Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing

What is Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing

Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing (SCM) is a complete suite of cloud-based applications designed to manage and optimize all aspects of a company's supply chain. It is a core component of the Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications. The main purpose of the platform is to provide businesses with a unified view and control over their entire supply chain, from initial planning and procurement to manufacturing and logistics. This helps organizations to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and become more responsive to market changes. Oracle, the company behind the software, is a global technology corporation founded in 1977. It is one of the largest software companies in the world, with its headquarters in Austin, Texas, USA. Oracle SCM is built for medium to large enterprises that manage complex global supply chains.

Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing Features

Oracle SCM offers a wide range of features that cover the end-to-end supply chain process.

• Supply Chain Planning: Intelligently plan demand, supply, and order fulfillment. This helps to balance supply and demand, increase service levels, and minimize costs.
• Inventory Management: Optimize inventory levels across the entire network. Gain full visibility of stock to reduce carrying costs and avoid stockouts.
• Manufacturing: Manage mixed-mode manufacturing processes, including discrete, process, and project-based manufacturing. The system helps streamline shop floor operations and control quality.
• Maintenance: A smart maintenance management solution to increase asset reliability and uptime. It helps in planning and executing maintenance tasks efficiently.
• Order Management: Handle omnichannel order fulfillment. The system provides visibility across all channels to execute orders quickly and improve customer satisfaction.
• Logistics: Manage transportation and global trade. This feature helps to minimize logistics costs and adapt to disruptions in the supply chain.
• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): Accelerate product innovation and commercialization. It connects the supply chain to harmonize product data from idea to launch.
• Procurement: Streamline the source-to-pay process. It helps manage suppliers, enforce compliant spending, and improve profitability through better sourcing.
• Supply Chain Analytics: Use prebuilt analytics and machine learning to gain insights into supply chain performance. This helps identify opportunities for improvement and resolve issues faster.

Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing Pricing Plans

Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing does not offer standard public pricing plans. The pricing is customized based on the specific needs of each business. The cost depends on several factors, including:

• Modules Selected: Companies choose the specific SCM modules they need (e.g., Planning, Manufacturing, Logistics).
• Number of Users: The price is often calculated per user, with different types of users having different costs.
• Business Size and Usage: The scale of operations, such as the volume of transactions or number of facilities, can influence the price.

Potential customers must contact the Oracle sales team to get a detailed quote tailored to their requirements. The solution is designed for enterprises and is a significant investment.

Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing Free Plan

Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing does not have a free plan. Given its complexity and enterprise focus, a free version is not practical. However, Oracle offers other ways for potential customers to experience the software before buying. This includes personalized live demos where Oracle experts show how the platform can solve specific business challenges. In some cases, a guided free trial or a proof-of-concept project may be arranged through the sales process.

How to use Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing

Getting started with Oracle SCM is a structured process that involves implementation and training.

1. Consultation and Scoping: The first step is to work with Oracle or a certified partner to define business needs and determine which SCM modules are required.
2. Implementation: This is a major project that includes configuring the system, migrating data from old systems, and integrating Oracle SCM with other business software like ERP or CRM.
3. User Training: Teams receive training on the modules relevant to their roles. For example, the procurement team learns to use the Procurement module for sourcing and supplier management.
4. Go-Live: After testing, the system goes live. Daily operations are now managed within the Oracle SCM platform.
5. Ongoing Operations: A logistics manager might use the Transportation Management module to plan shipments. A production manager uses the Manufacturing module to schedule and monitor production orders. Executives use the Analytics dashboards to review overall supply chain performance and make strategic decisions.

Pros and Cons of Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing

Pros

• Comprehensive Suite: It offers a complete, end-to-end solution that covers all aspects of supply chain management.
• Highly Integrated: Natively integrates with other Oracle Cloud applications like ERP, HCM, and CX for a unified business platform.
• Advanced Technology: Uses AI, machine learning, and IoT to provide intelligent insights and automation.
• Scalability: Built for large, global enterprises with complex supply chains, it can handle massive volumes of data and transactions.
• Strong Analytics: Powerful reporting and analytics capabilities provide deep visibility into supply chain performance.

Cons

• High Cost: The software license, implementation, and maintenance costs are very high, making it unsuitable for small businesses.
• Complexity: The system is very powerful but also complex to implement and use. It requires significant training and expertise.
• Long Implementation Time: Deploying the full suite can be a long and resource-intensive process.
• Less Flexibility for SMEs: The platform may be too rigid and feature-heavy for smaller or medium-sized enterprises with simpler needs.

Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing Integrations

Oracle SCM is designed for deep integration. It connects seamlessly with other Oracle Fusion Cloud applications, creating a single source of truth for the entire business.

• Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP: For financial management, accounting, and project management.
• Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM: For human resources and workforce management.
• Oracle Fusion Cloud CX: For customer relationship management, sales, and service.

Beyond the Oracle ecosystem, it provides robust integration capabilities using APIs and standard connectors to link with third-party systems, including:

• Other ERP Systems: Such as SAP, for businesses running a multi-system environment.
• Logistics Providers: To exchange shipping information with carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL.
• Supplier Portals: For electronic data interchange (EDI) with suppliers for orders and invoices.
• Salesforce: To connect sales orders and customer data with supply chain fulfillment processes.

Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing Alternatives

• SAP S/4HANA Supply Chain: A direct competitor offering a comprehensive, integrated suite for large enterprises. It is deeply integrated into the SAP ecosystem, which is a key differentiator for companies already using SAP products.
• Infor CloudSuite SCM: A strong alternative known for its industry-specific functionality, particularly in manufacturing, distribution, and retail. It often requires less customization for businesses in these sectors.
• Blue Yonder: A leading best-of-breed solution focused on supply chain planning, retail, and logistics. Its key differentiator is its advanced planning and optimization algorithms.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management: A powerful solution that is part of the Microsoft business applications ecosystem. It is a strong choice for companies heavily invested in Microsoft technology, offering seamless integration with Office 365 and Power BI.

Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing API

Yes, Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing provides extensive API access. As part of the Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications suite, it offers a wide range of REST APIs that allow developers to integrate SCM functionalities with other applications and systems. These APIs cover various modules, including inventory, order management, procurement, and manufacturing.

To use the APIs, developers need an active Oracle Cloud subscription. Authentication is typically handled using the OAuth 2.0 protocol to ensure secure access. API keys and credentials are managed within the Oracle Cloud console. Detailed documentation for all APIs is available on the Oracle Help Center and the Oracle Developer portal.

An example of a REST API call to get inventory item information might look like this:

GET /fscmRestApi/resources/latest/inventoryItems
Host: {your-oracle-cloud-instance-url}
Authorization: Bearer {your_access_token}
Content-Type: application/vnd.oracle.adf.resourceitem+json

Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing Affiliate Program

Oracle does not have a traditional affiliate program where individuals can earn commissions for simple referrals. Instead, it operates the Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN). This is a comprehensive partner program designed for companies that build, sell, or service Oracle solutions.

Partners can be consultants, resellers, system integrators, or independent software vendors (ISVs). Benefits of joining the OPN include access to training, technical resources, marketing support, and financial incentives based on performance. The program is structured in tiers, and partners advance based on their expertise and contribution to the Oracle ecosystem. Companies interested in partnering with Oracle should visit the Oracle PartnerNetwork website to learn about the requirements and application process.