Some things are best done the old fashioned way.
BMW Group and CRITICAL Software have concluded the creation of a joint venture – Critical TechWorks. It allegedly will combine both partners’ expertise in premium mobility and automotive software engineering for the development of on- and off-board applications. The BMW Group holds a 51% stake in the new company, which employs around 200 people at its locations in Lisbon and Porto in Portugal. Critical Software and BMW Group have equal representation on the joint venture’s management team. There are plans to expand the workforce to up to 500 employees in 2019, with further increases going forward.
Critical TechWorks represents an addition of unknown importance to the BMW Group’s global innovation network in IT and software development. With increased involvement in the field of digitalization, BMW Group is pursuing its transformation into a mobility-tech company and actively shaping the digital shift in the automotive industry.
The task for Critical TechWorks is development and operation of high-end software solutions in various areas. Employing “agile” development methods, the joint venture’s specialists will use BMW Group data to create business models and develop knowledge-based products. The range of innovations extends from in-car infotainment and digital services, to autonomous transport systems for production, to digital sales and aftersales platforms, and highly-integrated solutions for product data management.
“We are selectively expanding our IT and software expertise and enhancing our inhouse capabilities. Starting today, in addition to our locations worldwide, we will also be developing digitalization and automation of product development, production and sales here in the heart of this fast-growing IT hotspot,” said Klaus Straub, Senior Vice-President BMW Group Information Management.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Critical TechWorks JV with BMW Group and Critical Software
Some things are best done the old fashioned way.
BMW Group and CRITICAL Software have concluded the creation of a joint venture – Critical TechWorks. It allegedly will combine both partners’ expertise in premium mobility and automotive software engineering for the development of on- and off-board applications. The BMW Group holds a 51% stake in the new company, which employs around 200 people at its locations in Lisbon and Porto in Portugal. Critical Software and BMW Group have equal representation on the joint venture’s management team. There are plans to expand the workforce to up to 500 employees in 2019, with further increases going forward.
Critical TechWorks represents an addition of unknown importance to the BMW Group’s global innovation network in IT and software development. With increased involvement in the field of digitalization, BMW Group is pursuing its transformation into a mobility-tech company and actively shaping the digital shift in the automotive industry.
The task for Critical TechWorks is development and operation of high-end software solutions in various areas. Employing “agile” development methods, the joint venture’s specialists will use BMW Group data to create business models and develop knowledge-based products. The range of innovations extends from in-car infotainment and digital services, to autonomous transport systems for production, to digital sales and aftersales platforms, and highly-integrated solutions for product data management.
“We are selectively expanding our IT and software expertise and enhancing our inhouse capabilities. Starting today, in addition to our locations worldwide, we will also be developing digitalization and automation of product development, production and sales here in the heart of this fast-growing IT hotspot,” said Klaus Straub, Senior Vice-President BMW Group Information Management.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.