Client Success Story
Auto Supplier Fast-Tracks Tier 1 Readiness with Unified Bid Response and Program Management
Industry: Manufacturing, Automotive Supplier
Solution: MCA Connect AutoCONNECT™ (built on Dynamics 365 Sales and Project Operations), MCA Connect Inspire Platform® (built on Azure), Power Platform
Challenge
The Tier 1 Auto Supplier Challenge
A thermal insulation manufacturer had a breakthrough: their material worked perfectly for EV batteries. That insight led to a full pivot toward becoming a Tier 1 supplier in the auto industry (a shift that required strict compliance, fast OEM response times, and visibility across multi-year programs).
But their systems weren’t built for it.
They were piecemealing together Salesforce for CRM, Oracle for ERP, and AWS for cloud hosting. With no shared data model, no program cost tracking, and no support for industry-specific processes like bid response or release accounting, they were looking at driving blind.
They needed more than a platform. They needed a partner who understood the auto industry and could establish a system that would guide them through the complexities.
Solution
A Unified, AI-Powered Platform
MCA Connect enhanced Salesforce and replaced disconnected tools with an integrated solution built for Tier 1 automotive demands, MCA Connect AutoCONNECT™ built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Experience (CE).
Dynamics 365 Sales and Project Management
We led with Dynamics 365 Sales and Project Management, part of the Customer Experience (CE) suite, to launch mission-critical sales and program workflows before ERP go-live. That included:
- MCA Connect AutoCONNECT™ – our automotive bid response accelerator built on D365 Sales to support APQP stages, cost tracking, and OEM documentation requirements
- Project Operations – configured to manage every model-year program, track costs, and organize documentation
- Power Platform – to create workflows that reduce administrative friction and give teams visibility into who owns what
This eliminated the need for costly customizations of Salesforce or to buy a third-party solution. And, it got them live faster.
MCA Connect Inspire Platform® (Azure Data & AI)
Inspire Platform is an industry-built, AI-powered modern data platform that helped leadership visualize opportunities to streamline operations, unify sales and program management, and track real program costs. MCA Connect repaced AWS with Azure and Fabric for unified data management and reporting through Inspire Platform.
In total, the MCA Connect team helped identify and prioritize 673 improvement opportunities across their operations, many of which are now already in progress.
Results
Results
With the Microsoft platform in place, the company now:
Responds to RFQs faster and more accurately across 6 OEM programs
Manages cost, timing, and documentation from RFQ to delivery
Eliminated 90+ spreadsheets used for tracking programs, tasks, and costs
Has clear insight into which customers and programs are most profitable
Will go into ERP rollout with clean data and tested processes already live
Their leadership team now has what they need to deliver to OEMs without missing deadlines or getting docked on supplier scorecards.
What’s Next?
ERP Upgrade on the Horizon
MCA Connect is supporting a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain implementation with plans to go live in 2026. In the meantime, Inspire Platform continues to power sales planning and give program managers better forecasting tools.
The company is also evaluating the same platform approach for other verticals like aerospace and defense.
About MCA Connect
MCA Connect modernizes supply chains end-to-end through transformative consulting, unified data for business insights, process optimization and automation, AI and advanced decision making, and business application implementation.
As Microsoft’s top manufacturing and distribution partner, we combine global reach, seasoned experts, leading-edge tech, and a focus on business strategy.
Need help solving a difficult challenge? Want to modernize your business? Let’s talk!
