Requirements checklist
What to ask for when choosing software for auto parts manufacturers.
A checklist built from how auto parts 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.
- Customer part numbers and revisions
- Release schedules
- Lot production and inspection
- Labels and shipping notices
- Returnable packaging
- Complaints and containment
- Subcontracted processes
Roles that need their own access
Who logs in, and what each person may see or change.
- For production planners
- For press and machine operators
- For the quality lab
- For stores and dispatch
- For account managers
Reports to ask for
Ask to see each one with your own sample data.
- Release changes by customer plant and part
- Lots by inspection result and die
- Parts shipped against each release
- Plating and heat treatment returns, short and rejected
- Crates and racks held by customer plant
- Complaints by part and root cause
Systems it may need to connect to
Note which ones you already run.
- Customer release files
- Label printer
- Barcode scanner
- Accounting export
Questions for any vendor
Put these to every supplier you are comparing.
- How does it stop an old drawing revision being used at the press?
- Can I see what changed in the customer’s latest release before sequencing the week?
- What does lot trace include?
- Which label formats can it print?
- Can outside process orders be reconciled?
- How are returnable boxes counted?
- How does a complaint get handled?
- Does it replace our quality system?
- Can we load our existing part list?
- What does a first meeting cover?
Where the work usually breaks today
Circle the ones you recognise. They set the order of the project.
- Customer releases change the plan daily
- Drawing revisions reach the shop late
- First-sample approval files are scattered
- Lot traceability stops at the pallet
- Returnable boxes and labels go astray
Prefer to talk it through? See the auto parts manufacturers page.