OpenLM Solution for Automotive Industry: Switch to Smart SLM

Some Numbers: IT Expenditure in the Automotive Industry

The Global IT Spending in the Automotive Market is expected to reach a CAGR of 8.8% between 2019 and 2027 and is projected to be valued at USD 133.5 billion in 2027, according to Verified Market Reports.

IT spending in automotive is the total amount of money that companies invest in IT (Information Technology) infrastructure. This includes hardware, software, and services related to IT, as well as personnel to operate and manage individual IT systems.

The global automotive software market size was valued at USD 34.16 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 116.62 billion by 2032, poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6% over the forecast period from 2024 to 2032. 

Software in the Automotive Industry

The automotive industry relies on various engineering applications at different stages of the vehicle lifecycle, from design and development to manufacturing and maintenance. Here are some of the key engineering applications used in different stages of the automotive industry: 

1. CAD (Computer-Aided Design): CAD applications such as CATIA, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, NX, Creo, and SolidEdge are used to create 2D and 3D models of vehicle parts, which are then analyzed for fit, function, and manufacturability. These CAD applications streamline the design process, enable collaboration among design teams, and facilitate the creation of innovative vehicle designs while ensuring accuracy and efficiency in automotive engineering projects.
2. CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering): CAE software allows engineers to simulate and analyze the performance of vehicle components and systems under various conditions. This includes finite element analysis (FEA) for structural analysis, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for aerodynamic analysis, and thermal analysis for heat management. Some widely used CAE applications include Ansys, Abaqus, MSC Nastran, LS-Dyna, Altair Hyperworks, and ANSA. 
3. CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing): CAM software such as Solidworks CAM, Autodesk Fusion 360, Mastercam, and Siemens NX CAM automates manufacturing using computers, CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines, and robotics. It leverages Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software modeling information as input to the manufacturing process. CAD software is used to design products. CAM software is used to control machine tools in the manufacturing of products. CAM software enables manufacturing equipment to efficiently utilize and transform raw materials and components into finished products.lp optimize manufacturing processes for efficiency and quality.
4. PLM (Product Lifecycle Management): PLM software example Dassault Systèmes ENOVIA, Siemens Teamcenter, PTC Windchill, Autodesk Fusion Lifecycle, manages product data and facilitates collaboration among various teams involved in the design, development, and manufacturing of vehicles. PLM systems track revisions, manage bills of materials (BOMs), and ensure data integrity throughout the product lifecycle. 
5. MES (Manufacturing Execution System): MES software monitors and controls manufacturing processes on the shop floor, providing real-time visibility into production operations. MES systems track work orders, manage inventory, and optimize production schedules to improve efficiency and throughput. Some prominent applications are Siemens SIMATIC, Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk, and Dassault Systèmes DELMIA Apriso. 
6. Vehicle Simulation Software: Vehicle simulation software allows engineers to model and simulate the behavior of entire vehicles under different driving conditions. Applications such as Matlab Simulink, Ansys Fluent, IPG CarMaker, CarSim, Dassault EMAG, and dSAPCE ASM simulations help optimize vehicle performance, fuel efficiency, and safety characteristics.
7. Testing and Validation Tools: Software like Vector CANoe/CANalyzer, dSPACE ControlDesk, NI LabVIEW, ETAS INCA, MATLAB, and Ansys Simplorer to verify the performance and reliability of vehicle components and systems. This includes physical testing in laboratories and on test tracks, as well as virtual testing using simulation software.

By leveraging these engineering applications and technologies, automotive companies can accelerate innovation, improve product quality, and enhance operational efficiency throughout the vehicle lifecycle.

How OpenLM’s Software License Management Empowers the Automotive Industry

OpenLM  for Automotive is a tailored Software License Management solution specifically for the automotive industry, its flexible and comprehensive license management solutions can effectively address the unique challenges faced by automotive companies in managing their software assets.

Diverse Software Ecosystem: OpenLM solution for automotive industry integrates with a variety of license types – network, named-user, cloud,  and applications commonly used in the automotive industry, such as CAD/CAM software, CAE tools, and PLM systems. This seamless integration ensures accurate automotive software license tracking and management of licenses across the organization.

Centralized License Management: OpenLM solution for automotive industry offers a centralized platform for managing all the licenses across different departments and locations within organizations. This centralization streamlines the process of license allocation, tracking, and management, ensuring that licenses are accessible to authorized users when needed.

Cost Optimization: In the automotive industry, where numerous software tools are used for design, simulation, analysis, testing, and manufacturing, managing licenses efficiently is crucial for cost optimization. OpenLM solution for automotive industry provides insights into software usage patterns, enabling companies to redistribute licenses as needed and avoid unnecessary purchases. It also helps to identify idle application sessions and harvest licenses. This improves the availability and overall efficiency. 

Resource Allocation: With OpenLM, automotive companies can track software usage across different departments and projects, enabling better resource allocation. This ensures that licenses are utilized effectively, reducing bottlenecks and improving productivity.

Usage Analytics: OpenLM’s reporting and analytics capabilities provide valuable insights into real-time and historical software usage trends, detailed session statistics, and idle periods. This information helps automotive companies make informed decisions about license purchases, renewals, and optimizations.

In an industry driven by innovation and efficiency, effective software license management is critical for automotive companies to stay competitive and compliant. OpenLM emerges as a powerful solution, empowering automotive organizations to gain control over their software licenses, optimize usage, reduce costs, and ensure compliance with licensing agreements. By leveraging OpenLM, automotive companies can unlock significant value while driving innovation and operational excellence.