共创 | 汽车线束及电子电气架构行业 专家专访（四）

Q1

Could you briefly introduce your presentation topic today?

周磊 :

我下午的演讲主要分两部分：第一部分是维智捷数字化的当前发展状况；第二部分是我们未来的发展计划。希望能给在场听众带来一些有益的经验分享。

Mr. Zhou Lei :

My afternoon presentation is divided into two main parts: the first covers the current development status on Versigent's digitalization, and the second outlines our future development plans. I hope to share some useful experience with everyone among the audience.

Q2

Could you briefly introduce Versigent’s business, global presence, and main strengths?

周磊 :

维智捷前身是安波福，我们是全球领先的汽车电子电气和线束的开发商、解决方案商及生产商。我们在全球25个国家拥有近120家工厂，超过8000名工程师，约13万名员工。简单来说，全球每六辆在跑的汽车中，就有一辆使用维智捷的产品。

Mr. Zhou Lei :

Versigent, formerly Aptiv, is a world-leading developer, solution provider, and manufacturer of automotive electronics, electrical systems, and wiring harnesses. We have nearly 120 factories spread across 25 countries, with over 8,000 engineers, and approximately 130,000 employees. In simple terms, one out of every six cars on the road worldwide uses a Versigent product.

Q3

OEMs and harness manufacturers use a wide variety of designing tools. What are the pain points Versigent face under this context, and what is your resolving strategy?

周磊 :

主机厂使用的软件种类繁多，包括CATIA、CHS、Zuken E3，甚至Vesys。现实是，这些软件开发是定制化、多样化和市场化的，我们必须接受这一现状。维智捷要做的，不是去取代CATIA、Zuken或CHS，这些软件都在正常使用，我们无法也不可能取代。

我们的做法是打造一个数字创新平台，无论客户使用什么软件、什么格式的数据，都能在平台上被使用、规划、整理和分解。我们的策略正是基于此，所以演讲主题就是：数字化是最好的路径。

Mr. Zhou Lei :

OEMs use a wide range of software, including CATIA, CHS, Zuken E3, and even Vesys. The reality is that much of this software development is customized, diversified, and marketdriven, and we have to accept that. What Versigent does is not to replace CATIA, Zuken, or CHS, these are all in normal operation, and we cannot and will not replace them. 

Instead, what we do is building a digital innovation platform that can use, plan, organize, and decompose data ingested from any software or in any format. That is our strategy, and that is why our theme is: digitalization is the best path forward.

Q4

In a nutshell, what is the most direct function of I-Harness?

周磊 :

简单来说四个字：量体裁衣。正如刚才所说，主机厂有各种不同的数据格式和软件，我们需要打造一个数字底座，让不同格式的数据能够被使用、规划、分解和传递。

因此我们开发了I-Harness，它是在CAD软件基础上进行的二次开发。由于线束产品有很多独特之处，我们在开发中融入了大量与线束设计和制造相关的因素。实践证明这条路走对了: 这个平台确实能够吸纳不同数据格式，经过二次加工后，再向制造端传递。

Mr. Zhou Lei :

In simple terms, tailored response. As I mentioned, OEMs have many different data formats and software, so we needed to build a digital foundation that can take those diverse formats and make them usable, plannable, decomposable, and transferrable. This situation led us to develop I-Harness, which is a secondary development based on CAD software. 

Because our wiring harness products have many unique characteristics, we incorporated a large number of harnessspecific and manufacturingrelated factors into this development. Reality has proven that we are on the right track. This platform indeed can integrate different data formats, and transmit them to the manufacturing side after secondary processing.

Q5

During the development of I-Harness, did you first address the unification of underlying data formats, or did you first tackle the collaborative processes among design, engineering, and manufacturing departments? How did you balance the needs of frontend designers and massproduction?

周磊 :

开发工具的根本目的是提升工程师效率，保障数据高质量传递，并实现快速、便捷且有质量保证的制造。因此我们在开发之初就预判了可能遇到的问题。

首先，我们不能只站在设计角度，必须保证设计、制造和质量管理的统一，所以在架构设计时就预留了相应余量。开发过程中没有遇到太大冲突，因为所有数据输入时就被强调：它既服务于设计，也服务于制造。目前已有不少项目正式量产使用I-Harness，效果良好，达到了预期目标。

Mr. Zhou Lei :

The ultimate purpose of developing tools is to improve the efficiency of engineers, to ensure highquality data transfer, and to enable fast, convenient, and qualityassured manufacturing. So, from the very beginning, we anticipated potential issues. 

