Auto supplier projects $5.6M in savings with a unified platform
673
Improvement opportunities identified and prioritized across operations
$5.6M
Projected savings from replacing piecemeal systems
90+
Spreadsheets eliminated for program, task and cost tracking
At a glance
Client
Manufacturer
Industry
Automotive manufacturing
Our role
Modernized program management, data
Our solution
Unified Microsoft platform
Unified platform improves visibility and control
Scenario
An innovative manufacturer pivoting into the EV supply chain needed scalable systems to support Tier 1 automotive requirements and future growth.
Approach
MCA Connect unified sales, program management and data on Microsoft technologies tailored to automotive industry processes.
Result
The company gained visibility, reduced manual work and positioned itself for a streamlined ERP transformation.
Scenario
Preparing for a new phase of growth
A manufacturer uncovered a significant opportunity when it found that its materials were ideally suited for electric vehicle batteries. That innovation opened the door to becoming a Tier 1 automotive supplier, creating new opportunities to supply automotive parts manufacturers and positioning the company for long-term growth.
As the company expanded into a more complex operating environment, leadership recognized the need for greater visibility across sales, programs and operations. Meeting parts manufacturers’ expectations would require faster responses to RFQs, stronger cost management and improved oversight of multi-year programs. The organization was operating on separate CRM, ERP and cloud-hosting systems and wanted a unified platform that could support automotive-specific processes while creating a consistent foundation for future growth.
Approach
Bringing sales, programs and data together
The manufacturer worked with MCA Connect to replace disconnected systems with an integrated Microsoft-based environment designed for Tier 1 automotive operations. The unified solution:
- Used MCA Connect’s AutoCONNECT bid accelerator to support advanced product quality planning stages, cost tracking and parts manufacturers’ documentation requirements.
- Configured project operations to manage every model-year program, track costs and organize documentation.
- Created workflows that reduce administrative friction and give teams visibility into who owns individual processes.
This eliminated the need for costly customizations of the client’s CRM system or for a third-party solution, and helped the client go live faster.
Meanwhile, the installation of the MCA Connect Inspire Platform helped leadership visualize opportunities to streamline operations, unify sales and program management, and track real program costs.
MCA Connect also replaced the existing cloud-hosting platform with Microsoft Azure and Fabric for unified data management and reporting through the Inspire Platform.
Result
Building visibility while preparing for ERP transformation
With a connected platform in place, the manufacturer now responds to RFQs more quickly and accurately. Teams can manage costs, timelines and documentation within a single environment, giving leadership greater confidence in operational and financial decision-making, and generating a projected $5.6 million in savings.
The company eliminated more than 90 spreadsheets previously used for program and cost tracking and gained clearer insight into customer and program profitability. In addition, the MCA Connect team helped the client identify and prioritize 673 improvement opportunities across its operations, and implementation of many of those changes began immediately.
The organization entered its planned Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain implementation with cleaner data, proven processes and a stronger foundation for future expansion into additional markets, including aerospace and defense.
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