Online Deliveries are no longer a discussion; it is a reality – Suzuki Garphyttan and Align Consulting celebrating the successful IFS Cloud 25R2 implementation

Align Consulting (“Align”) has successfully delivered the IFS Cloud 25R2 release update with the new Delivery Continuity feature for Suzuki Garphyttan (“SG”), a global automotive manufacturer with production sites in the US, Mexico, UK, Germany, Sweden, and an implementation of the  site in China. With operations running 24/7, it is virtually impossible for SG to find a maintenance window that does not impact at least one site, making low‑downtime deployments essential.

Twice a year, in May (1) and November (2), IFS releases (R) a new version. The latest available is hence from last year (2025) and there you have the naming logic: 25R2. The lift to IFS Cloud 25R2 was planned, coordinated and executed by consultants at Align. This release marks a major step in IFS Cloud’s evolution, introducing EBR (Edition‑Based Redefinition) compliance with a revised technical architecture that simplifies future upgrades by facilitating Online Deliveries. Align supported SG through the full 25R2 transition, ensuring that all customizations and integrations remained intact while complying with the new architecture.

A key element of the project was SG’s decision to utilize the new Delivery Continuity feature, introduced in 25R2, which supports online deliveries with significantly reduced downtime. During the first online delivery, the actual downtime was only 15 minutes, enabling SG to maintain production across its global sites with almost no disruption—a major milestone for a continuous‑manufacturing environment.

SG’s IFS solution is complex, with multiple customizations built into the solution. Despite this complexity, the team delivered the 25R2 upgrade within the initially agreed timeline along with high quality, receiving strong feedback from SG on the overall process. The system has now been running on 25R2 for more than a month without any major distributions, demonstrating the stability and quality of the deliverables. The experience has also set a ground for future efficency through AI capabilities.

Align also had really good collaboration with IFS during the project through the Pioneer Program, a special initiative to support early‑adopter customers on the latest 25R2 release. Working closely with IFS through this program allowed the team to apply quick fixes, leverage early guidance, and help SG get the most out of the new 25R2 capabilities from day one.

For global high-tech manufacturers like SG, upgrading IFS Cloud must be predictable, safe, and aligned with continuous production. This project illustrates how the combination of EBR‑ready architecture, a structured Pioneer‑level engagement and competent partner collaboration can deliver a complex cloud upgrade with minimal disruption and maximum business value.