First, we could not look at this solely from a design perspective. We have to ensure the alignment across design, manufacturing, and even quality control. That is why we reserved the necessary margins during architectural design. During development, we did not encounter major conflicts because of our emphasis on all data input from the start: the data serves both design and manufacturing purposes. Currently, a considerable number of projects have already entered mass production using I-Harness, with good results and achieving the expected outcomes.

Q6

Besides I-Harness, Versigent has several other systems that run across up- and down-stream departments. What are their main functions and features?

周磊 :

I-Harness解决了如何绘制线束图纸和定义工程要求的问题。但线束工厂不仅涉及设计，还有制造、采购、物流、工艺和质量等环节。

采购需要BOM，生产控制需要物流清单，制造需要工艺样板和工艺设计，质量需要全套信息。因此仅有I-Harness是不够的，我们需要围绕它打造更丰富的系统，我称之为“生态”。有了这个生态，I-Harness才能发挥更大作用。

目前我们有两个大的系统：一个基于I-Harness进行深层数据分解，将数据转为各部门所需的不同信息格式；另一个则确保生产端能够满足这些信息需求。这两个系统让I-Harness在生态中游刃有余，将作用发挥到最大。

Mr. Zhou Lei :

I-Harness resolves the issue of drawing wiring harness blueprints and defining engineering requirements. However, a harness factory involves much more than just design. There are manufacturing, procurement, logistics, process engineering, and quality control as well.

Procurement needs BOM, production control requires logistics lists, manufacturing demands process templates and designs, and quality control wants the complete information set. So, I-Harness alone is not enough. We need to build a broader system around it, what I call an “ecosystem.” With this ecosystem, I-Harness can play a much bigger role.

Currently, we have two major systems: one decomposes deeper data based on I-Harness, converting data into the different information formats required by various departments, while the other ensures that the production side can meet those informational needs as well. These two systems enable I-Harness to operate effectively within the ecosystem and maximize its potential.

Q7

From your presentation, we understand that the system can automatically generate delta outputs, such as Delta Layout and Delta Cost, from changing engineering inputs of customers. 

How does this system manage and transmit these deltas from design change to final manufacturing? Is manual intervention required in between?

周磊 :

这是一个很好的问题。我们有I-Harness满足设计需求，又有大的数字生态系统，因此任何数字增量我们都不担心，甚至希望产生更多增量供其他部门使用。

我们的基本思路是：首先确保数字增量的质量，这取决于I-Harness与上下游系统的衔接；其次要保证增量传递不失真。维智捷从开发这套系统至今已有三到四年，期间遇到很多困难。起初确实需要大量人工介入，因为数据衍生后会产生偏差和失真。正是这些失真帮助我们发现了系统的薄弱环节，经过修正后，现在基本可以实现数据无差传递，尤其制造环节。

打个比方：有了这套系统，上海的一位工程师画完图纸，鼠标点击保存后，几分钟内，工厂工人身边的工艺操作面板就会显示变更。以前这种方式几乎不可能，但现在，借助I-Harness和整个生态，这条链路被打通了。底座建成后，后续发展潜力无限。我们现在缺的不是系统，而是创意。

Mr. Zhou Lei :

That is an excellent question. We have I-Harness to satisfy design needs, and we have the larger digital ecosystem, so we are not afraid of any digital increments involved. In fact, we welcome them, even hoping for more increments to be used by other departments. 

Our basic thought is: first, the quality of these digital increments must be assured, which depends on how well I-Harness and our up- or down-stream systems are connected. Second, the increments must be transmitted without distortion. Versigent has been building this system for three to four years now, and we encountered many difficulties along the way. Initially, we did need a lot of manual intervention for deviations and minor distortions that could be introduced by data derivation. It was precisely those distortions that helped us identify weaknesses in our system and areas that need correction. After refinements, we can now transmit data with virtually no errors, especially on the production side.

