Beautiful projects
Philippe is reluctant to single out specific
projects, saying that to do so would be an
injustice to all the projects that have had
so much impact. However, when pushed,
he does cite two: SembySem to provide a
software system dedicated to the monitoring and management of systems of all sizes using
semantic representations of their constituent
components. The project results provide
dynamic representations of ’systems’ as a set
of semantically-described synchronised views,
and MODELISAR, which introduced functional
mock-up (FMU), a next generation of methods,
standards and tools to support collaborative
design, simulation and test of systems and
embedded software. “I thought SembySem
was very clever, very abstract, developing an
ontology to describe the security rules and solutions. A very beautiful solution because you solve the
complex problem of interoperability and go a step further. Many subsequent projects employed the same
approach in different domains. And now the SotA for interoperability is to use ontology. Another very
impressive example is MODELISAR. Not only did Daimler ensure that the doors of its cars shut with a
noise that was very distinctive – you could hear that it was not a little Fiat, for example – through
the interoperability of different simulators but the project became the germ for the generation of a
full set of success stories in the automotive sector worldwide. Even more beautiful! I can tell such
stories all day long but for that I would need a whole magazine to myself! But, in any case, these two
projects simply highlight the amazing achievements that the ITEA Community produces year in, year
out.”
Magic formula?
Is there any kind of magic formula? “It may seem like magic sometimes, but it's not really. First of all,
we are technology lovers. Secondly, there is a clear target: to impact the market. That's key. Give
people a strong ambition. In the risky environment of innovation. Then align this with an ITEA Office
that is interested in the content, and the people realise that they, and what they are doing, are
important. They matter. And this is a powerful driver for happiness. This notion of happiness, pushed so
hard by Rudolf (Hagenmüller) some years ago, is a value that the
Community shares and which binds us together. It helps create the trusted zone I spoke of earlier. If
you want, you could say that the ITEA formula has something magical about it since we do seem to pull
technology rabbits out of the hat on a regular basis.”
Freedom to innovate
And, as Vice-chairman, have there been any specific developments over the past few years that are likely
to shape the landscape for your successor? “Customer focus is certainly a significant shift. It's always
been a part of the make-up. After all, ITEA operates a bottom-up approach, led by industry needs. But
more recently we have made customer focus more explicit and customer workshops are proving to be real
eye-openers. Innovation, as I said, is a risky business and companies can be hesitant about entering
this zone. But the digital transition has made it imperative to innovate. So we need clever people with
brilliant ideas who can dream beautiful solutions to problems before they even exist. Strategists don't
think this way. They create frameworks and, by doing that, put a straightjacket on innovation. I am
convinced that we have to allow the innovators full freedom. A successful innovation for me is a good
balance between innovative technologies, clear market vision and value chain evolution. By understanding
the latter, you can propose innovative solutions. This is fundamental to our approach in ITEA, and we
must not lose sight of this.”
New game
But the time has now arrived for Philippe to focus on his own future, consulting for companies and making
good use of everything that has helped shape him over the past decade or so. “It's an exciting time
ahead. It's a new game. I'll also have to plan my time differently.” Indeed, Philippe has spent the past
half year in Rennes, like most of us, working from home – a far cry from 12 years of 'roaming' Europe
and beyond in the service of ITEA. “I am grateful that my wife and family have accepted me back into the
home from which I have been so absent for so long,” he says, tongue-in-cheek. “Corona has coincided with
my shift of direction. It's a time of change and reflection, a new adventure. Time to look forward to
new challenges, and maybe a little bit of time for me to indulge more in my love of theatre and acting.”
With panache, of course!
