S-IT News & Insights

ILA 2026: Why the Aviation Industry can benefit from experience in Electrical Wiring System Development

S-IT — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

With ILA Berlin 2026 now behind us, one of the most important trade fairs for the aerospace industry has come to a close. For S-IT, this year's event was particularly significant, as it marked our first time attending as visitors, with a clear focus on engaging with companies from the aerospace sector.

Our conclusion is overwhelmingly positive.

The discussions at ILA demonstrated that many of the challenges faced by the aerospace industry are very similar to those we have been addressing in the automotive sector for many years. Increasing system complexity, growing demands on electrical architectures, and the need for efficient development and manufacturing processes are challenges shared by both industries.

This was especially evident in the key topics of this year's exhibition. Electrification and hydrogen propulsion are playing an increasingly important role, leading to higher requirements for electrical systems and their development. As electrification advances, the complexity of the underlying wiring harness and onboard electrical network architectures also continues to grow.

This is precisely where we see significant potential for transferring proven methods from wiring harness and electrical distribution system development.

While the automotive industry must also cope with enormous product variation, wiring harnesses in aviation are often considerably more standardized. This creates exciting opportunities for automated, IT-supported development and validation processes. As a result, many approaches that have become established in the automotive industry can be transferred relatively directly to aerospace applications.

Our conversations at ILA confirmed this assessment. Across many discussions, there was clear interest in structured data models, digital development processes, and automated engineering methods.

For our team, the exhibition was therefore not only an excellent opportunity to build new connections but also a confirmation that our experience gained from more than a decade of developing IT solutions for onboard electrical systems is highly relevant beyond the boundaries of the automotive industry.

We will continue to deepen the relationships and discussions initiated at the event over the coming weeks. Aerospace is increasingly becoming an exciting field of application for our expertise in engineering systems, data management, and digital development processes.

We would like to thank Messe Berlin for organizing an outstanding event, as well as all of our discussion partners for the open and engaging conversations.

Two days of PREEvision: New perspectives on E/E architectures and data models

S-IT — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

How do different systems engineering approaches differ, and what impact do they have on day-to-day development work?

These questions were explored by part of our team during a two-day training course at Vector Informatik in Stuttgart.

The focus was on PREEvision, an established development platform for E/E architectures and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). The training was particularly interesting for our team because, through our project work, we are very familiar with Siemens Capital, giving us the opportunity to compare different perspectives on development processes.

While the Siemens Capital environment describes much of the information through diagrams and their relationships, PREEvision places the underlying data model at the center. This approach opens up new possibilities for the structured management and interconnection of development information.

One of the most impressive aspects was the seamless linkage of requirements, functions, and design artifacts within a central model. This provides significant benefits in terms of traceability, consistency, and transparency across different stages of the development process.

At the same time, it became clear that a centralized modeling approach also introduces new challenges. Topics such as data maintenance, model consistency, governance, and integration into existing tool landscapes become increasingly important.

These discussions were exactly what made the training especially valuable. Exchanging views on different approaches helps us evaluate methods and tools not in isolation, but within the context of real-world development processes.

For us, the event was an excellent opportunity to expand our existing knowledge and gain new perspectives on E/E architectures, MBSE, and digital engineering processes.

We would like to thank the Vector Informatik team for the hands-on training, the engaging discussions, and the open exchange of ideas.

We look forward to applying the insights we gained to future projects and technical discussions surrounding wiring harnesses, E/E systems, and engineering systems.

Mini-Workation: Professional exchange and tackling things together

S-IT — Fri, 22 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Sometimes it's worth deliberately stepping away from the day-to-day project routine to create space for new perspectives, technical discussions, and team exchange.

That's exactly what we set out to do during our mini workation.

In the morning, we focused on a topic that is currently on the agenda of many companies in the engineering sector: integrating Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) into existing development processes.

Together, we discussed how system models can be meaningfully integrated into different development workflows and the challenges that arise, particularly at the interfaces between engineering, IT, and various specialist departments. Once again, the open exchange highlighted how essential the close integration of methods, processes, and software solutions is for future-proof development approaches.

In the afternoon, we deliberately shifted our focus from the meeting room to hands-on activities. Together, we planted raised garden beds, pruned trees, and tidied up the outdoor area. In addition, a wiring harness found its place in the office and was installed on the wall as a visible symbol of our daily work.

The day concluded with a barbecue, where the conversations continued in a relaxed atmosphere.

For us, it is precisely this combination of professional development, working together, and personal exchange that makes days like these so valuable.

Interoperability in Engineering: Why standards alone are not enough

S-IT — Fri, 08 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Our colleagues Deepak Sivaprakash and Nicola Wolter attended the Interoperability Summit in Bonn, where they gathered valuable insights from conversations and discussions.

One idea, in particular, stood out: Today, true interoperability often no longer fails because of missing technology or insufficient standards. The real challenge lies in creating tangible business value from interoperable systems.

This is especially important in engineering. Many companies invest in data models, interfaces, standards, and digital processes. However, the benefits of these efforts often only become visible at a much later stage. At the same time, significant upfront investment is required in areas such as structure, data quality, system integration, and process transformation.

