🔧 Extending Oracle SaaS: A Deep Dive into Custom Objects & Visual Builder in Oracle Fusion

As businesses evolve, the need to customize Oracle Fusion Applications—without disrupting standard upgrades—is more essential than ever. Fortunately, Oracle provides a powerful set of tools to achieve this: Custom Objects via Application Composer, and Oracle Visual Builder for low-code UI extensions.

In this post, we'll explore:

• What are Custom Objects in Oracle Fusion?

• How to create them using Application Composer

• Server-side scripting with Groovy

• Design limitations and best practices

• Extending SaaS with Visual Builder

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📌 What are Custom Objects in Oracle Fusion?

Custom Objects are user-defined data entities that can be added to Oracle Fusion SaaS applications such as ERP, HCM, or CX. They allow you to:

• Store business-specific data

• Model custom workflows and entities

• Build relationships with standard or other custom objects

• Create upgrade-safe, secure, and scalable extensions

Custom Objects are fully supported by the platform and can be used in user interfaces, workflows, security configurations, and REST APIs.

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🛠️ Creating Custom Objects using Application Composer

Oracle’s Application Composer is a built-in design tool for defining custom metadata and logic.

🔹 Steps to Create a Custom Object

1. Navigate to Application Composer

   • From Oracle Fusion: go to Navigator → Tools → Application Composer

2. Select Application Area
   Choose the appropriate functional area (Sales, CRM, or Custom Application).

3. Create a New Custom Object

   • Click “Create Custom Object”

   • Define singular and plural names

   • Choose whether it’s a top-level or child object

4. Add Fields
   Supported types include:

   • Text, Number, Date/Time

   • Picklists (static/dynamic)

   • Long Text, Boolean, Email, URL, and more

5. Define Relationships

   • One-to-Many or Many-to-Many with standard or custom objects

6. Configure Pages and Layouts

   • Control Create/Edit/View layouts

   • Assign fields and sections for user-friendly views

7. Set Role-Based Access

   • Define user access for create/read/update/delete operations

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⚙️ Server Scripts (Groovy)

Custom Objects support Groovy server-side scripts to control behavior and automate business logic.

🔹 Where Can You Use Scripts?

• Object-level Triggers: Before/After Insert, Update, Delete

• Field-level Triggers: Logic when specific fields are changed

• Validation Rules: Enforce business conditions

🔹 Example: Set Default Status

groovyCopyEditif (isAttributeChanged('Status') && Status == null) {
    Status = 'Pending'
}

Scripts can:

• Auto-populate fields

• Trigger validations

• Implement business rules without external integration

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🚫 Limitations and Best Practices

While Custom Objects are flexible, there are important limits and best practices to follow:

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🌐 Extending SaaS with Oracle Visual Builder

Once your custom object is created, you can build responsive, low-code apps using Oracle Visual Builder (VB).

🔹 What is Visual Builder?

A browser-based low-code platform that lets you build:

• Web apps

• Mobile apps

• Embedded SaaS extensions

It supports REST-based integration, form creation, data display, role-based access, and custom business logic.

🔹 Use Case: Custom Workflow App

Let’s say you’ve created a Project_Issues__c custom object to track internal issues. Now, build a Visual Builder app to:

• Display issue records

• Allow users to create/update them

• Trigger notifications or escalations

• Embed directly into ERP dashboard via Oracle Page Composer

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🔗 How to Integrate Visual Builder with Custom Objects

1. Expose Your Object via REST

   • Enable object sharing or integration through RESTful APIs

2. Open Visual Builder Studio

   • Create a new app or workspace

3. Connect to REST Service

   • Use VB’s service connection wizard to connect to your object’s REST endpoint

4. Design UI

   • Use drag-and-drop components to create forms, tables, and charts

5. Configure Logic

   • Use visual flows or JavaScript to implement custom behavior

6. Deploy & Embed

   • Deploy your app to Oracle Cloud

   • Use Page Composer or Deep Linking to embed within Fusion SaaS

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✅ Real-Life Use Case Example

Problem: HR wants to manage employee recognitions within Oracle HCM, but there’s no built-in module.
Solution:

• Create a Recognition__c custom object

• Add fields: Employee Name, Award Type, Date, Notes

• Add scripts: Auto-set award date if empty

• Build a VB App: List recognitions, filter by employee, allow HR to add/edit

• Embed in HCM under Employee Self-Service

Result? A fully integrated, modern feature — without compromising SaaS upgradeability.

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🎯 Final Thoughts

Custom Objects in Oracle Fusion give you the power to extend core functionality securely and scalably. When combined with Oracle Visual Builder, you can:

✅ Deliver rich user experiences
✅ Model complex business processes
✅ Integrate seamlessly with Oracle SaaS
✅ Innovate without disrupting future upgrades

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