The itemis south branch has been operating out of Pforzheim (which is 50 kms west of Stuttgart) for several years and we are really having nice offices in a good environment here. However, for a number of reasons, we feel that there are a number of factors that made us re-evaluate the Pforzheim location:

• itemis is providing services to companies for MDSD in several domains. One domain is “complex technical systems”, which includes automotive / embedded. Several of our customers here in the south of Germany are obviously based in Stuttgart.
• itemis is growing. We find it easier to find new talent for our Stuttgart office.
• itemis is member of several consortia (AUTOSAR, Genivi) and research projects (VERDE, Q-Impress,etc.). Hosting meetings in Stuttgart will be more convenient for our project partners, that come from all over Europe.
• itemis has its main office in Lünen near Dortmund. There is a great train connection from Stuttgart to Dortmund (3,5 hours).

All of this factors brought us to the decision to fuse our small Stuttgart office with the Pforzheim office in a new location in Stuttgart. Further factors where:

• the location should be easily accessible from both the main station and the airport for guests, colleagues and commuters (basically no changing trains from those stops, more than one public transports stopping near the office)
• the location should be easily accessible for our commuters from Pforzheim (i.e. a highway exit in the south west of Stuttgart)
• the location should allow for growth
• the location should have a bright atmosphere
• food, good food. Good lunch is a prerequisite for a good afternoon.

We found all that in the Stuttgart Engineering Park STEP and I am looking forward to us opening the new office and growing further in January.