Think & drive, IFS Cadillac F1 partnership steers more data behind the wheel
Fuel, oil, new tyres, precision-tuned pistons, gloves, helmet and fireproof underwear – check, check, check.
That might have been the checklist for a Formula 1 team driver in pre-milennial times, but not today.
It’s now a question of all of the above, plus a weighty portion of data-driven telemetry for in-race analytics, enterprise technology for core operational support and management so that teams and drivers can push their cars (and themselves too) to the peak of performance.
Known for its work in industrial software deployments at what is normally the less sexy (but no less essential) end of the industrial enterprise software spectrum (think oik & gas, smart cities, construction, manufacturing and so on), IFS is logically being quite upbeat about its new partnership with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team.
Cadillac F1?
Huh? Lumbering luxurious Cadillacs on a Formula 1 race track?
Well yes, this is the highly anticipated (if you like racing) debut for Cadillac in Formula 1.
The partnership (technology vendors like to say “partnership” when they’ve sold a contract, but we can assume that there’s some two-way symbiotic learning at the data science level here, despite the marketingspeak and showboating) sees the organisations both committed to precision, speed and innovation, the pair tell us.
As the Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s official technology partner, IFS is used across multiple areas of the team.
Phased rollout
A phased rollout of technologies began even before the team was granted formal entry to the sport, with core financials and procurement capabilities, expanded to include supply chain, production and quality management.
By supporting areas like inventory and engineering management, IFS says its technology ensures that critical parts are available when the team need them.
By optimising resources and enabling real-time decision-making, IFS says it is enabling the Cadillac Formula 1 Team to make informed decisions on car design and for race operations.
These capabilities streamline operations, reduce manual processes and enable automation – critical for meeting Formula 1’s strict cost cap and technical regulations – so that the Team can perform when it matters most on track.
“The Cadillac Formula 1 team is making a bold entry into one of the world’s fastest-growing and most popular sporting platforms. Formula 1 is a sport where milliseconds matter… and technology can make the difference between winning and losing. By embedding IFS into Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s operations, we’re helping the team gain greater agility, optimise resources and push the boundaries of performance,” said Mark Moffat, chief executive officer at IFS.
In addition to IFS software being used as part of Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s core operations, the partnership will also see IFS branding feature across a platform of team assets, including placements on the race cars, drivers’ and official Team apparel.
“IFS has been instrumental in helping Cadillac Formula 1 Team launch the first new Team to enter Formula 1 for over a decade. We decided to implement IFS early on in our journey – before we even had entry confirmed. It’s helped us rapidly scale our operations by providing tools to establish best practices, manage complexity and accelerate innovation. From supply chain to engineering, IFS software is helping us make smarter decisions so we can focus on what matters most: building a competitive car and delivering results on the track,” said Tyler Epp, global head of commercial strategy of Cadillac Formula 1 Team.
IFS used a Silverstone dateline note on its press announcement for this story.
Gentlemen (and ladies), start your AI model analysis engines.
