You would be hard-pressed to find an industry today that big data doesn’t have an impact on. With stiff competition and the need to get insights into what customers think about and want from products, analytics has taken on a life of its own. The use of advanced analytics is so widespread that many of the top sports organizations in the U.S. use them for player development, create strategies, and draw up plays on the fly.

With the many different ways analytics are being used across various industries, it should come as no surprise to find the use of operational intelligence tools in the auto industry. Top automakers are always trying to make their vehicles more advanced and more affordable, and it would be hard for them to do either of those things without the use of big data. Continue reading to learn some of the exciting uses for manufacturing analytics in the automotive industry.

Manufacturers use analytics to create safety features for new vehicles.

One of the harsh realities of driving is that the more you spend on the roadways, the more likely you are to be involved in a car accident—it’s the law of averages. That’s the reason federal law dictates that drivers must have at least liability insurance, which is a form of collision coverage that covers property damage and bodily injuries caused by the fault party.

By using data analytics, manufacturers get actionable insights into the most common mechanical problems that cause accidents and work to mitigate them. Teen drivers and their parents benefit greatly from many of the safety features brought to use by analytics.

One of the greatest safety features is automobile connectivity which allows automobiles to send data reports that parents can use to monitor their teens’ driving. Using the internet of things (IoT), cars can transmit data about a car’s braking, accelerating, and cornering, which together can give you an accurate picture of how your youngster drives when you’re not with them. Imagine a new car that sends you driver data in real-time and can even alert authorities if you’re in an accident and incapacitated as a result.

Not only do connected cars help to increase the car’s value and keep your kid safe behind the wheel, but these safety features often lower rates on comprehensive car insurance plans. Driver data, automated roadside assistance, and lower comprehensive coverage rates? Sign us up, please!

Analytics helps car manufacturers with supply chain management.

Changes tend to happen quickly in the manufacturing industry, and every other industry is relying on manufacturers to stay on top of these changes. Manufacturing analytics provides automakers with the tools they need to make major adjustments in production in real-time. One of the best things about using big data for supply chain management is that it’s one of the best ways to find better prices on the raw materials you need for production.

Using analytics for optimization of your supply chain will help get rid of bottlenecks in production and prevent products from being backed up on the factory floor due to changes in the market. Predictive analytics helps you to see what’s coming and prescriptive analytics helps you to develop a strategy for what’s coming.

Big data helps manufacturers to stay a step ahead of equipment failures.

Few things eat into an automaker’s profits like having to shut down shop because of equipment failures. When your manufacturing equipment goes down, it hurts production, sales, and your reputation with your customers. Many manufacturers use predictive analytics to stay on top of equipment maintenance and keep their factories running.

Using predictive analytics, you can forecast what kind of maintenance your machines will need and when so you can plan for maintenance ahead of time and never miss a beat. Using analytics to get actionable insights about your manufacturing equipment can save your company a lot of money in downtime and repair costs.

Analytics has helped manufacturers make cars safer, optimize their supply chains, and keep their factories running at tip-top shape. It will be exciting to see what creative ways they come up with to use big data over the next few years.