Nissan has embarked on a significant initiative to digitalise its vehicle flow process, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies in collaboration with Anaplan, a leading scenario planning and analysis platform provider. The strategic partnership is poised to enhance various aspects of Nissan's operations, stretching from production forecasting to dealer stock management and customer sales. The project aims for completion by June 2025 and is the first phase of a broader effort to enhance business optimisation through improved data accuracy across the Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (Amieo) regions.
"This partnership marks a key acceleration point in Nissan’s digitalisation journey and is an important step toward our mid-term plan, The Arc,” stated Leon Dorssers, senior vice-president of region marketing and sales at Nissan Amieo. The Arc business plan, which was introduced in March 2024, focuses on increasing electrification and incorporating new engineering and manufacturing approaches, including the adoption of emerging technologies and strategic partnerships.
Future stages of the digitalisation project are expected to deploy advanced AI and ML techniques to navigate challenges such as supply chain disruptions, fluctuating costs, and varying consumer demand patterns. Nissan intends to enhance its decision-making processes concerning production and resource allocation across the Amieo regions. The partnership with Anaplan is designed to bolster Nissan's ability to analyse and understand market trends over the long term. This capability will inform design choices and optimise inventory management, supporting a more responsive operational model.
The Anaplan platform will be implemented across several of Nissan’s functional areas, including sales and marketing, supply chain management, manufacturing, logistics, and finance. Nissan has committed to integrating this platform with existing legacy systems to ensure that its operations remain agile and adaptable to customer needs in the Amieo regions.
In its ongoing commitment to digital transformation, Nissan is also prioritising the digitalisation of operations in North America. This point was emphasised by Gerardo de la Torre, regional senior director of supply chain management in the US and Mexico, at this year’s Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Digital Strategies North America conference. Further strengthening its cybersecurity measures, Nissan engaged KPMG as its strategic partner for the Manufacturing Cybersecurity Supplier Program (MCSP), with plans to complete 80 supplier assessments by the end of the year.
Additionally, Nissan has launched a tier-n solicitation application in partnership with PwC, which commenced in June and is set for global roll-out across the carmaker's operations. The move reflects Nissan’s commitment to utilising advanced technologies and strategic partnerships to bolster its operational capabilities and customer responsiveness.
Source: Noah Wire Services