User Definable Key Flexfields
In Oracle HRMS there are six user definable key flexfields, for each of which you can define up to 30 segments:
The Personal Analysis key flexfield is different from the others. You can set up an unlimited number of structures for this flexfield. Each separate structure can have up to 30 segments.
How the Key Flexfields Are Used
Oracle HRMS uses key flexfields in a number of distinct ways:
Unique Identifiers
The Job, Position, and Grade Name flexfields let you create a unique name, which is a combination of separate components or segments. You use these flexfields when you are defining the work structures that exist in your enterprise.
Suggestion: When you are defining your requirements for these key flexfields you should consider the following points.
The task of defining the segment combinations is normally restricted to one or two users only. Therefore, you may not need to use value sets, or cross validation rule options to control the values that can be entered.
The names that users see are made up of a combination of segment values. The segment values are displayed, not the meanings.
Avoid segments containing information that may change regularly. There is no history of changes to the combinations you create. For example, do not define minimum and maximum values for grades as segments of the Grade flexfield.
Analysis Information
The People Group and Personal Analysis flexfields let you add key information to records of employee assignments and people. You can use the individual segments of these flexfields to identify or report on specific groups of people.
Payroll Costing
The Cost Allocation key flexfield is used to collect and to accumulate costs associated with running a payroll.
The key flexfields are central to Oracle HRMS, therefore you must create certain definitions before you can set up your Business Group.
- You can only define one structure per Business Group for each of these flexfields.
- You can define up to 30 segments within the structure.
- Use of these flexfields is optional, but almost all Oracle HRMS installations use job and grade. Positions are used most often in large, highly structured enterprises, such as those in the areas of government, education, and health care.
- You must define a structure name for these three flexfields before you can define a Business Group.
- You associate these structures with a Business Group in the Business Group Information window, which opens from the Organization window.
- You can only define one structure per Business Group for this flexfield.
- You can define up to 30 segments within the structure.
- You do not create separate combinations of segments for the People Group flexfield. You enter values for each employee as part of the employee assignment.
- You must define a structure name for this flexfield before you can define a Business Group.
- You must define at least one segment for the People Group flexfield in order to be able to use the Assignment window.
- You can create any number of structures per Business Group for this flexfield. Each one represents a Special Information Type.
- You can define up to 30 segments within each structure.
- You do not need to define any structures for the Personal Analysis flexfield before you can use Oracle HRMS.
- You link each structure to a Business Group in the Special Information Types window while you are logged on to that Business Group.
- You can customize windows to restrict access to specific Information Types, such as medical or disciplinary information.
- You can only define one structure per Business Group for this flexfield.
- You can define up to 30 segments within the structure.
- You can control the levels at which users can enter cost information by using the flexfield qualifiers.
- You must define a structure name for this flexfield before you can define a Business Group.
- A number of windows in Oracle HRMS check for the existence of a valid flexfield structure for Cost Allocation. You must define at least one segment for your Cost Allocation flexfield.
The Create Key Flexfield DB Items process turns data in key flexfields into database items that Oracle FastFormula can access. It is essential to run this process whenever you create or change the Grade, Job, Position, or People Group key flexfield definitions. Submit the process from the Submit Requests window.
See Also
Oracle Applications Flexfields Guide
