ADL Automotive Executive; Current Topics for senior Management "E-Success: The Basics"

Autumn | 2000 Automotive Executive Current Topics for Senior Management E-success: the Basics. Maximising e-potential is currently a hot topic throughout industry. Rightly so, for failure to exploit the new avenues could lead to corporate extinction. But in this climate it is all too easy to lose sight of the real basics for success. To avoid this may we suggest using a series of proven, but often over- looked, success factors. The first two factors should be totally familiar to every reader. First ascertain the true value of the project, in terms of the pre- sent value of future cash-flows. Secondly focus on strategic timing by assessing your customers e-ripeness and seeking the optimal time to market. These are perhaps the obvious basics for implementing any successful (e-)strategy. Less obvious, but equally important are the other success fac- tors. The third is that Web-only is out. A glance at even the most successful e-tailers is enough to show that without bricks and mortar distribution and personal service, any cor- poration faces a major hurdle. Those expanding an establis- hed brand into e-services possess a quantifiable advantage. "Obviously, implementing Arthur D. Little Automotive Executive an e-commerce strategy can be extremely complex, but bearing the basics in mind can turn a good start into a successful future." Basic Web Commerce Success factor 4. Get your fulfillment logistics right. Fast and Insights ...................................................... Page 1 accurate delivery is vital in an environment where your com- petitor is only one click away and your customers dissatisfac- Autos and Mul timedia ........ Page 2 tion can be carried World-wide in chat rooms (just think in terms of parts supply). Cost Cutting Success factor 5 – integrate sales channels. Are your points of with E-Logic .......................................... Page 3 information/contacts properly aligned? That means dealers, sales reps, call centre, web page, and ancillary services. With- Current Projects & out such integration sales potential is wasted. Publications ......................................... Page 3 Success factor 6 – respect regional market specifics. To some perhaps the most vital element in successfully implementing Knowledge Management Page 4 an e-commerce strategy. What works in Detroit or Kyoto will How basic are your e-business instincts? With the ADL probably never work in Europe, regardless of fast food, Coca Monday morning checklist you’ll have a worthwhile busin- Cola or sushi. Not every hurdle in e-business can be overco- ess tool to hand – condensed into just one page! For your me purely by basic factors. On the other hand, early and pro- copy just fax us with your details on: + 49 - 611 - 71 48 372 or longed attention to these factors could mean the difference e-mail us: landmann.ralf@adlittle.com between long-term success and short-term struggle. Arthur D. Little Automotive Executive Autumn | 2000 In-car multimedia de- Welcome to the second edition mystified. of the ADL Automotive We all know it’s here because the TCP/IP). IP can be carried over a va- Executive, and market demanded it. But just how riety of data link and physical layers, many thanks can the automotive executive quan- including packet-switched mobile te- for the interest tify the current and future state of lecommunications (GPRS, EDGE, showed in the in-car multimedia? Andrew Stirling UMTS), broadcast channels (DVB etc.) first. This issue comes at a time when the gives a brief outline. and over in-vehicle networks both hype over e-commerce is definitely wired and wireless. fading and the realities and potential are Applications (Browser, etc.) Devices in Europe open to exploitation. Hence our focus Application Programming Interfaces (API) will also need to upon these realities. Another area of Operating System support WAP proto- importance is in-car multi-media. Finally cols, to ensure we hope to shed a little light on the mas- Hardware Drivers access to a full sive potential of knowledge manage- Hardware: range of mobile ser- CPU, Storage, Comms./Network Interfaces ment. Hopefully there is something sti- vices. Support for mulating for each of you, either way, Wireless WAN Wireless LAN LANs GSM, CDMA, etc. Bluetooth, etc. CAN, D2B, MOST, etc. Internet protocol can please let us know. The platform architecture, software elements uppermost. be extended into the vehicle’s own net- Which API and Operating System? work infrastructure for convenient Choice of application programming access from multiple devices. interface (API) and operating system Andreas Feige determines how much interactive Packet-Based Communications: software will be available for the plat- Mobile Telecommunication interfaces form. For example choosing WinCE are becoming packet-based, substan- Upgradeable Platform: Since services are or PalmOS would ensure a reasona- tially increasing the effectiveness of evolving rapidly, it is important to ensure ble supply of software and tools/skil- support for data services. Packet- that the in-vehicle equipment can evolve led people available to create content.