 To give an example: with this system, when an engineer in Shanghai finishes a drawing and hits "save," within just a few minutes, the process operation panel next to workers in the factory will reflect the change. In the past, this was almost impossible. But now, with I-Harness and the larger ecosystem, this link has been opened and realized. With this foundation in place, the potential for future development is truly limitless. What we lack now are not systems, but ideas.

Q8

What do you see as Versigent’s most desirable breakthrough on its digitalization journey?

周磊 :

我们最想实现的是与客户的闭环连接。

之前我们考虑过多种软件和方法，但发现线束行业有自身独特需求，这也是我们自研工具的原因。我们非常希望工具链不仅限于维智捷内部闭环，还能与客户形成闭环。

未来，当客户车辆发生任何变更，数据能直接传递到维智捷制造端，工人便能知晓变化并调整产品。这条路径打通后，不仅整个行业和生态的响应速度会加快，更重要的是让客户能更便捷地随时掌控需求。

传统方式下，客户变更通过邮件、微信等层层传递，反应慢且易失真。而中国汽车市场对响应速度的要求越来越高，旧方式已不可持续。所以我们先练好内功，有了这两套工具和生态后，再与客户衔接。

今后若客户有任何变更或需求，不必再发邮件或打电话，只需用数字方式告知维智捷需要做什么，我们就能快速实现。

这就是我们最想突破的方向。当内部闭环完成后，我们非常渴望与客户共同探讨实现客户闭环的路径, 这需要客户也参与其中。当然，这套系统对整个市场带来的益处将是巨大的。

Mr. Zhou Lei :

What we want to achieve the most is a closedloop connection with our customers. 

We had previously considered various software and methods, but we found that the wiring harness industry has its own unique requirements, which is the reason why we built this tool in the first place. We very much hope that our tool chain is a closed-loop not just within Versigent, but also with our customers. 

In the future, when a customer’s vehicle undergoes any changes, the data can be transmitted directly to Versigent’s manufacturing end, and our workers will know exactly what has changed and how our products should adjust. Once this path is accessible, it will not only accelerate the response speed of our entire industry and ecosystem, but more importantly, it allows customers to conveniently control what they need at any time.

Traditionally, customer changes were relayed via email, messages, or even WeChat, level-by-level, resulting in slow response and high risk of distortion. With the growing demand of Chinese automotive market on faster response time, that old way is no longer sustainable. Thus, we first focused on strengthening Versigent’s internal capabilities. After we have the two sets of tools and the ecosystem in place, we can then connect ourselves with our customers. 

Going forward, if customers have changes or requirements, they don’t need to send emails or make phone calls. They can simply tell us digitally what Versigent needs to do, and we will help them achieve it quickly. 

That is our most desired breakthrough. Once our internal closed-loop is complete, we are very eager to work with our customers to jointly explore a path towards realizing a customerside closed-loop, which requires customer participation as well. The benefits of this system to our customers and the overall market will be enormous, of course.

Q9

As both a speaker and a participant at this forum, how do you find today’s conference? What are some key takeaways?

周磊 :

首先感谢主办方牧极公司，活动组织非常出色。去年我曾来演讲，整体环境和内容质量都很高，今年更上一层楼。

一方面说明市场和行业在进步，另一方面主办方也在紧跟市场节奏。我希望今后每年都能参与这样的活动，也期待牧极公司继续组织。

另外，上午的演讲提供了很多信息，有些内容即便我在行业多年也是第一次发现或注意到, 原来这个领域还有如此大的发展空间。我非常期待下午和明天能分享到更多高质量的内容。

Mr. Zhou Lei :

First, I would like to thank the organizers, M&G, for an excellent event. I spoke here last year, and the overall atmosphere and presentation quality were very high. 

This year, I see the quality improving even further on two fronts: first, the market and the industry are progressing, and second, the organizers are clearly keeping up with the market. I hope to participate in such events every year in the future, and I look forward to M&G continuing to organize them.

Also, the morning presentations provided a lot of valuable information, and some insights were new, even for me, having been in this industry for many years. I discovered potential development areas I had never noticed before. I am very much looking forward to even more highquality sharing this afternoon and tomorrow.