NetSuite Industries: Automotive

The Dynamic Supply Chain of the Automotive Industry

The automotive manufacturing industry operates within one of the most complex supply chains in the world. With thousands of components, the growing influence of Just-in-Time manufacturing, and pressures to maintain strict product lines, having a strong inventory management system in place is critical to the daily operations of automotive manufacturers. However, traditional inventory management processes continue to disrupt production lines and can be extremely costly, significantly extending the time required to manufacturer vehicles or auto parts.

From Manual to Automatic

In an industry where production efficiency directly impacts the bottom line, companies in this sector face the constant challenge of balancing inventory levels with production demands. To address this, many automotive manufacturers have adopted Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing. While highly effective in managing tight production schedules, JIT requires near-perfect inventory control. If parts or materials arrive too early, capital is tied up in excess inventory, but if they arrive too late, missing components can halt production lines costing hundreds of dollars in lost labor.

Manual processes make keeping this delicate balance nearly impossible. Traditional practices such as handwritten inventory counts, manual stock checks, and paper-based receiving processes introduce significant inefficiencies that not only slow down operations but also increase the risk of errors that can cascade throughout the supply chain, resulting in costly production delays. By automating inventory management, automotive manufacturers can eliminate these inefficiencies and create a more responsive, and agile production environment.

Shifting Gears with RF-SMART & NetSuite

RF-SMART’s warehouse management system (WMS) for NetSuite offers a robust inventory management solution that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of the automotive industry. This solution enables real-time visibility and control, allowing manufacturers to maintain optimal stock levels while supporting JIT production requirements. With RF-SMART, companies in this sector can transform their inventory operations through:

Real-Time Inventory Visibility

Access accurate, up-to-the-minute information on inventory levels across all locations, enabling better production planning and reducing the risk of stockouts or overstock situations.

Automated Receiving and Put-Away

Streamline the receiving process with barcode scanning that validates incoming shipments against purchase orders, ensuring the right parts are available for production when needed.

Efficient Picking and Kitting

Optimize the assembly of component kits for production lines, ensuring all necessary parts are gathered efficiently and accurately before reaching the assembly point.

Cycle Counting Without Disruption

Maintain inventory accuracy without shutting down operations through systematic cycle counting that can be performed during normal
business hours.

Seamless Integration with NetSuite

Eliminate duplicate data entry and ensure that inventory information is consistent across all systems, providing a single source of truth for inventory management.

Printing & Labeling with Speed

The automotive industry deals with many small parts, such as hardware, electronic pieces, and engine components, all needing unique labels for tracking and traceability. Manually creating and printing labels by entering product information can cause errors and slow down operations. To keep production lines running smoothly, companies must automate these processes.

By adopting a system like RF-SMART Cloud Printing, automotive manufacturers can benefit from a system that:

• Integrates directly with NetSuite, removing the need for third-party systems
• Offers customizable templates that match brand guidelines and specific customer needs
• Prints labels directly from the shop floor with one-touch functionality
• Supports a wide range of printers, including older models.

Driving Towards Excellence:
How RF-SMART’s Built-For-NetSuite Solutions Helped Transform
Rhino-Rack’s Warehouse Management

“To be able to scan and select the PO that we need, put that straight in with the goods and
then straight into stock has cut down our time to receive from a day to minutes.” – Rhino-Rack

Challenges

Rhino-Rack, an Australian manufacturer of automotive roof rack systems exporting to over 55 countries, faced significant challenges when they discovered their initially chosen WMS lacked essential functionality. This realization during the testing phase required them to find a replacement solution that could handle their complex inventory management needs while maintaining their implementation timeline.

Solution

To address these challenges, Rhino-Rack chose RF‑SMART as their WMS solution. RF‑SMART WMS provided native NetSuite integration with real-time visibility into transactions, which proved to be a perfect fit for Rhino-Rack's requirements. With key functionalities including receiving, order picking, enhanced item inquiry, and bin transfers, Rhino-Rack was able to significantly improve their inventory control processes.