Monday, 9 May 2011

Cloud in the Automotive Industry

Automotive industry is bracing cloud-based technologies in a rapid wave. Along with green technology advances, cloud technology advances in automotive industry are the key to the progress of the industry. Ranging from GPS system to vehicle tracking system, cloud computing allows businesses in the automotive sector to deliver better and offer more to the end customers. I have listed a few case studies from the Auto sector to give you an insight into how the cloud technology is being used, right from in-car infotainment to supply chain management by these giants to transform their businesses.

Toyota is going to team up with the Microsoft Azure Cloud Platform to deliver various services related to automobile building activities. Microsoft and Toyota are supposed to stick $12 million in Toyota Media Services to develop diagnostic and GPS data for cars, developing a whole global cloud platform for "telematics" by 2015. Toyota means to open the platform to other car makers. Growing enterprise adoption of Cloud Platform is good news, especially for the automobile industry which is at a crossroads and trying to become profitable again. Interesting article by Srinivasan Sundara Rajan

Infosys was looking at revitalizing its auto dealer solution to address flexibility & scalability requirements as well as to simplify the process of sharing inventory & other data  between dealerships in a network and with their original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). They built this system by leveraging the cloud based Microsoft Services Platform along with Microsoft SQL Data Services.

Ford MyTouch uses cloud to help turn its vehicles into mobile communications hubs -  Source: “Ford Rewires Cars for Connectivity” — CMP TechWeb. 7 January 2010
In January 2010, Ford unveiled its new cloud-based MyTouch system at the CES show in Las Vegas. The new program brings hightech applications, WiFi capability, and the second generation of Microsoft's SYNC software into Ford vehicles. MyTouch will first feature in the 2011 Lincoln MXK, followed by the company’s other Lincoln and Ford vehicles. It will have several advanced telematics services that will be standard on new vehicles equipped with MyTouch and its SYNC communications and entertainment platform. These services include enhanced touch and voice access, Wi-Fi connections, cloud service connectivity, and pre-installed web applications such as Twitter and Pandora. Ford's vision for SYNC is to connect customers with families and friends, with their personal devices, and with the data they have stored in the cloud. And all while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.

Daimler uses cloud to connect with its supplier network Sources: Accenture Research Analysis; Factiva; “Compuware Covisint Extends Global Supplier Portal Contract with Daimler AG” — GlobeNewswire. 16 June 2009
In 2009, Daimler extended its agreement with Compuware’s Covisint group to build and maintain a comprehensive portal and identity management solution that securely connects Daimler with its vast network of suppliers globally. Covisint provides Daimler and its suppliers with an industry-standard connectivity and  security solution — including single-sign-on in a cloud computing, SaaS model — enabling seamless and secure collaboration for critical-business information. Together with Covisint, they plan to further leverage the latest Web 2.0 features and, in a systematic approach, look for solutions to bring the communication with their suppliers to the next level.

Also published on BMC Communities blog - Cloud-n-more

5 comments:

  1. Nice article. Only correction is that Covisint is a subsidiary of Compuware not CompuServe

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  2. Thanks! I am updating the post to correct this! Cheers...Deven

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  3. The automotive industry can really benefit in the use of cloud for their platform. Thanks.
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  4. Good article... Maybe you can help me with some content or case study regarding the usage of Cloud backup and Recovery solution in automotive industry, which I need for the purpose of my research.

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  5. I think automotive industries will definitely get great success in cloud-based technologies.
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