Epicor webinar: Industry experts traverse Cloud ERP tailored for the automotive sector

In a recent panel discussion presented by The Economic Times in collaboration with Epicor, Vishal Raj Saini, Country Head – India and Indian Subcontinent at Epicor Software, was joined by Ashish Sinha, Head Operational Excellence India Operations of Autoliv India and Parna Ghosh, CIO at Minda Industries, CIO, Uno Minda Group, to deliberate on the topic: ‘Implementing Cloud ERP: Best Practices and Case Studies in Automotive Manufacturing’. Emphasising that the term “cloud” is often misunderstood and has different implications depending on the organisation, Saini explained the basics and differences between Cloud ERP and traditional ERP software. Saini outlined four deployment methodologies for ERP: multi-tenant Software as a Service (SaaS)—shared services among multiple customers, akin to a shuttle service; single-tenant SaaS— dedicated resources for a single customer, similar to an Uber service; on-premises— traditional model where the company owns and manages everything, like owning a car; infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)—licenses are bought, but infrastructure is cloud-based, comparable to leasing a car.

Diving into the spectrum of how ERP solutions tailored for the automotive sector align with the ‘Make in India’ campaign goals, Saini highlighted that for India to become a global manufacturing hub, both large enterprises and small to medium-sized companies need to enhance efficiency and competence. ERP systems contribute significantly by streamlining operations, improving planning and quality control, enabling paperless operations, and managing cash flow effectively. Saini emphasised that ERP provides foundational support, much like the first board in a Lego set, upon which companies can build their digital capabilities.

Speaking on key challenges ERP providers face in serving automotive manufacturers, Ashish Sinha, Head of Operational Excellence at Autoliv India, emphasised that a significant hurdle is shifting the mindset from manual to automated processes, particularly in an industry accustomed to paper-based operations. The transition to paperless systems is challenging but essential for efficiency. Another major challenge is ensuring traceability, which has improved significantly with ERP, offering nearly 100% accuracy compared to manual methods. Sinha highlighted the importance of ERP integration for data visualisation and predictive analytics, which help move from reactive to proactive decision-making. This integration enhances inventory management, security, and overall operational improvement, shifting focus from firefighting issues to continuous improvement.

Watch the full webinar here Cloud ERP in Automotive to learn from the insights shared by industry experts, who highlighted the transformative role of Cloud ERP in the automotive industry, emphasising the need for clear understanding, proper implementation strategies, and the significant benefits in terms of efficiency, scalability, and adaptability to challenges.