APS Advanced Project Services

We’re now part of ACAROM. 🤝

APS Advanced Project Services SRL is pleased to announce its membership in ACAROM, strengthening our connection to the Romanian and European automotive ecosystem.

As a service provider working closely with automotive suppliers and OEMs, APS supports organizations in delivering complex projects through project management and engineering process improvement. We also help our customers comply with key industry standards such as Automotive SPICE®, TISAX®, and Cybersecurity, and verify adherence through dedicated assessments.

Joining ACAROM is an important step in expanding our collaboration within the automotive engineering community. It allows us to stay closely aligned with industry developments, contribute to shared expertise, and further support our clients with high-quality, standards-driven services.

We look forward to engaging with ACAROM members and contributing to robust, secure, and efficient engineering practices across the automotive sector. 🚗⚙️

A full day dedicated to connections, discussions, and new business opportunities in the automotive industry.

On 26 March, the Automotive Expo & B2B Meetings in Sibiu, organised by InTradeFairs, will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, and industry leaders from across the sector for focused networking and collaboration.

APS will be present as an exhibitor.

We provide structured support for project delivery, process maturity, and compliance, helping you to overcome project challenges with clarity and practical solutions.

Find us at Booth 58

👉Book a meeting with us or visit our stand to turn your current challenges into clear next steps.

We were happy to participate in CRA Europe 2026 - Cyber Resilience in Action, an international cybersecurity conference held at the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest.

The event focused on practical tools, training programmes, and initiatives designed to help SMEs prepare for the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities.

It was a valuable opportunity to exchange views with experts and stakeholders from Romania and across the region on how to turn regulation into practical solutions and support businesses in building sustainable cyber resilience.

As cybersecurity continues to become a critical foundation for trust in the digital economy, discussions like these play an important role in helping organisations strengthen their resilience and preparedness.

Our thanks to the CYBERFORT consortium for organising the event, to I-ENERGYLINK for coordinating it, and to the Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate (DNSC) for their support.

🎄✨ Warm Christmas wishes from APS. 🎄✨

As the festive season approaches, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has been part of our journey this year: our clients, partners, suppliers, colleagues and all those who have connected with us in both big and small ways.
It is your trust, collaboration and support that make our work meaningful and truly rewarding.

We hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful Christmas filled with warmth, kindness and joyful moments.
Thank you for being part of our community. Merry Christmas!

📣Introducing Data Management SPICE® PAM 2.0📣

We’re happy to share the release of Data Management SPICE PAM 2.0, the updated Process Assessment Model designed to support organisations in understanding and improving how they manage their data.

The new version offers a clearer and more focused framework to help organisations:
• evaluate how data-related activities are performed;
• identify strengths and areas for improvement in data handling, and
• establish a solid foundation for reliable, secure, and well-governed data handling.

DM SPICE PAM 2.0 comes with a simplified and more transparent structure and is available as a standalone PAM up to Capability Level 5, making it easier to apply across different organisational and project contexts. The model also introduces clearer terminology and practical guidance for various usage scenarios, ranging from initial assessments to expert-level application.

🌟 We’re especially proud to mention that our colleague Reiner Seitz, with expert knowledge in IT and data management, as well as process assessment and audit, contributed to this version of the model.

📌 Interested in learning more about DM SPICE PAM 2.0 or exploring how it could support your organisation?

We’re happy to exchange views, share insights, and discuss possible application scenarios within your organisation. ☎️

🔗 DM SPICE PAM 2.0 is available at: https:https://intacs.info/spice-center

📢APS is attending the German Romanian Moldovan Business Conference!📢

We are excited to announce that a team from APS will be attending the upcoming German Romanian Moldovan Business Conference organised by AHK Romania in Stuttgart.
The event brings together leaders who are committed to cross-border collaboration, innovation, and sustainable long-term growth.
We look forward to connecting with organisations interested in strengthening partnerships and exploring new business opportunities in the region.
If you are attending too, we would love to meet you!

Getting ready for two full days at the 21. Qualitäts- Gipfeltreffen der Automobilindustrie. Right now, the room is quiet. But not for long!

We're here to meet fellow automotive quality professionals, share experiences, and discover new perspectives to inspire our work.

If you're attending too, come by and say hello! 👋

🧩 So, where does software testing really belong? QA or QC?

