Subaru's Data Detour: From Data Junkyard to Joyride

Subaru, known for its rugged all-wheel-drive vehicles, has embarked on a journey as challenging as any off-road adventure: conquering the chaos of siloed data. With Informatica's AI-powered Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) at the wheel, Subaru is shifting gears from data disarray to a streamlined, customer-centric operation.

Data scattered like spare parts

In 2019, Subaru's data was fragmented, spread across various departments like parts in a junkyard. Each division had its system, making it nearly impossible to gain a comprehensive view of the company's operations.

Subaru recognized that staying ahead required more than impressive designs and powerful engines. They needed to harness the power of their data. That's when Informatica's IDMC stepped in.

IDMC, the Ultimate Data Mechanic

IDMC acts as Subaru's master mechanic, connecting, cleaning, and organizing data from every corner of the company, creating a unified and accessible source of truth.

As Kentaro Ichikawa, chief of the data management and utilization promotion department at Subaru Corporation, explains: "With the help of Informatica, we are able to connect, integrate, and strengthen our data linkage as early as technical development and design stages, and thus improve the quality of our car manufacturing."

Final destination: Business and customer value

Now, insights flow seamlessly across departments, empowering employees to make informed decisions and create exceptional customer experiences. IDMC has cataloged approximately 400 data assets, providing a comprehensive map of Subaru's data landscape. This newfound visibility is driving tangible improvements:

• Improved manufacturing quality: By connecting data from the earliest design stages, potential issues are identified and addressed, preventing costly problems later in production.
• Enhanced customer experience: A 360-degree view of customer data enables Subaru to personalize interactions, anticipate needs, and offer a seamless experience throughout the ownership journey.
• Empowered employees: Access to reliable data allows Subaru's workforce to make informed decisions, drive innovation, and focus on their core strength: building exceptional vehicles.

"The transformation brought Subaru closer to realizing our two missions as it not only benefited our employees' productivity level but also enhanced the customer experience," said Ichikawa.

Taito Kozawa, country manager and president of Informatica Japan adds: "Subaru’s decision to move to a single, AI-powered cloud data management platform with a consumption-based pricing model allowed them to advance at their own pace and remain flexible and adaptive to their business environment and needs."

The bottom line

Subaru's data-driven transformation is more than just an IT upgrade; it's a strategic shift impacting every aspect of the business. By embracing Informatica's IDMC, the company is driving toward a future where data empowers innovation, customer satisfaction, and business success.

Subaru is not just building better cars; they're building a better company, one data point at a time.

Image credit: iStockphoto/simak