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Replies: 15 - Pages: 2 [ 1 2 | Next ] - Last Post: Feb 11, 2010 6:45 AM Last Post By: user9136716

myaserk AME for iProcurement requisitions     Reply

Posted: Aug 16, 2009 6:23 AM
Posts: 15 Hi,
Registered: 01/18/06
I'm new in Oracle AME.
I need your help to provide me with simple steps to setup AME for iProcurement
requisitions to be just like the standard position hierarchy like (Buyer--> manager
-->director).
What are the actions should I use?
Absolute job level or HR position or what?
Did I need to create Approver Groups or not?

Thanks,
Yasser

Ganeshbabu Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions Helpful   Reply

Gnan... Posted: Aug 16, 2009 8:17 AM   in response to:
myaserk
Posts: 212
Registered: 07/17/07 Refer to metalink Note: 434143.1

Post iProc related to Questions under the Procurement section instead of Financials..

Cheers
Ganesh

Supro Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions Helpf Repl

Posted: Aug 16, 2009 8:22 AM   in response to: myaserk  
ul y
Posts: 106
Registered: 07/04/08 Hi Yasser,
your post does not specify whether you are in 11.5.10 or R12. In 11.5.10 there are 2 different
versions of AME, AME.A and AME.B. The main difference between 2 versions is how you assign
responsibilities to user. AME responsibilities in 11i.AME.A are assigned directly to the users.
However, In R12 or 11i.AME.B and higher, AME responsibilities are assigned indirectly to users
through roles. The roles are assigned to the users by the SYSADMIN user using the User
Management responsibility, and if you are using AME.B or higher then initially you have to take
help from SYSADMIN to assign the responsibilities to users/ your ID for before you can start
AME setups.

For further details you can refer to following MOS (Metalink) notes.
1st note (ID 293315.1) is an FAQ where you can find answers to your question.
The 2nd (ID 434143.1) contains a White Paper giving details of AME setups for Purchase
Requisitions.

293315.1 : 11.5.10 FAQ for Approvals Management (AME) Integration For iProcurement and
Purchasing
434143.1 : How To Setup And Use AME For Purchase Requisition Approvals
559886.1 : How To Find Versions And Enhancements, And Find The Right Documentation for
AME In Procurement

You can also check this thread.

 http://forums.oracle.com/forums/thread.jspa?messageID=3603845&#3603845

Hope this helps.

Thanks
Supro

myaserk Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions     Reply

Posted: Aug 16, 2009 10:22 PM   in response to: Supro
Posts: 15 Hi Supro,
Registered: 01/18/06
First of all Thanks reply.
My Oracle Apps Release is 11.5.10 CU2 and AME.B.
I already checked all that notes but I need simple steps to create Position hierarchy usin
g the AME.
For example:
I have the following positions: Buyer ==> AP Accountant ==> Supervisor ==> Director
==> CEO
What action types should I use?
Should I use the conditions?
Is Approval Group required for each position?
How to link between the approval group and action?

Best Regards,
Yasser

Edited by: myaserk on Aug 16, 2009 10:31 PM

Supro Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions Helpful   Reply

Posted: Aug 17, 2009 3:14 PM   in response to:
Posts: 106 myaserk
Registered: 07/04/08 I already checked all that notes but I need simple steps to create Position hierarchy usin
g the AME.
For example:
I have the following positions: Buyer ==> AP Accountant ==> Supervisor ==> Director
==> CEO

You can use Position hierarchy in AME provided you have already defined it in HRMS
(full) or Purchasing (shared HR) and have jobs and employees assigned to positions. You
can create a position hierarchy using the structure you have provided and can use that
while defining the approval group using action types "hr position" (chain ends with an
approver having a fixed position) OR "hr position level" (chain contains a fixed number of
positions). This will require positions and jobs to be defined with eomloyees assigned
and then creating the hierarchy. I'll not sure if you are using that at this moment. Also
there can be multiple incumbents for "positions" like AP Accountant, Supervisor etc
based on your organization size and structure.