We've often noticed a recurring confusion about where software testing truly fits.
Although the distinction is subtle, the line between QA and QC is surprisingly blurred, even among experienced professionals.

This confusion affects how teams work, how organisations measure quality, and ultimately, the reliability of the systems we build.

⚙️ Part of the problem is historical. In manufacturing, the two were clearly distinct functions: QA ensured that processes were effective and prevented defects, while QC focused on product checks and defect detection.

💻 However, in software engineering, QA and QC have merged and are used interchangeably. The rapid growth of agile and DevOps cultures has not helped matters, with developers taking ownership of quality while testers remain in separate departments.

✨ Let's restore clarity.
QA is about building quality into the process.
This involves defining standards, setting up reviews and continuously improving development practices.

QC, on the other hand, is about verifying the outcome.
This includes inspections, validations and, yes, testing. QC is like detective work, it identifies deviations from expected results.

🔍 When we test software, whether manually or automatically, we are controlling the quality of the product rather than ensuring it. Testing is part of QC.

Both are essential and reinforce each other. Testing provides feedback to improve processes, while QA ensures that testing is effective, systematic, and traceable.

Many companies combine the two under 'QA'. This sounds more strategic. However, clarity still matters, especially in regulated industries such as automotive and rail.

📊 Understanding where testing fits is not just semantics. It reflects the maturity of your quality system. Teams that view testing as part of QC benefit from clearer feedback loops and stronger compliance with frameworks such as ASPICE and Functional Safety.

Ultimately, this clarification fosters trust between engineering, management, and customers.

🌐 The future of mobility is software-defined, but information security is essential for its success.

The automotive industry is developing software-defined vehicles (SDVs), and many of today’s vehicles already communicate with the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) back-end systems to receive over-the-air (OTA) updates and other services.

🔑 Stringent information security measures are required to protect all stakeholders.
To achieve this in today's vehicles, we must implement the following:

🚙 Security by design in products and compliance with regulatory requirements:

UNECE Regulations R155 and R156 require vehicle manufacturers to implement cybersecurity measures at both organisational and product levels for road vehicles and OTA updates.

The ISO/SAE 21434 standard provides implementation provisions for participants in a vehicle’s supply chain. OEMs are responsible for cybersecurity throughout the entire product lifecycle, contracting their suppliers to contribute appropriate measures for their supplied components or software. ISO 21434 explicitly refers to Automotive SPICE® to support quality, and therefore cybersecurity, efforts.

🏭 Back-end systems and information security at the workplace:

ISO/IEC 27001 defines the technical and organisational measures required to operate an ISMS (Information Security Management System), which is a systematic approach to maintaining and improving information security.

TISAX® is a standardised assessment and exchange mechanism for information security results in the automotive industry. Unlike ISO 27001, TISAX® also incorporates GDPR considerations and prototype protection.

💡 We can help you find the right solutions for your needs in all these areas and standards. Contact our certified experts and auditors at [email protected].

Are you planning an ASPICE assessment or enhancement to a higher capability level?

ASPICE is a process assessment and capability model for automotive software and systems. Aligned with ISO/IEC 3300x, it is also complementary to ISO 26262 and ISO/SAE 21434. It is lifecycle-agnostic and emphasises defined outcomes supported by objective evidence and traceability.

If you want to understand your current capability and plan measurable improvements, we can support you by:

✅ ASPICE assessments
✅ Gap and potential analyses
✅ Consultancy and coaching to help you reach higher maturity levels.
✅ Targeted training for teams and leaders.

Expected benefits include clearer process control, stronger audit readiness, improved supplier alignment, and more predictable releases.

Interested in an ASPICE assessment or capability uplift? Let's discuss your requirements.

🚀 New course launch: Empower Your Next Career Move in Automotive & Tech!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new training "Automotive Cybersecurity", designed for automotive and related industry professionals who are ready to:
✅ Explore new roles
✅ Retrain for emerging technologies
✅ Upgrade competencies
✅ Accelerate their career growth

Delivered by internationally certified experts, this programme offers flexible formats, including online and on-site options for corporate groups.

Why now?
The industry is evolving quickly. Demand for cybersecurity compliance expertise and emerging technology skills is higher than ever. Our new training will help you stay ahead of the curve and take your next career step with confidence.

💡 Be among the first to join this new programme and position yourself for future opportunities.

👉 Learn more or enrol here: https://aps-srl.ro/cybersecurity-launch.