Manufacturing outsourcing has become a global phenomenon as more and more companies continue to join the bandwagon. Lowering costs, servicing local markets, reducing order cycle times, focusing on core competencies and more importantly, maximizing return on investment have been some of the compelling reasons why companies have adopted this collaborative approach as a strategic alternative to in-house manufacturing. Despite such compelling benefits, companies continue to face several challenges in managing processes that span beyond the four walls of their factories. To derive the real benefits of outsourcing, companies must deploy appropriate IT systems to deal with these challenges.

This paper discusses how Oracle Applications can help businesses respond to these challenges and significantly improve overall competitiveness