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Driving the Auto Industry Forward: Trends and IT Challenges Solved by SAP
Driving the Auto Industry Forward: Trends and IT Challenges Solved by SAP

November 18, 2024

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The automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation. From the electrification of vehicles to the rise of autonomous driving and connected mobility, every aspect of the sector is being reshaped. These changes bring both opportunities and challenges, particularly in IT infrastructure, data management, and operational scalability. SAP, with its innovative suite of solutions, empowers automotive companies to address these challenges and adapt to emerging trends seamlessly.

Let’s explore key industry domains, their trends, challenges, and how SAP's technical capabilities solve them.

1. Product Planning & Development

Trend: Accelerated innovation cycles are critical for electrification, autonomous vehicles, and sustainability compliance.
Challenges: Managing complex datasets, ensuring cross-team collaboration, and achieving faster time-to-market.
Technical Solutions:

  • SAP Engineering Control Center: Integrates with CAD and PLM tools, allowing seamless design and data management.
  • SAP Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): Centralizes product data, optimizes workflows, and provides analytics for faster decision-making.
  • SAP Sustainability Control Tower: Ensures compliance by embedding environmental metrics directly into product planning.

2. Supply Chain Management (SCM) & Manufacturing (MFG)

Trend: Smart factories and supply chain resilience are critical in volatile global markets.
Challenges: Mitigating disruptions, managing raw material shortages, and improving production efficiency.
Technical Solutions:

  • SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP): Combines predictive analytics, demand planning, and inventory optimization.
  • SAP Digital Manufacturing Cloud: Offers real-time visibility into shop floor operations, enabling quick responses to disruptions.
  • SAP Ariba: Streamlines procurement, connecting buyers with global suppliers while ensuring compliance.

3. Corporate Operations (Finance & HR)

Trend: Complex financial landscapes and workforce diversity demand innovative management approaches.
Challenges: Automating global financial processes and adapting to hybrid work models.
Technical Solutions:

  • SAP S/4HANA Finance: Enables real-time financial analytics, predictive insights, and automated compliance reporting.
  • SAP SuccessFactors: Offers AI-powered talent acquisition, workforce analytics, and continuous learning platforms to align skills with evolving business needs.
  • SAP Concur: Simplifies travel and expense management, ensuring compliance and reducing operational overheads.

4. Sales & Marketing

Trend: Direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales models and virtual showrooms are redefining customer engagement.
Challenges: Personalizing outreach while managing cross-channel consistency.
Technical Solutions:

  • SAP Marketing Cloud: Provides AI-driven segmentation and personalization, ensuring targeted campaigns.
  • SAP Commerce Cloud: Supports omnichannel experiences, integrating digital showrooms and e-commerce.
  • SAP Customer Data Cloud: Ensures data privacy compliance while building unified customer profiles.

5. Aftersales (Service Parts & Warranty)

Trend: Predictive maintenance and streamlined warranty processes drive customer loyalty.
Challenges: Managing spare parts inventory, warranty claims, and ensuring cost-effective service.
Technical Solutions:

  • SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM): Optimizes inventory tracking and reduces part shortages.
  • SAP Warranty and Claim Management: Automates claims processing and integrates with dealer systems for a unified approach.
  • SAP Predictive Asset Insights: Uses IoT data to monitor vehicle health and predict maintenance needs.

6. Customer Experience (CX)

Trend: Customers demand personalized, seamless interactions at every touchpoint.
Challenges: Unifying customer data and delivering consistent experiences across channels.
Technical Solutions:

  • SAP Customer Experience (CX) Portfolio: Includes SAP Service Cloud for post-sales support and SAP Sales Cloud for proactive engagement.
  • SAP Qualtrics: Collects and analyzes experience data to continuously improve customer satisfaction.
  • SAP Analytics Cloud: Provides insights into customer behavior, helping businesses anticipate needs.

The Road Ahead

The automotive industry is navigating a fast-paced digital transformation. Success depends on agility, innovation, and customer-centricity. SAP’s integrated solutions offer the technical backbone needed to address evolving IT challenges while unlocking new growth opportunities.

From enabling smarter product development to redefining customer experiences, SAP ensures automotive companies can thrive in a connected, sustainable future. Together, we can drive innovation, streamline operations, and deliver unparalleled value across the automotive ecosystem.


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Hitachi Digital Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., is an edge-to-core digital consultancy and technology services provider helping organizations realize the full potential of AI-driven digital transformation. Through a technology-unified operating model for cloud, data and IoT, Hitachi Digital Services' end-to-end value creation for clients is established through innovation in digital engineering, implementation services, products, and solutions. Built on Hitachi Group's more than 110 years of innovation across industries, Hitachi Digital Services helps to improve people's lives today and build a sustainable society tomorrow. To learn more, visit https://hitachids.com.

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