If you are not using position hierarchy in HRMS/ Purchasing as described above then,
alternatively if you have single employee linked to each of the "positions" (in that sense
if your are not using position hierarchy) and use same hierarchy for all your PR approvals
then you can use the following approaches to have similar result:
- Define an approval group with Chain of Authority action type. Voting Regime = 'Serial'.
Use static option (Active List) to include the approvers and order them using group
member's Order Number and type 'Unique', based on the structure you have given. You
can use "HR People" for approver type or FND Users. Here you can use the action type
"chain of authority includes an approval group" for list-creation rule type.
 - Define separate approval group for each "position" in your structure and include
respective approver(s) using static or dynamic method (using query / function call). Thus
for the structure given you'll have 5 approval groups. Here also you can use "HR People"
for approver type or FND Users. Here you can use the action type "chain of authority
includes an approval group" for list-creation rule type.

Now these approval groups need to be included in Rule(s) that you define and any
associated condition based on your business requirement.

- Using another approach you can define Jobs and assign employees to these jobs.
Additionally you can populate supervisors for each employee. This has to be properly
maintained when there are changes in reporting hierarchy. Populate "Approval Authority"
field in job definition if you want to use "chains of authority based on absolute job level"
action type for this one. If employee-supervisor data is maintained then you can also use
"chains of authority based on number of supervisory levels" action type.

What action types should I use?

Possible action types for you.

"chain of authority includes an approval group" >> if you are using approval group

"chains of authority based on absolute job level" >> can go upto 10 job levels. You need
to populate "Approval Authority" field in job definition for all jobs to be used here.

"chains of authority based on number of supervisory levels" >> can go upto 10

supervisor levels provided you are maintaing employee-supervisor link.

Should I use the conditions?

Based on how your approval rules work in real life. e.g. it may the case that Supervisor
can approve upto $10,000 with no additional approval; Director can approver upto
$100,000 with no addiitonal approval and anyhting beyond $100,000 goes to CEO for
approval after getting approved from all the approvers in that chain.

If your approval rules work this way then you need to setup conditions. Any rule setup
without a conditions is true for all the transaction for that transaction type.

Is Approval Group required for each position?

If you are using HR Positions in AME then it will work based on position hierarchy
defined, based on transaction requestor's position, the position hierarchy s/he belongs to
and whether action type is "hr posiiton" (a particular position as end of chain) or "hr
position level" (position level, say upto first 7 positions up... can go upto 10).

How to link between the approval group and action?

If you are using an approval group and defining rules then based on rule type selection
you'll be able to use approval group for "chain of authority includes an approval group"
action type. These rule types include list-creation, pre-list approval-group, post-list
approval-group, combination etc.

Hope this helps.

Thanks
Supro

myaserk Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions   Repl

Posted: Aug 18, 2009 8:17 AM   in response to: Supro  
y
Posts: 15
Registered: 01/18/06 Thanks for the helpful information.
I created static Approver Groups assigned to specific positions, then I created Action Type HR
 position (Chains of authority based on a particular HR position), and I included the new
Approval groups to it.
Also I created new condition (REQUISITION_TOTAL is greater than 0,USD).
Then I created new role with type (Combination: List Creation), and I added the condition and
the action to that role.

I did test the role and everything is OK.

but when submitting new REQ, error appered in the WF:

Error Message ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error: character string buffer too small
ORA-06512: at "APPS.PO_REQAPPROVAL_INIT1", line 7823 ORA-06512: at
"APPS.POR_AME_APPROVAL_LIST_WF1S", line 467 ORA-20001: Oracle Approvals
Management has found parallelization configuration details. The context in which ame_api has
been invoked does not support parallelization.

Error Stack POR_AME_APPROVAL_LIST_WF1S.Get_Next_Approver(Get_Next_Approver: 002-

50328-REQUISITION-PURCHASE, ORA-20001: Oracle Approvals Management has found
parallelization configuration details. The context in which ame_api has been invoked does not
support parallelization.)
Wf_Engine_Util.Function_Call(POR_AME_APPROVAL_LIST_WF1S.GET_NEXT_APPROVER,
REQAPPRV, 50328-155420, 125054, RUN)

Please your kindly help,

Best Regards,
Yasser

Supro Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions Helpful   Reply

Posted: Aug 18, 2009 9:56 AM   in response to:
Posts: 106 myaserk
Registered: 07/04/08 I created static Approver Groups assigned to specific positions, then I created Action Type
HR position (Chains of authority based on a particular HR position), and I included the new
Approval groups to it.
Also I created new condition (REQUISITION_TOTAL is greater than 0,USD).
Then I created new role with type (Combination: List Creation), and I added the condition
and the action to that role.

