Dell's manufacturing sites are located strategically for competitive advantage. Locations include Brazil, China, Malaysia, Ireland and the US, which provide low costs and access to important regional markets. Outsourcing production allows Dell to focus on pricing, customization, and rapid order fulfillment. This gives Dell the lowest inventory levels in the industry through replacing physical inventory with information systems. While other companies attempt to imitate Dell's model, the required managerial skills are difficult to develop. Low costs from efficient operations and supply chain management provide Dell a competitive advantage, though continuous improvement is needed against imitation.