First Solar goes global, connects supply chain with Oracle
US solar manufacturer connects products, distribution, and 3PLs in real time to automate and accelerate logistics.
United States | Industrial Manufacturing
“We realized that to stay ahead, we needed an integrated, global platform that would let our teams collaborate and innovate, rather than worry about siloed systems or manual updates.”
About First Solar
First Solar is America’s leading solar technology and manufacturing company, focused on competitively and reliably enabling power-generation needs with its advanced thin film PV technology.
Business problem: Growth increased complexity across logistics and warehouse processes
As demand for the company's products grew and its manufacturing and distribution footprint expanded, First Solar relied on a mix of legacy logistics solutions and regional workflows. Teams spent time reconciling shipping schedules, inventory records, and carrier information across separate systems.
Solution and results: Standardized warehouse workflows and inventory visibility
First Solar worked with Oracle to modernize global warehouse operations by deploying Oracle Fusion Cloud Supply Chain and Manufacturing. The solution connected manufacturing plants, distribution centers, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), and service depots in real time to support centralized control and standard processes.
The manufacturer’s workflows are designed for advanced technology solar modules and serialized components. The company brought in key Oracle capabilities for the project including; mobile scanning and license plates/handling units to support inventory accuracy and traceability, dashboards for labor, inventory health, and SLA performance across sites and 3PLs.
At warehouse and distribution sites, directed putaway and waveless picking support faster dock-to-stock and order cycle times, plus integration with transportation systems for freight and shipping confirmations accelerates processes and cuts manual effort. Quarterly cloud updates help the manufacturer stay current with AI-driven capabilities without disrupting day-to-day operations.