For initiatives like these to succeed, technical compatibility alone is not enough. What matters is a well-founded strategy that defines from the outset what goals are to be achieved, which use cases are relevant, and how the resulting value can be measured.

Interoperability is therefore not an end in itself. It must help make development processes more efficient, transparent, and reliable. Only when data can be meaningfully used across systems and organizational boundaries does it provide a solid foundation for new digital ways of working.

This is particularly true for the Digital Twin. It can only deliver its full potential when the underlying information is consistent, interoperable, and available in the right context. Standards provide an essential foundation, but real value is created only through their consistent integration into real-world processes and business objectives.

The discussions at the Interoperability Summit made it clear that this is exactly where the industry needs to continue evolving: at the intersection of standardization, technical implementation, and business value.

We would like to thank the organizers and everyone involved for the open and honest exchange, as well as for the many valuable insights.

Bordnetzkongress 2026: Discussion of current developments in electrical wiring system development

S-IT — Thu, 07 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Two intensive days at the Bordnetzkongress in Ludwigsburg are now behind us.

Our key takeaway: The on-board network and wiring harness industry continues to undergo significant transformation. At the same time, it is clear how important personal interaction remains for discussing current challenges together and developing new perspectives.

For many years, the Bordnetzkongress has provided a well-established platform for exactly this purpose. Expert presentations, panel discussions, and the accompanying exhibition create the ideal setting to put current developments into context and bring together experiences from a wide range of companies and projects.

For our team, the focus was primarily on conversations with visitors, partners, and industry colleagues. These direct exchanges allowed us to strengthen existing relationships, establish new connections, and discuss the future requirements of wiring harness development.

Many conversations highlighted that topics such as complexity management, data quality, system integration, and the increasing digitalization of development processes remain among the industry's key challenges. At the same time, the demand is growing for solutions that better connect development, IT, and engineering data.

Events like the Bordnetzkongress are therefore much more than traditional technical conferences. They provide an opportunity to exchange experiences, gain insights from different perspectives, and work together on the challenges that will shape the industry in the years ahead.

Our sincere thanks go to AWH Conferences for the professional organization and the excellent setting they provided for the event.

We would also like to thank all the visitors for the open conversations, valuable insights, and constructive exchange.

A special thank you goes to our on-site team, who represented S-IT at the congress and had the opportunity to engage in numerous interesting discussions.

We look forward to continuing the conversations initiated during the event over the coming months and to furthering the dialogue at future industry events.

Insights from the prostep ivip Symposium 2026 for the engineering of the future

S-IT — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Two intensive days filled with expert presentations, discussions, and fresh perspectives are behind us. At this year's prostep ivip Symposium in Frankfurt, we had the opportunity to experience the latest developments in digital engineering, systems integration, and the future of industrial product development firsthand.

Under the theme "The Next Frontier": Agentic AI and the Rise of Software-Defined Industry,"** the symposium focused in particular on the impact of emerging technologies on engineering processes and digital value chains.

For our team, the topics that are increasingly shaping wire harness and electrical distribution system development were especially relevant.

One key focus was Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). The growing complexity of modern systems requires new methods to consistently represent requirements, functions, and technical relationships throughout the entire development process. MBSE is becoming an increasingly essential foundation for end-to-end engineering workflows.

Another prominent topic was the Digital Twin. Connecting engineering data across different phases of development opens up new possibilities for analysis, simulation, and validation. Particularly in complex engineering environments, the consistent use of digital models is becoming increasingly important.

The application of Artificial Intelligence in engineering also attracted significant interest. Many of the approaches presented focused on supporting engineering processes, analyzing large volumes of data, and automating repetitive tasks. It became clear that AI delivers the greatest value where high-quality data and well-structured processes are already in place.

These developments offer numerous opportunities for wire harness and electrical distribution system engineering. Topics such as data consistency, systems integration, automation, and digital continuity are becoming increasingly important and will play a key role in shaping the future of engineering processes.

Events such as the prostep ivip Symposium provide a valuable platform for putting current developments into perspective, exchanging experiences, and gaining new inspiration for day-to-day work.

We would like to thank the prostep ivip Association for the excellent organization and for the many insightful discussions with experts from a wide range of industries.

Joint workshop with Nexans: Exchange on challenges in wiring harness development

S-IT — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Personal exchange between companies remains an important success factor when it comes to understanding complex challenges in wiring harness and cable assembly development and jointly developing solution approaches.

As part of a workshop at Nexans autoelectric, we had the opportunity to discuss current topics and challenges from different perspectives and exchange experiences.

From the very beginning, the collaboration was characterized by an open and constructive atmosphere. The focus was on challenges that concern many companies involved in the development of vehicle electrical systems and wiring systems. These include, among other things, the increasing complexity of product data, the ongoing development of toolchains, and the efficient design of development processes.

Particularly valuable was the mutual perspective on existing challenges and potential solutions. Different experiences and viewpoints help to critically evaluate established approaches and gain new perspectives.

Workshops of this kind provide the opportunity not only to examine topics theoretically but also to collaboratively develop concrete issues further and generate new ideas for future projects.

