Autodesk Survey Reveals Sales and Customer Satisfaction as the Key Focus for Companies in Transportation Supply Chain

The survey, which polled the views and opinions of 300 decision-makers and influencers working in the UK, Germany and France, also found that quality was an important consideration for many companies. 89% of the sample saw maintaining high quality as a key challenge for 2010, making it by far the most popular choice. In addition, 77% saw the need to improve product quality as a key business objective.

Other drivers identified by the research included improving communication with customers (referenced by 69% as a key challenge) and improving communications with suppliers, (highlighted by 42%).

As Richard Blatcher, head of marketing – manufacturing EMEA, Autodesk explains, “companies in the automotive and aerospace supply chains want to improve the way they communicate with suppliers and customers in order to drive up satisfaction levels and increase sales. To do this, they need to maintain product quality. And to meet this challenge, they need technology, such as the digital design solutions that we offer at Autodesk that is both easy-to-use and enables them to improve their business processes and get the most from their designs.”

The survey also reveals that the cost of a design project itself is not seen as a major issue. Instead, organisations are concentrating on reducing material costs (highlighted by 55%) and cutting back on operating costs (referenced by 60% of respondents as a key challenge for 2010).

“In line with a growing focus on green issues, manufacturers are optimising the use of product materials to reduce wastage and make products more sustainable,” adds Blatcher. “They are increasingly realising that to achieve this, they first need to reduce operating inefficiencies. Design technology can play a key role here also in allowing manufacturers to drive faster time to market and reduce time spent on process issues.

The survey also revealed automotive and aerospace customers’ perceptions of their own key strengths. The four highest ranked attributes were experience and knowledge (cited by 97% of respondents); quality product/service (95%), reliable service (92%) and flexibility/ability to change and adapt (91%).

“In working with customers in the sector, vendors need to be aware that manufacturers are likely to be attracted by offers that enhance these strengths and to respect suppliers who exhibit these strengths themselves,” said Blatcher.

* This is an ongoing study in which Autodesk is actively encouraging participation through its campaign landing page: http://www.autodeskadvantage.com