Pöttinger

Agile software development accelerated the path to new markets

The successful development of the control system played a key role in advancing Pöttinger’s new precision seed drill and enabling entry into new markets. Gofore’s specialised software development expertise supported the product development team in ensuring system quality and laid the foundation for future development.

OBJECTIVE

A new control system to support product development

Pöttinger, an Austrian manufacturer and one of the world’s leading agricultural machinery producers, sought to unlock new business opportunities by expanding its offering to include precision seed drills. The goal was to combine Pöttinger’s control system with the precision seeding expertise of its subsidiary MaterMacc, thereby creating a new solution for growing markets.

“The success of the project was also critically important because it was the first time we wanted to concretely demonstrate the integration of Pöttinger and MaterMacc in practice,” says Marco Feltrin, who was responsible for the development of the control system in Italy.

A key part of the product development process was ensuring that the control system for the precision seed drill would operate reliably in various conditions and scale across different configurations. At the same time, the aim was to build a sustainable foundation for future system development. To achieve these objectives, the control system development team required strong software development expertise.

“The collaboration was about working as one team rather than with an external partner. This was evident, for example, in how solutions were always considered from a holistic perspective, not just from the viewpoint of individual components."

Marco Feltrin, Head of Mechatronics, Pöttinger

SOLUTION

Agile software development and close collaboration

Pöttinger received the specialised expertise it needed for control system software development from Gofore. The collaboration was carried out smoothly across borders: Gofore’s expert effectively worked as part of the Italian team, enabling close communication and ensuring the project progressed according to schedule.

“The collaboration was about working as one team rather than with an external partner. This was evident, for example, in how solutions were always considered from a holistic perspective, not just from the viewpoint of individual components,” Feltrin explains.

The control system was developed as embedded software. The solution utilised the C programming language as well as the CANopen protocol based on an open standard. Around Pöttinger’s main control unit, a system was built that enables the control of various devices and the management of different hardware configurations.

“The idea was that the system could dynamically identify and control different units without requiring separate customisation for each version,” says Gofore software developer Hannu Korhonen, who was involved in the project.

OUTCOME

Successful development opens doors to new markets and long-term growth

Based on testing, the control system operates reliably as part of the developed precision seed drill, helping to pave the way for entry into the growing precision agriculture market. The project brought together the expertise of Pöttinger and MaterMacc in a way that is now reflected in a new generation of equipment.

“The value of our collaboration with Gofore was not only in the functional software, but also in what we learned about modern software development. We now have a high-quality and stable system that supports the flexible development of new features,” says Marco Feltrin.

“If a similar need for collaboration arose again, I would certainly turn to Gofore,” he adds.

Project highlights

Object

Pöttinger aimed to expand its offering to include precision seed drills and thereby open up new opportunities in growing markets. Another objective was to combine, for the first time, Pöttinger’s control system with the precision seeding expertise of its subsidiary MaterMacc into a fully functional solution.

Solution

A Gofore expert contributed senior-level software development expertise to the project as part of the customer’s Italian team. The control system was designed to dynamically manage different hardware configurations, eliminating the need for version-specific customisation.

Outcome

The collaboration resulted in a reliable control system for a new precision seed drill. The solution enabled Pöttinger to enter a new market segment and established a stable software foundation for ongoing product development.

EXPERTISE