About Tata Motors Design Tech Centre
Tata Motors Design Tech Centre (TMDTC), based in the UK, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors Passenger and Electric Vehicles, and a centre of excellence for automotive design, engineering and innovation. TMDTC leads the global design and concept development for Tata Motors’ expanding passenger and electric vehicle portfolio, turning ideas into real-world prototypes.
When Zoë Knight stepped into her role as Head of HR at Tata Motors Design Tech Centre, she inherited a familiar story: a world-class HR system, SAP SuccessFactors, already implemented, but barely used.
The technology was there. The potential was huge.
But trust in the data was missing.
And without trust, engagement falters; a challenge seen across many automotive and manufacturing businesses.
The Reality Check: A System Sitting in Neutral
SuccessFactors had been rolled out years before, but usage was minimal. The HR team still relied on many manual data inputs. Managers weren’t using self-service. Employees had little visibility.
“It was being used more like a data entry tool than a business system”, Zoë recalls. “There was a strong sense that the system had potential – but it wasn’t delivering.”
That disconnect wasn’t about the software’s capabilities. It was about confidence – in the setup, the data, and the system’s real value.
This is a pain point for many mid-sized businesses investing in digital HR transformation: how do you move from software-as-admin to software-as-strategic-enabler?
Shifting Mindsets: Not a System Problem, a Strategy Reset
Zoë had seen SAP SuccessFactors drive transformation in previous roles. She knew it could enable process automation, HR analytics, and true employee self-service, if used properly.
“The issue wasn’t whether the system could work. It was whether we could trust it. And right then, we couldn’t”, she explains.
Rather than “rip and replace”, Zoë’s team took a bold but refreshingly simple step: reset expectations and rebuild from within.
The journey began with a data cleanse and a new mindset: “SuccessFactors isn’t just a repository – it’s a business tool.”
A Quiet Partner Steps Forward: The Jigsaw Cloud Approach
Jigsaw Cloud had been supporting the business quietly in the background, but with the renewed commitment to SuccessFactors, their role evolved from vendor to trusted partner.
“They became a true partner”, Zoë shares. “Not just stabilising the system, but helping us optimise it for how we work. They didn’t just answer questions – they helped us understand the ‘how’ and the ‘why’.”
From technical configuration to hands-on training, Jigsaw Cloud brought simplicity, clarity, and calm expertise, turning support into enablement.
Rebuilding on Firm Foundations: Engagement, Confidence, Self-Service
The first priority was resetting Employee Central, the core HR module. With a clean data foundation and simplified processes, the team reintroduced employee self-service and built confidence step by step.
And the impact was immediate.
“Confidence started to grow. People actually began using the system, asking questions, giving suggestions. There was a shift in energy – like we’d lit a spark.”
That renewed engagement also strengthened the quality and visibility of HR data across the business.
With a more reliable foundation in place, the team began making greater use of SuccessFactors reporting capabilities and report suite functionality – giving them access to key workforce data that could be turned into meaningful management information and insight.
“We’re now able to use the report suite and key data in a much more meaningful way”, Zoë explains. “It gives us key information we can turn into insight for management and helps us drive our strategic HR agenda.”
With the HR team now equipped and supported, engagement with the system rose, and so did the value TMDTC got from its HR technology investment.
What’s Next: From Stabilisation to Strategic Growth
With the platform now functioning as intended, the team is looking ahead.
Modules like Recruitment are under discussion. Strategic workforce processes are on the roadmap. SAP SuccessFactors is evolving from admin tool to strategic HR enabler, unlocking analytics, automation, and better employee experiences.
“We’re not just thinking about what’s possible. We’re thinking about what’s right – for our business and our people. And Jigsaw Cloud continues to be that sounding board.”
Words of Advice to Other HR Teams
This story will feel familiar to many: a best-in-class HR technology that “ticks all the boxes” but still doesn’t deliver value – yet.
Zoë’s advice?
“Don’t assume the tech is broken. Sometimes it’s the trust that’s missing. With the right support, you can unlock what’s already there.”
What Makes the Partnership Work
“Jigsaw Cloud don’t act like a vendor. They act like a partner. They simplify. They listen. And they genuinely care about helping us do things well.”
Key Takeaways for HR Leaders in Automotive and Beyond:
- SuccessFactors can deliver huge value, if embedded properly
- Rebuilding trust in data is a vital first step
- You don’t need to start from scratch – start with where you are
- The right HR partner brings clarity, not complexity
Ready to unlock the full potential of your HR technology?
Download our practical guide: “Reigniting HR Success: How TMDTC Unlocked the True Power of SAP SuccessFactors”
Or book a free SuccessFactors health check with Jigsaw Cloud.
Jigsaw Cloud don’t act like a vendor. They act like a partner. They simplify. They listen. And they genuinely care about helping us do things well.
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