I did test the role and everything is OK.

Based on your post above what I understand is that:

- You have created an approval group with static approver(s) assigned to it
- You have also created rule(s) with rule type Combination: List Creation and using the
action type as "Chains of authority based on a particular HR position" (based on particular
HR position). Although it is not clear from the post whether you have HR positions defined
in HRMS (Full) / Purchasing (shared HR). You may perform setup based on HR position
action type etc without having actual positions defined and Jobs & employees assigned to
it. It won't create problem during setup as it is validated during runtime based on
requestor's assignment.

Also I need to understand how you are using the combination list-creation rule, is it for
"combining multiple
list-creation, pre-chain, and/or post-chain actions" OR for "combining multiple list-
modification and/or substitution actions".
 You need to understand that, you cannot use static approvers through approval groups and
auto generated approvers say for HR position or Job etc together where parallelization is
not supported. Currently AME for PRs doesn't support parallelization of approvers.
Actually what is happenig here is that, AME is trying to "insert" the static approver based
on your approval group between auto generated approvers as per "Chains of authority
based on a particular HR position". Thus it is instructing AME to process those 2 separate
type of approvers in parallel and hence it is raising parallelization error. Use only one
method for generating your approver list.

Thanks
Supro

myaserk Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions     Reply

Posted: Aug 19, 2009 12:27 AM   in response to: Supro
Posts: 15 Hi,
Registered: 01/18/06
Thanks for the continues help.
I have HR positions and Jobs defined and assigned to employees in HRMS (Full).

To solve the parallelization issue:

- I have created an approval group with static positions assigned to it
- I have also created rule with rule type “List Creation” and using the action type as
"chain of authority includes an approval group" (based on the approval groups).
Is this should solve the parallelization issue?
Anyway I still receive the same error message!
Please your kindly help.

Best Regards,
Yasser

myaserk Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions     Reply

Posted: Aug 20, 2009 4:29 AM   in response to: myaserk
Posts: 15 Please any body can help?
Registered: 01/18/06

Supro Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions   Reply

Posted: Aug 21, 2009 6:14 PM   in response to: Correct

Posts: 106 myaserk

Registered: 07/04/08 You need to debug the issue using some checks and trying different options.

1. Please check whether Configuration Variable "allowFyiNotifications" is set to 'Yes'. If

set to Yes then set it to No. AME does not support this for iProcurement.

2. Check the voting regime of the approver groups which are having the issue are set to
'Serial'.

Groups Tab -> Select the appropriate Approval Group -> Voting Regime -> Set to 'Serial'

3. Check the order number for the approval groups / approvers withing the approval
group have unique order number
i.e.
For 1st Approval Group, Order Number = 1
For 2nd Approval Group, Order Number = 2 etc
There should not be same order number for 2 groups, if there are multiple approval
groups

For Approvers (members) within the approval group

For 1st Approver, Order Number = 1
 For 2nd Approver, Order Number = 2 etc
There should not be same order number for 2 approvers

If you find any issue as mentioned in point 1-3 then correct that and test. Otherwise you
can follow these Metalink Notes for debugging. These tests will required backend access
for running queries ...may be in some cases APPS.

Doc ID: 428552.1 >> How To Diagnose Issues With Approvals Management Engine
(AME) In Procurement
Doc ID: 338508.1 >> Error "Oracle Approvals Management has found parallelization
configuration..."

Otherwise for testing purpose try to set it up in a different way to identify the problem
and to confirm if any patch is needed.

- I have created an approval group with static positions assigned to it

4. For testing purpose, can you define 1 approval group for each position and then
assign the respective position to the corresponding group. i.e. 1 group for Buyer and
assign Buyer position; group order number unique & 1.
1 group for say Accountant and assign Accountant position; group order number unique
& 2 etc upto CEO position. I think you have total 5.
Define a rule and assign include all groups.
Test the approval process.

