Zebra builds a more responsive supply chain with Oracle

Technology company uses Oracle Cloud to connect supply chain processes, automate scheduling, and improve forecast accuracy by almost 100%.

United States | High Technology

“We found Oracle’s capabilities to be stronger than others, and getting them all in one ecosystem really helped us.”

Paritesh SharmaSENIOR DIRECTOR OF IT, ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES

About Zebra Technologies

Founded in 1969, Zebra Technologies provides industry-tailored products and services that connect people, assets, and data. Its technology works across industries, from printers and scanners to NFL on-field player tracking and hospital ID wristbands.

Business problem: Manual planning limited delivery visibility

After years of acquisitions and system consolidation, Zebra grew revenue to US$5.6 billion. A 2014 acquisition doubled the company’s size, adding complexity to its supply chain operations.

When the pandemic disrupted global supply chains in 2020, Zebra faced added pressure from tariffs, geopolitical decisions, and high demand for its products, especially in healthcare. Existing systems managed different parts of the supply chain, including inventory optimization, service planning, and hardware, but manual scheduling and planning made it harder to adapt to demand and give customers reliable delivery information.

Solution and results: Automated scheduling saves 18,000 hours a year

As an Oracle E-Business Suite customer, Zebra was familiar with Oracle technology. The company selected Oracle Fusion Cloud Supply Chain Planning, part of Oracle Fusion Cloud Supply Chain and Manufacturing, to bring planning capabilities into one ecosystem and add tools for more precise planning.

Supply chain tasks that were once manual, including scheduling, rescheduling, and planning, are now automated. Backlog management automatically schedules orders based on business rules, saving 18,000 hours annually that teams can direct to other projects and initiatives.

Since implementing Oracle Cloud, Zebra has improved forecast accuracy by almost 100%. Better forecasts help the company give customers more specific product delivery dates and improve its ability to meet those commitments.

Zebra also connected its transportation management system with its planning tool, saving nearly US$2 million in freight costs. In its service parts business, Zebra can now plan for alternates and use yield-based planning, helping improve customer satisfaction scores.