At Busworld 2025 in Brussels, ZF's Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division announced a new service to help bus and coach OEMs comply with international standards for automotive software updates. With modern vehicles increasingly reliant on advanced electronic systems, the United Nations has enacted Directive ECE/R156, which requires OEMs to implement a Software Update Management System (SUMS). This regulation aims to ensure safe and secure software updates throughout a vehicle's entire lifecycle.
ZF's SUMS Service Pack for bus and coach OEMs is a modular platform that eliminates the need for OEMs to develop specialized in-house capabilities, ensuring secure, compatible, and up-to-date software management. Following the successful rollout of the SUMS Service Pack to trailer manufacturers, ZF has begun offering this service to bus manufacturers, leveraging the broader demand for this solution in the commercial vehicle sector.
Frank Burkhart, Vice President of Bus Sales at ZF Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS), commented: “The SUMS Service Package offers bus manufacturers a practical and flexible solution for managing software updates in line with evolving regulatory standards. As a leading supplier of technologies for buses and coaches, ZF continues to support the industry's transition to digitalization and Software-Defined Commercial Vehicles. Our deep industry knowledge, close customer relationships, and expertise in digital solutions enable us to offer a modular package that not only supports compliance but also helps OEMs establish a solid foundation for safe and efficient software lifecycle management.”
ZF's SUMS Service Package: Comprehensive support for bus manufacturers
ZF's SUMS Service Package, specifically designed for bus manufacturers, consists of four modular elements. These include ZF's SCALAR Software Manager, which manages, records, and verifies software and hardware versions of all devices relevant to UN/ECE R156, and ISO 24089-certified solutions. The platform streamlines regular audits and certification renewals, while also recording the impact of software updates on type approvals and regulations. Seamless integration with ZF [pro]Diagnostics, ZF's new software platform for diagnostics and configuration of ZF devices, ensures automatic software status checks, secure updates, and essential documentation in the workshop. This plays a crucial role in meeting UN/ECE R156 compliance in the field.
Included are a comprehensive guidebook, templates, and checklists to help clarify certification requirements, along with consulting services to help OEMs navigate the complexities of UN/ECE R156. The SUMS Service Package also includes training programs focused on UN/ECE R156, offered through ZF [pro]Academy.
ZF Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS), a leader in commercial vehicle technology, already meets the rigorous ISO 24089 standards for software update engineering, providing safe and legally compliant solutions. ZF Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) is one of the first Tier 1 suppliers in the commercial vehicle industry to pass the stringent audits required for ISO 24089 certification.
