Inter-enterprise order management system in a pure automotive BTO manufacturing system

The traditional forecast-based manufacturing system in the auto industry does no longer meet today's requirements of sophisticated customers in globalised markets. Most manufacturers have compiled high stocks of finished cars at the most expensive point of the supply chain while not being able to provide the customers with exactly the cars they want within short order-to-delivery lead times. Build-to-order has been discussed as a suitable manufacturing concept for products with multiple variants and high value for years now; however, little research has been conducted with respect to necessary inter-enterprise planning and execution processes and supporting ICT systems. The paper on hand outlines a proposal for new supporting ICT systems for inter-enterprise order management in a pure BTO manufacturing environment in the automotive industry.