Low Code For Automotive Industry To Unleash All Potentials

Automotive OEMs are spending a fortune to create different applications that manage internal operations including

• MES (Manufacturing Execution System)
• Quality Checks
• Inspection Checks
• Logistics

These applications require intense amounts of maintenance and testing to ensure complete functionality since any kind of bug in the system can lead to reduced OEE.

The tech stack for creating such a complex application can be highly complicated, and so can the maintenance. However low code development can be the ultimate solution for this issue.

Low code development can tackle the challenges of creating and maintaining enterprise-level applications for different industries.

Before we explain how you can utilize low code for the automotive industry, let’s start by understanding how the life cycle tracking measure of low code platforms can help in the automotive industry.

Why Life Cycle Tracking Helps In Automotive

Manufacturing Issues

• Due to technical challenges, a manufactured and assembled vehicle fails to pass Quality checks and might circle back to the rework area.
• Vehicle of a specific model type and color may not be readily available or not in a “quality passed” state but is in urgent need of outbound delivery
• A vehicle can get damaged while loading onto the truck after accessory fitment and batching for outbound delivery 
• Manufacturing to order can sometimes lead to incorrect customer order mapping with vehicle
• The customer might change his color and model preferences after placing the order and the vehicle is manufactured, so the outbound logistics team will now need to remap the order with a different vehicle available in the plant
• Inefficient vehicle batching can lead to multiple truck outbound deliveries, resulting in an increase in Invoices, fuel cost, and time wastage

Distribution Issues

• Vehicles and accessories sent from the plant may get damaged during transit
• Count mismatch can occur between vehicles and accessories sent from the plant to the goods received at the distribution center
• Outbound truck accidents and malfunction can lead to delays in that entire batch reaching the distribution center
• Improper pre-delivery checks can lead to sub-par vehicles getting delivered to customers resulting in unsatisfactory, or negative feedback
• Accessories can get damaged after reaching the distribution center and might need to be replaced
• The vehicle might get damaged during pre-inspection checks, severe hardware malfunction might be detected, and the vehicle now needs to be returned to the plant for re-work. The delivery team needs to immediately remap the customer’s order with a new vehicle in stock

How Mendix App Factory Fits Perfectly In The Equation

Mendix can create a wide range of web and mobile applications and is equipped to tackle the challenges of different industries, including the automotive industry.

Mendix App Factory contains a large library of pre-built components that can be combined through a drag-and-drop interface to create a relevant solution for a specific department.

Mendix low code platform also provides templates for creating certain applications, and business leaders or other staff members can easily repurpose one or more of them through customization.

How Mendix App Factory Inspires Innovation In The Automotive Industry

• Mendix app factory comprises various apps deployed inside the manufacturing plant and distribution centers of the OEM
• These apps collect and maintain various data sets from the generation point of VIN, vehicle assembly, and until the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
• The apps send the data to SAP using REST APIs based on different events in the plant and distribution centers
• Mendix is constantly capturing all events in case of quality check failure, rework delays, vehicle & accessory goods movement from plant to delivery center, count mismatch
• The platform will send all operational data to SAP so there is proper tracking of such scenarios for generating visualized reports

Benefits of Integrating Mendix App Factory In The Automotive Industry

1. Higher Agility With Adaptive Apps

Mendix can help you reach higher agility with the quick deployment of different solutions that enable better collaboration with customers and internal and external stakeholders.

Mendix can ensure higher agility through

• Accelerating digital execution by connecting the disconnected
• Modernizing and rescaling business processes and operations
• Creating holistic, integrated digital experiences

This allows for increased delivery of business solutions across supply, engineering, manufacturing, service, and business domains and enables digital transformation.

Mendix can help automotive manufacturers

2. Electrification Shift Business Processes Receive A Boost

The automotive industry is slowly turning towards complete electrification, and this is causing a total transition in the following sectors:

• Supply Chains
• Factories
• Services
• industry Regulations
• Government Mandates

In the electrification industry, there are multiple possible sectors where manufacturers can implement digital solutions to streamline procedures and modernize where required.

Low code development is the fastest way to do so, and with platforms like Mendix any automotive manufacturer can achieve automation throughout all departments by

• Connecting the disconnected while automating manual processes with ease
• Creating flexible and adaptive apps at speed and scale
• Empowering ecosystem collaboration for co-creation

3. Improved Engagement With Customers and Stakeholders

With cloud-based infrastructures, customers can interact with the driving process while

• The design phase is in progress
• Using the vehicle itself
• Connecting with the vehicle remotely

With Mendix Data Hub’s excellent integration processes, automation can save time and resources when maintaining integrations with other third-party systems.

Mendix achieves this by

• Creating simplified user experiences tailored to personal needs
• Offering a single, common platform for strategic IT systems connectivity
• Transitioning isolated initiatives to a more cohesive app development approach

4. Better Transparency For Supply Chain & Logistics

Supply chain and logistics rely on huge volumes of actionable data and insights, and Mendix is a platform that has mastered the art of offering real-time data analytics.

With Mendix, any supply chain owner can increase the efficiency of data collection from different sources and continue solving critical issues such as

• Material shortages
• Scheduling conflicts
• Supply/ distribution disruption

Mendix empowers supply chain owners by transferring complete control and governance over to the owners, allowing for quick and transparent responses by

• Minimizing risk with secure and customized cloud applications
• Increasing efficiency by integrating data from multiple sources
• Offering greater visibility by integrating everyone in the development process

5. Innovation Through Co-Creation

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is a transformation ownership concept in the transformation industry. The transition has affected both automotive OEMs and suppliers.

Mendix has made the idea of shared business models a reality by allowing both business experts and IT professionals to participate in the development process for digital services.

Mendix enables this process of co-creation by offering

• A shared platform for accelerated application development
• Personalized shared service experiences
• An empowered global value chain across the organization

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