Back-to-Back Supply Creation Flows in Oracle Cloud

Back-to-back (B2B) fulfillment in Oracle Fusion Cloud allows organizations to trigger supply creation (Buy, Make, Transfer, or On-Hand Reservation) after a sales order is entered and scheduled. The system dynamically generates supply documents depending on the source of the item and executes supply fulfillment through Oracle Procurement, Manufacturing, or Inventory Management.

1. Overview of Back-to-Back Supply Creation Flows

Each back-to-back flow follows these key steps:

Sales Order Entry & Scheduling – A customer places an order that requires supply creation.

Supply Order Generation – The system determines the best supply source based on predefined sourcing rules.

Supply Execution – The supply is created using procurement (Buy), manufacturing (Make), transfer (Transfer), or existing stock (On-Hand).

Receiving & Reservation – The supply is received and linked to the sales order.

Order Fulfillment – The sales order is shipped to the customer.

2. Back-to-Back Supply Creation Buy Flow (Procurement-Based Fulfillment)

The Buy Flow is used when the required item is procured from an external supplier because it is not available in stock or another warehouse.

Step-by-Step Buy Flow Process

Below is the step-by-step breakdown of the Back-to-Back Buy Flow with Oracle Fusion applications involved:

Step 1: Initiate Back-to-Back Sales Order

The customer places a sales order in Oracle Order Management.

The system checks stock availability in Oracle Inventory Cloud.

If no stock is available, Oracle Supply Chain Orchestration (SCO) triggers a supply request.

Oracle Global Order Promising (GOP) determines procurement as the best supply source.

The sales order is scheduled for back-to-back fulfillment.

✅ System Action: The system marks the sales order for procurement and creates a supply order.

Step 2: Create Supply Order

Oracle Supply Chain Orchestration (SCO) generates a Supply Order.

The system determines that a Purchase Order (PO) is needed.

A Purchase Requisition is created in Oracle Procurement Cloud.

✅ System Action: The system sends a request for procurement.

Step 3: Request Purchase Order (PO)

Oracle Procurement Cloud converts the requisition into a Purchase Order (PO).

The PO is sent to the external supplier.

The PO is linked to the sales order, ensuring that supply is dedicated to fulfilling the order.

✅ System Action: The system creates a Purchase Order (PO) and tracks supplier delivery.

Step 4: Receive the Purchase Order (PO)

The supplier delivers the goods to the fulfillment warehouse.

The warehouse team receives the PO in Oracle Receiving.

The received inventory is updated in Oracle Inventory Cloud.

The supply is reserved against the back-to-back demand.

✅ System Action: The system marks the received supply as reserved for the sales order.

Step 5: Ship the Back-to-Back Sales Order

The order is picked, packed, and shipped from the warehouse.

Oracle Shipping Execution updates the order status.

An invoice is generated in Oracle Receivables.

The sales order is closed.

✅ Final Action: The system completes the order and ships it to the customer.

3. Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Involved in Back-to-Back Buy Flow

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4. Benefits of the Back-to-Back Buy Flow

✔ Reduces Inventory Holding Costs – No need to stock large quantities in advance.✔ Ensures Order-Specific Procurement – Every sales order is directly linked to supply.✔ Automates Procurement & Order Processing – Seamless integration between Oracle modules.✔ Enhances Customer Satisfaction – Quick fulfillment by sourcing products efficiently.✔ Optimizes Supplier Collaboration – Real-time PO creation and tracking with suppliers.

5. Real-World Use Case

Scenario: Electronics Distributor Fulfilling a Large Order

A distributor selling high-end laptops does not keep them in stock but procures them from suppliers only when an order is placed.

Process Flow:

A corporate customer places an order for 50 laptops.

The system checks stock and finds no available inventory.

A Purchase Order is created in Oracle Procurement Cloud and sent to the supplier.

The supplier delivers the laptops to the warehouse.

The laptops are reserved against the sales order.

The laptops are shipped to the customer, and the invoice is generated.

✅ Result: The distributor minimizes inventory costs while fulfilling customer demand efficiently.