide, "Using Oracle HRMS The Fundamentals (US)" can be found in the following locations:
MetaLink <http://metalink.oracle.com/> or iSupport <http://gsi.oraclecorp.com/OA_HTML/ibulogin.jsp>: Navigate to
Top Tech Docs / E-Business Suite: ERP / Human Resource Management Systems / Human Resources / Documentation /
Release 11i Documentation / United States
AppsNet <http://www.oracle.com/appsnet>: Navigate to Products tab / Human Resources / User and Implementation
Guides / HRMS Documentation Set for the United States
The user's guide, "Oracle Process Manufacturing Implementation Guide" can be found in the following locations:
MetaLink <http://metalink.oracle.com/> or iSupport <http://gsi.oraclecorp.com/OA_HTML/ibulogin.jsp>: Navigate to
Top Tech Docs / E-Business Suite: ERP / Industry Solutions / Process Manufacturing / Documentation / Release 11i /
Product Documentation
AppsNet <http://www.oracle.com/appsnet>: Navigate to Products tab / Manufacturing / User and Implementation
Guides / Process Manufacturing
The white paper, "Problems Running R11i in Multiple Sets of Books Architecture" can be found in the following locations:
MetaLink <http://metalink.oracle.com/> or iSupport <http://gsi.oraclecorp.com/OA_HTML/ibulogin.jsp>: Note 124262.1