In the fast-paced automotive industry, operational excellence and product reliability are essential, and IVECO Group – a global leader in producing commercial vehicles, engines and specialty vehicles – exemplifies this agility. With operations spanning 19 manufacturing plants and 30 R&D centers worldwide, the company navigates a complex global footprint. Yet in today’s hypercompetitive market, maintaining product reliability has become more challenging than ever, necessitating smarter data strategies and advanced technologies to stay ahead.

By harnessing telematics data, predictive analytics and AI, IVECO is adapting to the industry’s evolving demands, transforming how it approaches reliability, performance and customer satisfaction.

At the heart of this transformation is SAS Viya, a powerful data and AI platform that supports smarter decision-making across the organization. Behind the initiative is Enrica Vaccarino, Advanced Reliability and Analytics Senior Manager at IVECO, who leads the effort to turn billions of data points into tangible business value.

Enhanced reliability and tangible results

With facilities around the globe, IVECO needed a unified solution to consolidate all its data in one place, where its designers, analysts and field teams – regardless of their technical expertise – could use and act on. SAS Viya on Amazon Web Services provides this integration and functionality, allowing the company to make data and reports accessible to employees worldwide.

Vaccarino’s team uses SAS Viya to address two crucial focus areas: telematics data and warranty analytics.

By integrating advanced statistics with machine learning, IVECO can detect potential reliability issues early – often before customers experience them. This predictive, data-driven approach ensures continuous improvements in vehicle performance, product quality and customer satisfaction.

“Thanks to SAS Viya and its advanced analytics on telematics data, we now have a deeper understanding of real-world vehicle conditions and customer behavior,” Vaccarino explains. “Now our decisions are based on objective, accurate data. We can anticipate and prevent many issues before they happen.”

This shift has delivered tangible results, reducing warranty claims and minimizing maintenance costs. Operationally, the benefits are clear: lower expenses, streamlined processes and improved efficiency. Yet beyond cost reduction, the impact extends to one of IVECO’s top priorities – improving customer satisfaction.

“Preventing issues means customers avoid frequent service visits, which enhances their overall product experience,” Vaccarino says. “A satisfied customer becomes a brand ambassador, and that kind of advocacy is invaluable to long-term growth.”

In addition to its analytical power, the ease of use of SAS Viya encourages collaboration, even among non-technical users. Initially deployed within IVECO’s Technology and Digital Engineering team, the platform has expanded to departments such as Quality, Commercial Operations and Product Demand, boosting communication across previously siloed teams.

The vital role of strategic support

Technology, however, cannot deliver results without the proper support infrastructure. For IVECO, upgrading to SAS Premium Support has helped open the full potential of SAS Viya. Vaccarino describes the partnership as transformative.

“SAS support has evolved to provide systematic and proactive assistance,” she says. “Targeted workshops and direct collaboration have enabled our IT and analytics teams to maximize the platform’s functionality confidently.”

With a dedicated point of contact, SAS ensures swift issue resolution, preventing disruptions and maintaining seamless performance across operations.

“Patience, availability and effectiveness are three qualities that define the support team,” Vaccarino says. “They stay composed under pressure, listen closely to our needs and deliver precise solutions quickly. This minimizes downtime and keeps us moving forward.”

Advice for data-driven transformation

Over the years, IVECO has built a strong culture of data-driven decision making, reinforcing its legacy of engineering reliable commercial, industrial and specialty vehicles. With advanced analytics at its core, the company is well-positioned for continued success.

For organizations pursuing their own digital transformations, Vaccarino offers the following advice.

“Adopting cutting-edge technology is essential, but it’s not just about having access to the most advanced solutions,” she says. “It’s imperative to have the right skills and support to unlock their full potential. It’s like owning a Ferrari – you can’t maximize its full capability without exceptional maintenance and service.”