The Power of Secure Engineering Data Exchange
Success in the automotive supply chain requires speed, precision, and above all, security. Your engineering teams are constantly innovating, designing, and collaborating on complex projects that push boundaries. But are your current file-sharing practices empowering this innovation, or might they be creating bottlenecks and exposing your valuable intellectual property to unnecessary risks?
In our recent webinar, Lee Hall, Global Supplier Integration Manager at JLR, joined Managing Director at Linecross, Stuart Fry, Amir Zarandouz from Wiwy Studios and our own Head of Digital, Mike Byrne, to explore the transformative advantages of adopting a dedicated, secure data exchange solution. You can view the full recording here: Secure Your Engineering Data with mymxdata
For more in-depth discussion on challenges in automotive data management, browse our schedule of upcoming webinars
Risky shortcuts: Ad hoc file sharing
When the pressure is on, it’s understandably tempting to use whatever tool is closest to hand, or most familiar, to keep the project moving along. In terms of data exchange, that can mean using channels such as email attachments, cloud storage platforms like Dropbox, or quick file transfer services like WeTransfer to get your data where it needs to go as quickly as possible.
However, these tools were not built to handle sensitive engineering data. They lack robust version control, making it easy for outdated information to circulate. They lack clear audit trails, making it difficult or impossible to track who has accessed or edited what data and when. And they often lack sufficient encryption, leaving commercially sensitive designs or intellectual property vulnerable to interception or theft.
Regaining control over data exchange
In an ideal scenario, rather than relying on a disparate set of tools which “get the job done” at the expense of increased risk, you’d have complete control over who accesses your critical engineering data, where it is sent, and when that happens.
Purpose-built secure data exchange platforms like mymxdata are designed from the ground up to provide exactly that. They offer granular access controls, allowing you to define precisely who can view, download, or comment on files at the very point of transfer. So, if something changes, you can revoke or adjust access instantly, maintaining control of the data.
As Mike Byrne demonstrated in the webinar, this control is further strengthened by advanced security features: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to ensure that only verified users can access the system, and robust end-to-end encryption (256-bit or Anonymize, Shard, and Restore (ASR) technology, to protect data in transit and at rest.
Streamlining collaboration, boosting efficiency
When your teams and supply chain partners are working within a dedicated, secure platform, the risk of rework and miscommunication is significantly reduced, as everyone is confident they are working from the same, most up-to-date files. Automatic notifications for file uploads and downloads keep everyone in the loop, and the ability for users to comment directly on file transactions keeps communication centralised and relevant.
And as platforms like mymxdata are purpose-built to handle the large file and batch sizes common within automotive engineering, there’s no longer a need to break down packages to facilitate transfer, a practice prone to causing delays and errors. Users can simply share or forward files in-platform, within a couple of clicks.
Ensuring compliance and building trust
Secure data exchange solutions are also instrumental in helping automotive OEMs and their suppliers maintain compliance with strict industry standards and regulations such as GDPR and ISO 27001. For businesses in specialised sectors, these platforms can even facilitate compliance with specific requirements, for example, HIPAA for US healthcare sector clients. And, the level of robust, active governance possible through such solutions, coupled with transparent audit trails, provides demonstrable proof of secure data handling, which is invaluable for building and maintaining trust with clients, partners, and your entire supply chain.
Real-world wins: how businesses are benefiting today
The benefits aren't just theoretical – businesses are already reaping the rewards. As Lee Hall described in the webinar, Jaguar Land Rover has seen MX evolve from an engineering tool in 2019 to an enterprise-wide solution used across manufacturing, creative, marketing, and prototypes, with over 4,000 active users and 60,000 transactions a year.
Linecross Group, represented by Stuart Frey, has progressed from the frustrations of legacy systems to a secure, auditable process that provides peace of mind and tangible ROI. And marketing agency Wiwy Studios, as we heard from Amir, leverages mymxdata not just for secure client file exchange and HIPAA-related needs, but also for managing large creative files and maintaining a professional, on-brand experience for their clients.
If you’d like your organisation to realise similar benefits, Majenta can help. We offer a range of secure data exchange solutions, tailored to the varying needs of suppliers and OEMs – from the mymxdata platform discussed in the webinar, to the highly integrated SRM solutions in use at market leaders like JLR. To find out more, get in touch using the link below.
