A catalog organization represents an organization level
in the organization hierarchy at which an item master is defined.
A catalog organization provides any of the following
functions:
- Item master definition. Even in a multi-level organizational
structure, an item master is typically defined at a very high level
in the hierarchy. This allows all other organizations to share one
common item master definition, eliminating the need to create a separate
definition of their own.
- A mechanism to separate item master definitions
of two distinct organizations. For example, a 3PL scenario and companies
under the business group acquired through a merger and acquisition.
The same product identifiers could represent completely separate physical
products across two catalog organizations.
- A mechanism to cross-reference product identifiers
through usage of Global Trade Identification Numbers (GTIN).
Catalog organizations can have one or more catalogs
(such as master catalogs). However, an item can be defined in only
one master catalog. A master catalog represents a product line in
most scenarios. In organizations where divisions are created based
solely on product, a master catalog could represent a division.
Typically the Catalog organization is designated
at the company level.