5. Since you have defined the positions and assigned jobs & employees try setting it up
in a different way and test.
Do not use approval group in this case. In the rule use action type "chains of authority
based on a particular HR position". Before you can use this go to Actions tab and for "hr
position" action type add an action and specify the CEO's position (Requires Approval
upto).
If not already defined, you might have define the usage for following mandatory
attributes required for "hr position" action type for "Purchase Requisition Approval"
transaction type. Attributes tab >> Add Attribute >> Pick from LOV >> "Use Selected
Name" button >> Continue.
Also set the values of these mandatory attributes for this action type. Check AME
implementation guide for details.

NON_DEFAULT_POSITION_STRUCTURE_ID
NON_DEFAULT_STARTING_POINT_POSITION_ID
TRANSACTION_REQUESTOR_POSITION_ID

Now setup a rule and select "chains of authority based on a particular HR position". It
you ask you to select the action previously defined under "hr position" action type.
Complete the setups and test.

Thanks
Supro

myaserk Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions     Reply

Posted: Aug 23, 2009 2:26 AM   in response to: Supro
Posts: 15 Hi Supro,
Registered: 01/18/06
Thanks for support. The problem solved.
The problem was in the AME setup for this transaction type. I checked the Note
338508.1 - Error "Oracle Approvals Management has found parallelization
configuration..."
- This note contains a script (checkAME11510Setup.sql) which can be used to validate
 AME setups also.

The scripts in that note solve the parallelization problem.

Thanks and best regards,

Yassere

Edited by: myaserk on 23/08/2009 02:27 ‫ص‬

Supro Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions     Reply

Posted: Aug 23, 2009 5:32 AM   in response to: myaserk
Posts: 106 Hi Yassere,
Registered: 07/04/08 good to hear that your issue is resolved now.
I would request you to share the information regarding exactly which AME setup issue
was causing the problem, so that other members get benefitted from your experience.

Best of luck for your AME journey.

Regards,
Supro

user467868 Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions     Reply

Posted: Sep 8, 2009 2:34 AM   in response to: Supro
Posts: 12 Hi Supro,
Registered: 11/22/05
My company is trying to make use of AME in Purchase requisitions. Here we use Position
hierarchy and approval groups in core applications in 11i. But position hierarchy is not
supported on AME by Oracle in 11.5.10.2.

Which is the closest action type that can be used instead of HR positions? Is it possible
to make use of these position hierachies in any way in the new action type? As it allows
business users to continue maintaining position hierarchies in core apps.

Another question is, how to setup an ability to change first default approver while
submitting requisitions for approval AFTER the pre-chain-of-authority approvals.

Thanks in Advance
Chetan

user11903148 Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions     Reply

Posted: Sep 18, 2009 12:11 AM   in response to: Supro
Posts: 21 Hi Supro
Registered: 09/15/09
i've been going through the suugestion you came up with here and thanks,i'm also
impementing AME and i get a problem with my solution,if you can assist, please it will be
much appretiated

scenario below:

Action Type:
NAME: Hr Possition, then i created the possitions as set up in HR and on the possition
hirerarchy (i.e. 02.manager)

Conditions:
Condition Type: Ordinary
Attribute: PO_COST_CENTER
Data Type: String
Item Class: Line Item
 String Value : Cost Center Number (i.e. 20050)
AND;
REQUISITION_TOTAL is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 20000,ZAR

Rule:
Action Type:hr possition
Action:Requires approval up to HR Positions:02.Manager

I've set up the document type in Purchasing appropriately

(i.e.
Approval Workflow: Requisition
Workflow Start Process: Main Requisition Approval
Approval Transaction Type: PURCHASE_REQ
Forward Method: Hierarchy
Default Hierarchy: Requisition Hierarchy
Security Level: Purchasing;

when i create a requisition it doesn't go to (02.Manager),it goes to just another manager

on the hierarchy and for some users i get a workflow error(Set Ame Attibutes)

can someone please assist,this is rather agent.

thanks in advance

user12198992 Re: AME for iProcurement requisitions     Reply

Posted: Nov 24, 2009 9:27 PM   in response to: user11903148
Posts: 3
Registered: 11/24/09