GM taps Covisint’s fulfillment software to support order-to-delivery efforts

DETROIT — General Motors Corp. has begun a pilot program in its North American assembly plants that will use Covisint’s “Fulfillment” software to facilitate real-time connectivity with multiple tiers of the GM supply chain. The trial program is parts of GM’s Order-to-Delivery initiative.

Covisint’s software is designed to provide an automaker with a window to its suppliers, addressing such issues as supply chain responsiveness, efficiency and synchronization. Once integrated into the plants, the technology can lead to improvements in the communication of information, management of inventory and linking of IT systems.

“Covisint Fulfillment will serve as a strategic building block for our Order-to-Delivery process,” said Brad Ross, global executive-in-charge of GM’s Order-to-Delivery project, who added that this program could help suppliers better manage their operations, improve their ability to control inventory and production costs, and, ultimately, help strengthen their bottom line.

“Once Covisint Fulfillment is integrated into these plants, it will provide the foundation to integrate the supply chain, enabling ‘sense-and-respond’ capability,” Ross added. “GM will then be able to respond more rapidly to market requirements and, at the same time, enable the supply chain to improve overall efficiency and effectiveness.”

Kevin English, CEO and president of Covisint, called the pilot program with GM “a major milestone.”

“We believe their use of Covisint Fulfillment will … help drive standardized communications for the entire industry,” English said.