This reinforces Pi Technology’s position as a world leader in the ability to engineer the complex software systems that control all of today’s vehicles, and establishes its quality and process as among the best in the industry.
As software controls more and more of a car’s performance and features, software development is both critical and strategic to the automotive industry. As project schedules get shorter and the pressure on software development costs increases, the potential recall and safety issues due to electronic systems’ malfunction become ever more significant.
To address these issues, the motor vehicle manufacturers have adopted demanding new standards with respect to software quality. ISO/IEC15504 (SPICE) assessment requires companies to submit to detailed examination of the process they follow and the quality they achieve.
Pi Technology has taken the initiative and sought independent assessment to the ISO/IEC 15504 (SPICE) standard for software process assessment. The company has achieved target capability level 3 in the range of processes demanded by the European motor vehicle manufacturers, at a time when most companies are still working at level 2 or below.
The assessment was performed by a team of assessors authorised by Ford of Europe and the Fiat group of companies. The assessment team comprised Alec Dorling, the international convener of the ISO standardisation project and the international SPICE project manager from Impronova (Sweden), and Giuseppe Lami from ISTI-CNR (Italy).
Hilary Knightley, Quality Manager, Pi Technology said, "I am very pleased that our existing quality system has proved sufficiently flexible and adaptable that minimal effort was required to achieve this addition to our portfolio. Being a leader in this area is a real asset to our business.”
The major motor vehicle manufacturers are currently developing a common approach to performing ISO/IEC 15504 (SPICE) assessments with suppliers through a joint Special Interest Group of The Procurement Forum and The SPICE User Group. 'AutomotiveSPICE' builds on current joint initiatives within current manufacturer groupings e.g. HIS. As such, Pi Technology is already well placed to meet these new evolving requirements.
Andrew Parkes, Managing Director, Pi Technology said: “Achieving ISO 15504 Capability Level 3 is recognition of our continuing dedication to quality and technical leadership.”