ZF Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division announced a new service at the Busworld 2025 exhibition in Brussels, designed to help bus and coach OEMs comply with international standards for automotive software updates.
The United Nations has enacted the ECE/R156 Regulation, which mandates that OEMs implement a Software Update Management System (SUMS) due to the increasing reliance of modern vehicles on advanced electronic systems. This regulation aims to ensure that safe and secure software updates can be performed throughout a vehicle’s entire life cycle.
ZF’s SUMS Service Package for bus and coach OEMs is a modular platform that provides secure, compliant, and up-to-date software management, eliminating the need for OEMs to develop specialized in-house capabilities. Following the successful introduction of the SUMS Service Package to trailer manufacturers, ZF is now offering this solution to bus manufacturers, addressing the broader existing demand for this solution across the commercial vehicle sector.
Frank Burkhart, Senior 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 compliance with evolving regulatory standards. As a leading supplier of technology for buses and coaches, ZF continues to support the industry’s transition to digitalization and Software-Defined Commercial Vehicles. Our deep industry knowledge, close proximity to our customers, and expertise in digital solutions enable us to offer a modular package that not only supports compliance but also helps OEMs establish a robust foundation for secure and efficient software lifecycle management.”
ZF’s SUMS Service Package, specifically designed for bus manufacturers, consists of four modular elements. These include ZF’s SCALAR Software Manager and ISO 24089 certified solutions, which manage, record, and verify the software and hardware versions of all devices relevant to UN/ECE R156. The platform streamlines regular auditing and certificate renewal processes while documenting the impact of software updates on type approvals and regulations.
Seamless integration with ZF [pro]Diagnostics, ZF’s new software platform for the diagnosis and configuration of ZF devices, ensures automatic software status checks, secure updates, and necessary workshop documentation. This plays a crucial role in meeting UN/ECE R156 compliance in the field.
The package also includes comprehensive consulting services to help OEMs navigate the complexities of UN/ECE R156, along with a detailed guidebook, templates, and checklists to clarify certification requirements. Furthermore, the SUMS Service Package includes training programs focused on UN/ECE R156, delivered through the ZF [pro]Academy.
ZF Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS), a leader in commercial vehicle technology, is already meeting the rigorous ISO 24089 standards for software update engineering, providing secure and legally compliant solutions. ZF CVS is one of the first Tier-1 suppliers in the commercial vehicle industry to successfully pass the challenging audits required for ISO 24089 certification.
