LieberLieber Software: Cooperation with msg Plaut

At msg Plaut in Vienna, the Enterprise Architect modelling platform has been used in customer projects for some time now, as the demand for model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is constantly growing, especially in the automotive sector. Dipl.-Ing. Stefan Wachter, Manager BCC Automotive, msg Plaut: "One of our customers from the automotive supply sector wanted to further expand its modelling capabilities. That’s why we asked Daniel Siegl from LieberLieber to hold a workshop there on Enterprise Architect and LemonTree. As we are seeing a significant increase in demand for modelling expertise, we are very pleased to be able to further expand this partnership with LieberLieber."

Joint automotive pilot project

The joint pilot project of msg Plaut and LieberLieber is about system modelling in SysML at a Tier 1 automotive supplier, which means that it supplies the car manufacturer directly. The supplier deals with fully electric drive systems (inverter, gearbox and e-motor). During the introduction of the system modelling of the e-drive system, he is supported in MBSE by msg Plaut, who in turn exchange information with LieberLieber on an ongoing basis on questions relating to the use of the modelling tools (especially with regard to LemonTree). The main goals of the modelling are to structure the system functions with regard to reusability in the platform and to improve the documentation. In addition, the modelling should be integrated into the existing process and tool landscape as simply as possible.

Enterprise Architect is used as the modelling platform, and modelling is done in SysML. An application lifecycle management (ALM) tool is used to keep requirements and diagrams up to date at all times; it is also used for reviews of the SysML diagrams. For distributed work, Git (versioning) and LemonTree (merging of models in line with configuration management according to ISO 26262) are used.

The model is primarily developed for the platform project, which is the basis for customer projects in the proposal and development phase. However, customer-specific interfaces and design solutions (e.g. in the selection of sensor technologies) must be taken into account.

Florian Wagner, MSc, works at msg Plaut as a Business Consultant in the Manufacturing business unit: "Experience with MBSE at the automotive supplier so far shows an improvement in the quality of requirements and the reusability of model parts across different customer projects. The diagrams used also lead to a better understanding of the functions and thus to deeper insights from the review processes. This will be an advantage especially when training new employees in the projects."

Deepened cooperation between LieberLieber and msg Plaut

After this first, successful cooperation with a client, the time was ripe for further cooperation in the automotive sector. While msg Plaut, as usual, acts as an independent consultant and implementer, LieberLieber is called in as a know-how provider for all aspects of modelling when required. Dr. Konrad Wieland, CEO of LieberLieber, explains: "LieberLieber focuses entirely on MBSE with tools such as Enterprise Architect and LemonTree. As proven modelling specialists, we gain access to a more business and strategic view through the partnership with msg Plaut. The combination of these complementary skills opens up great economic potential for both partners, which we intend to exploit in specific projects."

Communicating the advantages of MBSE

One of the central tasks of the two partner companies is to clearly communicate the advantages of MBSE in the projects. For example, the initial situation in the pilot project described above was not easy: the customer had initially set up a document-based platform before the desire arose to work model-based after all. Now the task was to demonstrate the comprehensive improvement possibilities associated with the use of MBSE:

– Reusability of models

– Less training required

– Highest security requirements are met

– Audit-proof traceability of development steps, etc.

Wagner already learned about the benefits of MBSE/SysML at a previous employer and teaches MBSE at the FH Campus Wien in the "Safety and Systems Engineering" degree programme. Now he is pleased to be able to convince companies of the technical and economic potential of the future-oriented method together with LieberLieber: "I was taken on directly by msg Plaut for the automotive supplier’s project. The customer had already ordered Enterprise Architect and LemonTree from LieberLieber and my task now is to integrate everything into the existing tool chain. I get excellent support from LieberLieber in this, and together we focus on bringing the benefits of model-based system development (MBSE) to the customer step by step as the project progresses."

Joint appearances strengthen the perception of the new partnership

Florian Wagner has been running the virtual Safety Corner https://safetycorner.wagnerflorian.eu/index.php/de/ since the first Corona Lockdown, which has also become very popular at msg Plaut. "I wanted to exchange ideas with people with specific expertise in the safety sector and also make them known to a wider professional audience. In the first Corona Lockdown, I then had time to start the project, which is developing very positively." As LieberLieber also wants to strengthen the community in the field of MBSE, they organised the 1st MBSE Summit in Traunkirchen together with Johannes Kepler University Linz (23 + 24 June 2022). Several working groups were launched there, the one on "MBSE and security" began with an introduction speech by Wagner. "Strengthening the community around model-based systems engineering is an important concern for both companies. So we are very pleased to have found a proven expert in Florian Wagner from msg Plaut, who will actively shape the work in the security working group. In this way, we are jointly addressing this topic, which is so important for the industry, and are working together to communicate the many advantages of MBSE on a broader basis," explains Wieland.

At a recent joint presentation at the Swiss-Austrian-Liechtenstein Chamber of Commerce, the two companies also addressed the topic of cyber security. Daniel Siegl, Florian Wagner and Borislav Nikolov (msg Plaut) used practical examples to demonstrate the new possibilities of automated threat analysis and risk assessment. ThreatGet, a product jointly developed by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Lieber.Group, is available for this purpose. With ThreatGet, a development process can be analysed and assessed for cyber threats from the very beginning. This approach will become increasingly important due to new legal requirements, especially in car development.

About msg Plaut

msg Plaut is a corporate group with independent companies in Austria, CEE and CIS, headquartered in Vienna. The group employs around 600 people in seven countries.

In Austria, around 200 employees at three locations work on intelligent IT and industry solutions with self-developed and standard products. We are reliable, experienced, global and yet flexible, committed and empathetic: "The best of both". This is also reflected in our projects and customers. msg Plaut combines business management, strategic consulting with future-oriented, sustainable value-creating IT solutions.

We support customers with a broad range of services in the areas of SAP and Microsoft consulting, financial services, individual software development, test and quality management, cloud transformation and digital platforms, among others.

https://www.msg-plaut.com/at/