Risk Management Software Targets Auto Supply Chain

Risk may be part of the decision-making process, but Vivecon Corp. says its new business intelligence technology offering can help automakers make better choices. The Mountain View, Calif.-based firm's new Strategic Component Manager and Tooling & Capacity Manager software apply financial engineering techniques that factor demand uncertainty and supply risk into carmakers' decisions. The two solutions provide risk monitoring and hedging capabilities that allow manufacturers to anticipate the effects of changing demand and market uncertainty, Vivecon explains. For example, the Strategic Component Manager includes "early warning system" alerts to make users aware of availability constraints, price fluctuations and liability exposures. Such information, suggests Vivecon, can help automakers secure availability commitments and price caps. Says ChainLink Research's Ann Grackin: "Predictive, actionable analytics represent a major step forward in managing the risks inherent in capital equipment investments and procurement commitments."