Episodes

  • Operations Software and the Future of Software-Defined Industry

    Operations Software and the Future of Software-Defined Industry
    Feb 26 2026
    In episode four we sit down with our second co-host for all things software-defined, Mark Hindsbo – Head of Operational Software at Siemens Digital Industries. While Rainer is our expert on the automation within a factory, Mark is who to talk to when figuring out operations and more of the software details.For this first episode with Mark, I want to introduce you to him and his unique background while also delving into some of the integration work making software-defined possible at all. We also make the argument to adopt workflows like those automotive manufacturers use to crash test vehicles without spending a million dollars a test, by going virtual first then validating the simulations.In this episode you’ll learn about:(00:00) Who is Mark Hindsbo(04:41) Integrating automation and operations(08:58) Defining operations softwareAbout the voices:Mark Hindsbo is the Head of Operational Software at Siemens Digital Industries. In his role, he helps manufacturers design and operate flexible, adaptive and increasingly autonomous plants and factories. His deep passion for engineering and software drives his goal to help customers build products for a better future.Nick Finberg is a technical marketing writer and coordinator for Software-Defined Everything, with a background in Nuclear Engineering. He has worked with experts to cover many industries and topics including Automotive, Battery, sustainability, and systems engineering.
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    16 mins
  • S1E3: How Data Fabrics Contextualize AI Data

    S1E3: How Data Fabrics Contextualize AI Data
    Feb 20 2026
    Data is the core of a good AI solution and, while data is plentiful in enterprise and industrial settings, accessing and utilizing that data for AI training isn’t so easy. In industry, data sources are often fragmented and, even if they can be easily accessed, lack the critical context needed to support robust AI usage. This is where data fabrics shine, offering a single, unified way of accessing and contextualizing all types of enterprise data.In this episode, host Spencer Acain is joined by Tobias Malbretcht, Head of Product Management, Data & AI at Siemens Digital Industries to examine the importance of data fabrics in the expanding role of AI in industry.In the episode you’ll learn about:· What is RapidMiner? (2:47)· The benefits of a data fabric for AI (5:14)· Bringing context to AI training data (8:06)· How data is connected to RapidMiner (11:36)About the voices:Tobias Malbretcht is the Head of Product Management for Data and AI at Siemens Digital Industries leading development for the RapidMiner AI Platform.Spencer Acain Is a technical marketing writer for AI thought leadership at Siemens Digital Industries with a background in Applied Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering.
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    15 mins
  • The Journey to Software-Defined Automation

    The Journey to Software-Defined Automation
    Feb 18 2026
    For episode two of the Future-Ready Podcast from Siemens, we are returning to our conversation with Rainer Brehm. In the first part of our discussion we covered some of the important definitions of Software-Defined, why it is so important and how it contributes to a more adaptive industry.Today, Rainer and I talk practical advice for businesses looking to start their journey into software-defined automation and even some ideas on how a software-defined framework to automation can bring real customization to operators and companies.In this episode you’ll learn about:(00:00) How to start with SDA(09:27) Fundamental changes in production systems(13:33) Empowering operators with intelligent systemsLearn more about Docker and KubernetesAbout the voices:Rainer Brehm is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for the automation business and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Siemens Digital Industries. In these roles, he drives the strategic advancement of Siemens’ automation portfolio and leads the development of technologies such as Industrial AI and Software-Defined Automation to unlock the full potential of automation. His focus is on making production more adaptive, resilient, and sustainable. His vision is an automated automation that solves unknown tasks independently.Nick Finberg is a technical marketing writer and coordinator for Software-Defined Everything, with a background in Nuclear Engineering. He has worked with experts to cover many industries and topics including Automotive, Battery, sustainability, and systems engineering.
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    17 mins
  • What Does Software-Defined Everything Really Mean?

    What Does Software-Defined Everything Really Mean?
    Feb 5 2026
    In this first episode of the Future Ready Podcast from Siemens, we are bringing you a conversation with Rainer Brehm – the CTO and the COO of our automation business at Siemens Digital Industries. His experience and understanding of automation technologies makes him a perfect co-host for our discussions on Software-Defined Everything.This first episode aims to define that exact term so that we can continue to dive into how software-defined everything creates a foundation for the rapidly changing industrial world. We’ve got a lot to talk about in the realms of data, software, and AI, so make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations with experts from Siemens, our co-host Mark Hindsbo – Head of Operations Software at Siemens Digital Industries – and beyond.In this episode you’ll learn about:(00:00) Introduction(01:37) Automating automation(03:56) Software-defined approaches(06:10) A limit to software-defined everything(08:59) Software-defined for automationAbout the voices:Rainer Brehm is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for the automation business and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Siemens Digital Industries. In these roles, he drives the strategic advancement of Siemens’ automation portfolio and leads the development of technologies such as Industrial AI and Software-Defined Automation to unlock the full potential of automation. His focus is on making production more adaptive, resilient, and sustainable. His vision is an automated automation that solves unknown tasks independently.Nick Finberg is a technical marketing writer and coordinator for Software-Defined Everything, with a background in Nuclear Engineering. He has worked with experts to cover many industries and topics including Automotive, Battery, sustainability, and systems engineering.
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    12 mins