Especially in vehicle electrical system development, where numerous systems, processes, and disciplines are interconnected, progress is often driven by open exchange between development partners and industry experts.

We would like to sincerely thank Claudius Grüner, Oliver Baneux, Stefan Krumm, and the entire Nexans autoelectric team for their hospitality, the engaging discussions, and the enjoyable collaboration.

We look forward to continuing the dialogue we have started and working together to advance further topics related to vehicle electrical systems, wiring harnesses, and engineering processes.

Mini-workation: Working together on collaboration and feedback culture

S-IT — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:00:00 GMT

In day-to-day work, projects, deadlines, and operational tasks often take center stage. That makes it all the more important to consciously set aside time to reflect on and further develop collaboration within the team.

That's exactly what we used our mini workation for.

For one day, we stepped away from our regular work routine and focused intensively on our feedback culture, internal communication, and the way we work together. Our goal was to challenge existing processes, gain new perspectives, and develop concrete approaches for future collaboration.

We were supported by Peter Meyer from mmbPUNKT and Katharina Eichler. Together, we explored various aspects of teamwork and discussed how we, as a team, can work together even more effectively.

The discussions centered around questions such as:

⚙️ How can we provide constructive feedback in our daily work?

⚙️ Which communication channels best support successful collaboration?

⚙️ How can we share knowledge, experience, and perspectives even more effectively?

The open exchange demonstrated how valuable different viewpoints are for a team's development. At the same time, it became clear that successful collaboration doesn't happen automatically—it requires continuous attention and ongoing improvement.

After the workshop, we rounded off the day together with a barbecue and board games. These informal moments sparked many conversations that went beyond the workshop topics and further strengthened our personal connections as a team.

For us, the mini workation was a valuable opportunity to grow closer both professionally and personally. After all, successful projects are built not only on expertise and well-defined processes, but above all on people who communicate openly and work together to find solutions.

Our sincere thanks go to Peter Meyer, Katharina Eichler, and our entire team for their active participation and the many valuable insights they contributed.

Buildability in Cable Harness Manufacturing: A Look Back at the A + B Anwenderforum

S-IT — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 17:00:00 GMT

On November 13, we had the pleasure of attending the A+B Solutions Anwenderforum in Schwäbisch Gmünd.

The event focused on the latest developments in MES, IoT, Manufacturing PLM, system integration, and digital manufacturing processes—topics that become especially relevant wherever complex product data, manufacturing requirements, and existing system landscapes need to be brought together reliably.

We at S-IT also contributed with a technical presentation. Our topic: Why buildability is a critical factor in wire harness manufacturing.

In wire harness development and manufacturing, the demand for consistent data, reliable validation processes, and the early assessment of technical feasibility continues to grow. A buildability service can help systematically evaluate variants, rules, and dependencies while identifying potential conflicts at an early stage.

In our presentation, we highlighted, among other things:

⚙️ The current challenges in wire harness development

⚙️ How a buildability service can be integrated into the development and manufacturing process

⚙️ The role of data quality, rules, and system integration

⚙️ How these approaches can, in the long term, be applied to other areas as well

Our discussions with the participants showed that buildability is increasingly being recognized as a unifying topic connecting engineering, IT, and manufacturing. It is not just about automating individual validation steps. What truly matters is meaningfully linking technical logic, process expertise, and system landscapes.

We would like to sincerely thank A+B Solutions for the invitation, the professional organization, and the successful event. The conversations on site once again demonstrated how valuable practical, experience-driven exchange is when it comes to making digitalization in manufacturing

Looking back at the Unternehmer: EXKURSION at S-IT

S-IT — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Digitalization projects have long become part of everyday business for many medium-sized companies. The key question, however, remains: When does digitalization truly pay off, and what matters most for successful implementation?

That was exactly what we discussed during the Unternehmer:EXKURSION together with the BVMID Federal Association of Medium-Sized Businesses in Germany, Stuttgart Office.

On February 10, 2026, we had the pleasure of welcoming numerous business owners to our premises in Weissach. Following the welcome, Dominik Brown shared practical insights in his presentation into typical decision-making challenges, prioritization criteria, and key success factors for digitalization projects.

One important takeaway from the evening was that the success of such projects often depends less on the technology itself than on the preparation. What truly matters is whether objectives, expectations, benefits, and framework conditions are clearly defined before a project begins.

The presentation was followed by an open discussion featuring a wide range of perspectives. Participants shared experiences, highlighted challenges, and addressed practical questions from their day-to-day business operations.

The personal exchange among the participants was particularly valuable. During the networking session with refreshments and drinks afterward, conversations continued, new connections were made, and further ideas were exchanged.

The evening demonstrated that digitalization in the SME sector is not an abstract topic for the future. It creates real value where specific requirements are understood, processes are thoughtfully improved, and investments are prioritized with purpose.

We would like to sincerely thank the BVMID Stuttgart Office, Ralf Paschnik, and all participants for the excellent collaboration, the open discussions, and a successful evening.

We are especially pleased that all ticket proceeds will be donated in full to the Stuttgart Children's Foundation.