Siemens has announced the acquisition of ASTER Technologies (“ASTER”), a privately held leader in printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) test verification and engineering software. This strategic acquisition brings ASTER’s advanced “shift-left” Design for Test (DFT) capabilities directly into Siemens’ Xpedition and Valor software, key components of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio. By integrating ASTER’s technology, Siemens expands its electronic systems design offering, creating a unified digital thread that connects PCB design and manufacturing. This integration enables customers to detect defects earlier, lower development costs, accelerate time-to-market, and enhance overall product quality and reliability.
Addressing growing complexity in electronics
The acquisition arrives at a pivotal moment, as growing demand for automotive electronics and the rapid adoption of 5G technology in electronic systems drive the need for more robust testing solutions. Ensuring safety, reliability, and compliance with stringent industry standards has become increasingly critical. A comprehensive test engineering strategy is essential to detect defects early, avoid expensive design re-spins, minimize product returns, and reduce field failures. As a result, organizations are prioritizing PCB design solutions with built-in Design for Test (DFT) capabilities and fully integrated design workflows.
ASTER’s expertise enhances Siemens’ Design for Manufacturing (DFM) offering
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Cesson-Sévigné, France, ASTER Technologies has built a strong reputation over the past three decades as a leading provider of software tools for verifying, assembling, and testing printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies. The company delivers advanced Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and physical design verification solutions for PCB fabrication, assembly, and testing, supported by powerful test coverage analysis and optimized test programming features. Its flagship product, TestWay, is recognized as an industry benchmark for Design for Test (DFT) planning and implementation, helping companies develop effective test strategies early in the PCB assembly process. TestWay seamlessly complements Siemens’ Valor software for design, fabrication, and assembly, together forming a comprehensive and integrated DFM solution.
“The addition of ASTER Technologies is a game-changer for our customers in the PCB design and manufacturing space. By integrating ASTER’s market-leading test engineering software, we are empowering our customers to optimize designs much earlier in the design cycle,” said AJ Incorvaia, senior vice president and general manager, electronic board systems at Siemens Digital Industries Software. “This can dramatically reduce costs, accelerate time-to-market and helps to ensure the highest levels of product quality and reliability. It’s about giving our customers a complete, integrated solution that sets them up for success from the very first design concept through final production.”
Strategic fit for complex electronic systems
ASTER’s solutions are widely adopted in advanced, high-performance designs across computing, automotive, and networking industries, where efficient and cost-effective test strategies are essential. Through this acquisition, Siemens strengthens its position in the global PCB market, expanding its comprehensive and differentiated Design for Manufacturing (DFM) portfolio to better serve complex electronic system development.
“Joining forces with Siemens is an incredibly exciting next chapter for our team and our customers. We’ve always been passionate about helping engineers create flawless PCB designs through advanced test coverage analysis,” said Christophe Lotz, founder and chief executive officer, ASTER Technologies. “Now, as part of Siemens, we have an unparalleled opportunity to integrate our expertise into a broader, industry-leading portfolio. This means our innovative solutions can reach more customers, enabling them to achieve even greater efficiency, quality and competitive advantage. We are thrilled to contribute to Siemens’ vision of a truly integrated digital thread for electronics design and manufacturing with just enough test.”
Expanding Siemens’ EDA portfolio
With this acquisition, Siemens reinforces its commitment to delivering best-in-class electronic system design technologies that enable customers to develop exceptional products efficiently and with superior quality. Integrating ASTER’s advanced solutions embeds robust manufacturing capabilities within Siemens’ PCBA design portfolio, further strengthening the Siemens Xcelerator platform and enhancing its competitive advantage. This strategic move empowers Siemens to offer a complete range of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) capabilities, helping customers ensure their designs meet production requirements while proactively optimizing test strategies from the earliest stages of development.
