External providers are outside organizations or individuals that supply products, services, materials, or outsourced processes to a manufacturer. In manufacturing quality systems, the term commonly includes suppliers, subcontractors, distributors, calibration services, special process providers, contract manufacturers, and other parties whose output can affect product conformity or operational performance.
The term is often used in quality management and supplier control contexts, including aerospace environments aligned with AS9100. It emphasizes that externally supplied work must be identified, specified, monitored, and verified as appropriate to its effect on the final product or process.
External providers should not be treated as only material suppliers. A provider may deliver a physical part, perform a process such as heat treating or coating, provide inspection or test services, or support a software or data service used in production or quality workflows. The exact controls applied depend on the provider’s role, risk, and impact on requirements.