VDMA and UID –
UX Expertise for Mechanical Engineering
Engineers understand engineers. And when it comes to the digital future of mechanical and plant engineering, we need partners who speak both languages: the language of technology and the language of the people who operate that technology. This is precisely where UID and the VDMA come together in a partnership that has endured for many years and is actively shaping the digital transformation of the industry.
UID has been a member of the VDMA since 2004
UID is a long-standing member of the VDMA, the German Engineering Federation. As a pioneer in UX with over 25 years of experience, we were the first to introduce an approach that combines technical excellence with human-centered design.
Prof. Claus Oetter, our longtime colleague at the VDMA, puts it aptly:
“It became clear early on that technological excellence alone is not enough. The success of machines, systems, and digital solutions increasingly depends on how well people can understand and use them. The challenge lies in making high technical complexity manageable and concealing it behind simple, intuitive operation. Usability and user experience are therefore not optional extras, but essential competitive factors for the industry.”
Prof. Claus Oetter, Managing Director of the Software and Digitalization Association, VDMA
Franz Koller’s commitment: bridging the gap between UX and mechanical engineering
Franz Koller, one of the founders of UID and now Director of Sales & Business Development at UID, has been deeply involved in the VDMA’s “Software and Digitalization” technical association for many years. His second term on the 11-member board demonstrates the high regard in which the industry holds him. He has contributed his expertise, gained over more than 30 years, to the “Agile” and “Chief Digital Officer” working groups, as well as serving as a judge for the VDMA Young Talent Award.
“The current crises show how important it is to link industrial tradition with the digital world.”
Franz Koller, Founder of UID
Franz Koller’s Commitment: Bridging UX and Mechanical Engineering
Franz Koller, founder and Director of Sales & Business Development at UID, has been deeply involved in the VDMA’s “Software and Digitalization” professional association for many years. His second term on the 11-member executive board demonstrates the high regard in which the industry holds him. He has contributed his expertise, gained over more than 30 years, to the “Agile” and “Chief Digital Officer” working groups, as well as serving as a judge for the VDMA Young Talent Award.
“The current crisis has shown how important it is to link industrial tradition with the digital world.”
Franz Koller, Founder of UID
We understand engineers and industry
Whether it’s Bosch Rexroth, TRUMPF, LIEBHERR, Dürr Systems, or OPTIMA – over the years, we’ve built partnerships that extend far beyond individual projects. We design HMI concepts that machine operators truly understand, develop digital services that are actually used, and create design systems that ensure consistency across entire product families.
Software and digital transformation: our home
As a full-service UX agency, we provide support ranging from user research and UX design to front-end and software development. As a system partner for ctrlX AUTOMATION by Bosch Rexroth, we help machine builders efficiently implement modern HMI solutions. We achieve this using web technologies that combine design and functionality.
We also focus intensively on AI, enabling us to provide our clients with comprehensive advice on its implementation.
A strong network behind us
Through our affiliation with BAYOONET AG, we have access to a broad network of specialists—ranging from digital transformation consulting and cybersecurity to the manufacturing of medical devices. This enables us to offer comprehensive, one-stop solutions without requiring our customers to juggle multiple partners.
Medical: where precision matters
In the medical sector, we develop medical devices in accordance with the highest regulatory standards (IEC 62366, ISO 13485). Here, too, the network within BAYOONET AG under the YOOme umbrella brand pays off: Access to expertise in certification, product design, and manufacturing enables UID to support clients from the initial idea through to market readiness. Whether it’s diagnostic systems, therapeutic devices, or digital health applications, user-centered design is key to safety and success in this field.
Sharing knowledge – with benefits for VDMA members
Embedding UX expertise within companies has always been a priority for us. As part of the VDMA Academy, Franz Koller regularly holds seminars and introduces participants to approaches for greater usability and a better user experience. In addition, UID is a regular presence at the VDMA through presentations and discussions.
With the UID Live Masterclasses, we also offer hands-on training led by professionals who work on projects every day. As a token of appreciation for our joint efforts toward the future of mechanical engineering, VDMA members benefit from special terms.
Shaping the future together
The relationship between the VDMA and UID is based on shared values: quality, innovation, and a deep understanding that the best technical solutions are only successful when they put people first. Franz Koller’s long-standing service on the Executive Board was more than just a formality. It reflects his deep conviction that the future of mechanical engineering is digital, agile, and human-centered.
Shaping the Future Together
The relationship between the VDMA and UID is based on shared values: quality, innovation, and a deep understanding that the best technical solutions can only be successful if they put people first. Franz Koller’s long-standing commitment to the Executive Board was more than just a formality. It reflects his deep conviction that the future of mechanical engineering is digital, agile, and human-centered.
