Migrating data into Oracle EBS is often the most underestimated part of any ERP project. From my experience, a disciplined approach cuts early errors and saves weeks of rework:
- Start with a Subset: Instead of loading every SKU or supplier record at once, I pick the top 50–100 busiest items and test their import in a development instance. By validating on-hand balances, cost attributes and category assignments for a small batch, I catch mapping issues before they snowball.
- Use Interface Tables: Oracle EBS provides standard interface (staging) tables for master data—items, suppliers, categories and more. I always load into those staging tables first, then run validation reports. Only when the staging data clears all checks do I push it into the core application tables. It avoids the risk of partial or corrupted imports.
- Automate with SQL Loader: Manual entry is prone to typos. I create a simple SQL Loader control file that imports CSVs into the appropriate interface tables. That reduces the load time from hours to minutes, and it’s repeatable whenever we refresh sandbox data or make corrections.
- Maintain Mapping Documentation: Legacy codes rarely align perfectly with EBS flexfields. I keep a living spreadsheet—“Old Code → EBS Flexfield Value” —for everything from item categories to department codes. Whenever someone asks why a reference changed in the new system, I point them back to that single source.
These steps have consistently reduced our initial load errors by over 70%. By catching inconsistencies early—in a safe environment—we minimise surprises during cut-over and ensure the EBS pilot data accurately reflects operational reality.