In the fast-paced world of motorsport, where seconds can mean the difference between victory and defeat, speed and precision are paramount—not just on the track, but across every facet of operations. Team Penske, a motorsport powerhouse with a history of over 636 wins and 44 National Championships, understands this better than most. To maintain their competitive edge, they recently adopted a low-code platform to revolutionize their internal processes.

The Challenge: Outpacing Legacy Systems

For years, Team Penske relied heavily on spreadsheets and manual processes to manage their car builds and part logistics. However, as the complexity of racing increased, so did the inefficiencies:

• Fragmented data: Spreadsheets provided disjointed information, making it difficult to track changes or maintain a single source of truth.
• Information silos: Key data resided in separate systems, such as Teamcenter, which meant shop floor employees had to rely on engineers to retrieve critical part information.
• Time-consuming updates: Updating build specifications or comparing data across seasons required digging through multiple spreadsheets and hundreds of rows—a process prone to errors.

“We go racing every weekend, and things are changing all the time,” said Steven Abbey, PLM Business Analyst for Team Penske. “We needed an easy way to change build specifications and ensure that the right parts were on the right car at the right time.”

The Solution: A Low-Code Platform Built for Speed

In 2023, Team Penske sought a solution that could match the speed and agility required in their operations. After evaluating several options, they selected a low-code platform for its combination of flexibility, integration capabilities, and ease of use.

Key Features That Made Low-Code the Winner

1. Customizable user interfaces: The platform enabled tailored interfaces for different user roles, accessible on both mobile and desktop devices.
2. Seamless integration with Teamcenter: A native connection ensured real-time updates and eliminated redundancies.
3. Robust security: Single sign-on and role-based permissions safeguarded sensitive information.
4. Rapid development: With pre-built components and resources, the team delivered their first proof of concept in just one week.

Transforming Operations

The low-code platform allowed Team Penske to tackle their operational challenges head-on. The first application integrated directly with Teamcenter, providing engineers and shop floor employees with a unified source of truth. Here’s how it worked:

• Streamlined build management: The application introduced a structured and easily navigable representation of car builds, replacing cumbersome spreadsheets.
• Simplified part identification: A properties panel and 3D viewer allowed mechanics to access detailed part information without relying on engineers.
• Role-based access: Users logged in through a single sign-on system, which assigned permissions based on their role, ensuring they saw only the data relevant to their tasks.

“The way we designed the system was to provide users exactly what they need, when they need it,” Abbey explained. “This not only saves time but also eliminates errors.”

Delivering Results, Faster

In just two months, alongside deploying the application, Team Penske also upgraded their Teamcenter environment to the latest version without disruption. The transition highlighted the low-code platform’s ability to adapt to evolving needs without requiring extensive rework.

The platform’s ease of use also empowered “citizen developers” within the organization to contribute. By leveraging pre-built components, team members with minimal coding experience were able to make meaningful contributions, reducing the workload on the software development team.

Looking Ahead: A Roadmap for Efficiency

Team Penske’s journey with low-code is far from over. Future plans include:

• Enhanced documentation: Creating a centralized repository for assembly guidance and process documentation.
• Streamlined part ordering: Transitioning from email-based orders to a fully integrated ERP system.
• Efficient change management: Optimizing the change request process to ensure approvals align with their fast-paced workflow.

“We’re excited about the possibilities,” Abbey said. “This platform has already transformed the way we operate, and we’re just scratching the surface of what it can do.”

The Finish Line

As Team Penske prepares for the upcoming racing season, they’re confident that their new low-code applications will keep their operations running as smoothly as their cars on the track. By embracing innovation and prioritizing speed in every aspect of their business, Team Penske is not only setting records on the racetrack but also redefining what’s possible behind the scenes.