Optimization of business processes in the automotive industry

The professional community Global CIO brings together IT leaders from various industries. Understanding the differences in IT management across sectors like healthcare, retail, industry, and arts institutions is crucial.

Today, the Global CIO editorial team interviewed Golib Khusainov, the CIO of Uzavtosanoat. Uzavtosanoat JSC is a holding company that coordinates automotive manufacturing enterprises and automotive localization and components enterprises in Uzbekistan. Today, the Uzbek automobile industry is one of the most dynamically developing sectors of the country's economy, an example of Uzbekistan's export ability and plays an increasingly important role in the development of the country's foreign economic activity.

1. Please tell us a few words about yourself.

I have been working in the IT industry for 20 years. I started my career as a user support specialist in the banking sector, then moved into telecommunications. For the past four years, I have been focused on IT in the automotive industry. My work revolves around digital transformation, optimizing business processes, and implementing cutting-edge technologies.

2. What is unique about your company’s business from an IT perspective?

The automotive industry requires a high level of automation, integration, and operational continuity. Our factories produce components for General Motors Uzbekistan, so our IT infrastructure must ensure precision, reliability, and speed. What makes our IT operations unique is the synchronization of multiple production and logistics processes through unified digital platforms.

3. How relevant is digital transformation for your company? What have been the key milestones in this process? What are your main goals for digital transformation, and what projects have you already implemented to achieve them?

Digital transformation is a top priority for our company. One of the most significant milestones in this process has been the implementation of SAP S/4HANA, which has digitalized all business processes. While we are still refining certain aspects of the system, particularly in the FI and MM modules, most of the core functions are operational, and our users have reached a higher level of efficiency. Business stakeholders are satisfied with the results. In addition, we are implementing ERP systems across other factories to create a fully integrated IT ecosystem.

4. Our community is already familiar with your project, which was featured in the Project of the Year contest. Let’s discuss the most interesting aspects of this implementation.

The main challenge in implementing SAP S/4HANA was the scale of the project and the complexity of our business processes. We had to carefully adapt the system to the specific requirements of automotive manufacturing, integrate it with existing workflows, and train employees. Despite the challenges, the successful implementation has led to the automation of key operations, increased data transparency, and faster decision-making. While we continue to refine the system, the project has already proven its value to the business.

LineStop System Boosts Productivity at JSC Uzavtosanoat

Eliminating bottlenecks in manufacturing is where automation can generate significant financial gains for a business. Golib Khusainov, CIO of Uzavtosanoat, shared how the company’s internal IT team implemented the Line Stop System — an automated platform that detects and reports production line stoppages in real time without human intervention.

5. Tell us about your IT team. As a leader, what do you focus on?

My team consists of experienced professionals, each playing a crucial role in the company’s digital transformation. As a leader, I focus on strategic IT development, ensuring effective collaboration between IT and business, and fostering continuous learning. It’s not just about implementing new systems but also about ensuring their efficient use.

6. How does the role of a CIO in your industry differ from other industries?

In the automotive industry, the CIO is not just responsible for IT infrastructure but also plays a key role in optimizing production processes. IT is deeply integrated with manufacturing, where every minute of downtime can lead to significant financial losses. Therefore, a CIO’s main responsibility is to build a reliable, flexible, and highly efficient digital ecosystem.

7. What are your development plans? Could you share your most important projects for this year or the next couple of years?

In the coming years, we plan to complete the integration of ERP systems across all our companies, creating a unified digital environment for the entire group. The next step is to implement advanced analytics tools to improve data-driven decision-making and process optimization. We are also exploring the use of artificial intelligence to forecast demand and enhance logistics management.

8. Complete the sentence: It’s important for an IT leader to remember that...

…technology should bring real value to the business, not exist for its own sake. Successful digital transformation is only possible through close collaboration with users and a clear understanding of business objectives.