Shanghai GM, which was recently ranked number 1 by the Chinese government for business applications, has suppliers worldwide using multiple technologies, and we all need to securely communicate and transact business with each other, says X.Q. Zhang, CIO of Shanghai GM. Covisint provided our entire supplier community with the visibility, integration and control it needed - overnight.

Compuware Covisint is a strategic IT partner for General Motors and Shanghai GM. Covisints platform provides a combination of standards-based, any-to-any messaging, secure portal, application sharing and industry-specific software services to connect and integrate automotive trading partners, he adds.

Initially, Covisint says that it will establish connectivity and supply chain visibility across Shanghai GM and its supplier communities that support power-train and vehicle assembly operations. Covisints platform also will provide local technical support and training to Shanghai GM.

The automotive industry faces globalisation challenges, such as combining new markets with mature markets. For companies like Shanghai GM, this creates tremendous opportunity, says Bob Paul, president and COO of Compuware Covisint. Covisints global platform enables Shanghai GM to go beyond ‘bits and bytes efficiencies and to turn supply chain collaboration into a competitive advantage.