The automotive industry employs around 775,000 people and is regarded as the driving force behind German economy. Its strong export orientation, with the world's highest export rate of 69%, is particularly noticeable in the annual turnover of 368 billion euros. The companies in the automotive industry exhibit a high level of innovative ability and technological competence, which are absolutely essential to survive in the constant structural and technological change.
Challenges for the software use in the automotive industry lie in the series production and synchronized production that is customary in the industry. In addition, the processing of multi-level supply chains, the mapping of master contracts, the processing of delivery schedules and detailed call-offs, as well as the mastering of EDI standards is absolutely necessary.