Siemens has acquired COMSA Computer und Software GmbH, a Munich-based company which develops software for electrical systems design and wire harness engineering.

Its LDorado suite is the leader in automotive harness design and engineering software in Germany, reflecting deep local expertise and market presence with a well-established product portfolio and strong emphasis on standards. The COMSA team and technology will join the Mentor business, part of Siemens PLM Software, where it will add key harness engineering and design data analytics capabilities to the Siemens product range.

Bishop and Associates estimate that in 2017 the worldwide revenue for the cable assembly market was $155 billion with approximately 30% of the market from automotive. According to Cowen Research (Oct.19, 2018), “The wiring harness today is the third highest cost component in a car (behind the engine and chassis). Harnesses are built one at a time and can comprise about 50 percent of the cost of labor for the entire car. The wiring harness is also the third heaviest component (behind the chassis and engine). Any technology that reduces this weight directly contributes to fuel economy.”

Through this acquisition, Siemens plans to extend worldwide the delivery of new technology offerings that address disruption in the automotive harness industry caused by megatrends such as autonomous driving and electric vehicles.

Siemens’ Capital software, part of the portfolio of recently acquired Mentor Graphics, extends from electrical/electronic architecture development through electrical systems design and service into wire harness design and manufacture. The addition of COMSA adds key harness engineering and design data analytics technologies, with strong support for new data standards emerging especially in Europe.