Requirements checklist
What to ask for when choosing software for auto manufacturers.
A checklist built from how auto manufacturers work, to print or save as a PDF and bring to any supplier meeting.
What the software should cover
Tick each one that matters to your business.
- Build orders and variant bills of materials
- Supplier schedules and goods inward
- Station checks and torque records
- End-of-line testing and rework
- Engineering change control
- Dealer allocation and dispatch
- Warranty and recall traceability
Roles that need their own access
Who logs in, and what each person may see or change.
- For production planners
- For stores and purchase staff
- For line supervisors and operators
- For quality and test staff
- For dispatch and sales administration
Reports to ask for
Ask to see each one with your own sample data.
- Build orders by variant against slot plan
- Parts short for release by variant
- Supplier delivery and lot rejection history
- Station defects and torque exceptions
- End-of-line first-pass results by unit
- Rework causes by station and supplier
- Units allocated and in transit by dealer
Systems it may need to connect to
Note which ones you already run.
- Torque tools and test benches
- Barcode and label printers
- Design and drawing systems
- Supplier portals
- Accounting software export
- Dealer ordering systems
Questions for any vendor
Put these to every supplier you are comparing.
- Can it follow a recall to the exact vehicles?
- How are variants kept apart on one line?
- Does it read torque tools and test benches?
- Can a unit be held if a reading is out of range?
- How does engineering change control work?
- Can we manage supplier approval of new parts?
- Can dealers see where their orders stand?
- Can it handle bodies fitted to bought-in chassis?
- How would our part and bill of materials data get in?
- What would it cost a vehicle plant?
Where the work usually breaks today
Circle the ones you recognise. They set the order of the project.
- Variant parts are short at the station
- A supplier lot cannot be traced to units
- Torque and test readings sit on paper
- Rework has no owner
- Engineering changes reach the line late
Prefer to talk it through? See the auto manufacturers page.