Dear readers,
A new „mega-trend“ is once again making the rounds in the media: connectivity. What does that mean? Literally translated, one could say „ability to connect.“ Are you surprised? So are we. Because what's new about appreciating the ability to connect?
When it comes to trend analysis, the main focus is on the connectivity between people and machines. Both converge in the Internet of Things via information and communication technology within the digital infrastructure. Networked communication technologies now influence virtually all areas of life, intervening in our lives, changing our interactions, our opportunities, and having far-reaching, systemic, and above all economic consequences.
For 30 years, RWTÜV has been a competent partner in connectivity, not only in Germany but also in Korea, Japan, and the USA, for everything that transmits and receives signals. As corporate management, we at the RWTÜV Group want to keep two key aspects in focus regarding connectivity. Certainly the „technical“ side – for example, with important steps at cetecom advanced as the designated technical provider for the Next Generation eCall. But also, and above all, the human side, with seminars such as our management conference or our AI information event, with celebrations such as CONSULECTRA's 50th anniversary, or with very simple amenities, like new e-charging stations for employees. Because, freely interpreted: „Without people, nothing is anything!“, right?
Best regards
Your
Thomas Biedermann and Fabian Fechner
Festive
Under the motto „Staying the Course,“ CONSULECTRA solemnly celebrated its 50th anniversary and summer festival on September 13, 2024, with 80 invited guests.
During the day, guests were already set up for the event's motto with an Elbe and harbor tour or, alternatively, a visit to the Maritime Museum, offering impressive insights into Hamburg's maritime and shipping history. Well-informed and in good spirits, the guests gathered in the evening for the actual anniversary celebration in and around „Deck 10,“ the museum's banquet hall.
Speeches by Torsten Brinker, Karl-Heinz Mäver, Prof. Dr. Dr. Fritz Westermann, Dr. Herbert Slomski, Andreas Maiwald, Benjamin Jockschat, and Julian Beyer spanned 50 years of CONSULECTRA to a promising future; greetings from RWTÜV Managing Director Fabian Fechner, who was present with Thomas Biedermann, rounded off the program.
A festive dinner buffet formed the highlight of the evening, lively conversations arose from the diverse and inspiring impressions of the day and the preceding lectures.
Certified
Rohde & Schwarz has successfully passed the re-certification of its EU eCall test solution by cetecom advanced: A new EU regulation has been in effect since May 2024, which also affects eCall via GSM and UMTS. Rohde & Schwarz has consequently renewed its eCall end-to-end conformity test solution to comply with all new regulations and standards. With this update, manufacturers and suppliers can meet the new requirements and ensure seamless integration of eCall systems in in-vehicle systems (IVS).
The re-certification by cetecom advanced confirms that the updated eCall test software from Rohde & Schwarz meets the new eCall requirements. As a designated technical service for eCall, cetecom advanced has many years of experience in eCall testing, certification, and standardization, and will continue to rely on a Rohde & Schwarz all-in-one 4G/5G radio communication tester as its test platform for Next Generation eCall conformity tests.
Both companies agreed to continue their collaboration to jointly develop a standards-compliant test solution for Next Generation eCall using 4G and 5G network infrastructures for laboratory testing.
With the joint verification of the NG eCall test software, customers receive a test solution that complies with the latest standards for NG eCall, enabling the industry to introduce Next Generation eCall, which will be mandatory from 2026 for all vehicle manufacturers supplying the European market.
Profiled
A new round of advanced training for executives met for cross-divisional leadership training at the Leinsweiler Hof winery in the Palatinate. In addition to professional topics, team spirit and cooperation were to be strengthened.
The 15 participants from the RWTÜV subsidiaries cetecom advanced, Enoplan, cesitec, apro.gmbh and IB Nordhorn worked on topics such as strategy processes, innovation management, controlling, values, corporate culture, and leadership in transition, among others, under the motto „Entrepreneurs within the Company.” Both individually and in groups, they also discussed „Profile Dynamics and Team Dynamics.“ The agency Klar&Quirlig again supported the theoretical part of the training.
The participants particularly enjoyed the magnificent surroundings of the Palatinate vineyards, which presented themselves in their most beautiful form in radiant autumn weather. Of course, a wine tasting was a must; within this framework, but also during the morning wake-up walk or evening yoga, team building and exchange could wonderfully take place, concluded Natascha Winter, who supervised the program on behalf of RWTÜV.
Trained
Reducing apprehension, providing practical application examples, exploring possibilities, and managing expectations: What can AI really do, how can it support daily work, and most importantly, how can everyone benefit meaningfully? These were the questions answered during an information event for all employees on the topic of AI on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in a Teams meeting, presented by Thomas Schmidt and Jutta Schneider from Helliwood media & education at fjs e.V. They introduced generative AI such as ChatGPT & Copilot and provided insights into some surprising practical applications in daily work.
RWTÜV management now hopes for even more exciting ideas for the ongoing innovation challenge on the RWTÜV campus, which this year is seeking creative and innovative approaches to the topic of AI under the title „NextGen Solutions.“.
Installed
Even more sustainability, even more Corporate Benefits: RWTÜV is upgrading with ten more e-charging stations from smopi® – Multi Chargepoint Solution GmbH. In the parking garage of the corporate headquarters on Kronprinzenstraße in Essen, all employees can now also charge their private cars, where previously only two stations were installed for the company fleet. „We are now able to offer electricity for their vehicles to our colleagues as well,” says Fabian Fechner, Managing Director of RWTÜV, pleased about the measure.
It was natural to commission smopi®, a portfolio company of RWTÜV subsidiary Enoplan GmbH. With their charging ecosystems, the relative newcomer to the industry offers commercial users effective improvement of their charging station profitability through installation, operation, and maintenance, and above all, unified billing for charging processes. „The handling and billing are so convincingly simple: we give an unqualified recommendation for this system to all partners and customers!“ Fechner adds.