#31A Release to remember
31. August 2026What makes a release more than just a list of new features? In this episode of the AntiPattern Podcast, Christian, CTO, and Michael, CEO of Elevating Patterns, take a closer look at EP Digital Thread Platform Release 2608 — the August 2026 release packed with capabilities designed to make working with complex industrial data more powerful, flexible, and collaborative. They walk through the highlights of the release, including full-text search directly in the command bar, a new GraphQL endpoint, and configurable versioning schemes that allow teams to tag commits of a dataset with meaningful version numbers. One feature in particular could be a game changer for mechanical engineering: Branch & Merge. Inspired by the way developers work with Git, it brings branching concepts into the world of engineering data and opens up completely new ways of collaborating on variants and changes. The AI experience is also taking a major step forward with an enhanced AI Chatbot featuring Ask, Planning, and Agent modes. And with server-side events, users can now see what others are doing in the system in real time — making collaboration much more transparent. Last but not least, Edit from Grid makes working with data faster and more intuitive directly where users see it. Beyond the release itself, Christian and Michael also share an update on the latest Variability Research PoC and what the team is learning along the way. Release 2608 is more than another release. It’s a glimpse at where the Digital Thread is heading.
#30The fellowship of the prompt
30. Juli 2026For one day, startups, universities, and research institutes came together in Mannheim to talk about Industrial AI. Sounds like the beginning of a joke—or perhaps the beginning of a fellowship. In this episode, Christian and Michael look back at the AI Research Day, which they co-hosted with SysDICE. The big question: What does it actually take to make AI work in complex industrial environments? One thing quickly became clear: Industrial AI is all about context. Models need more than data—they need to understand the processes, systems, and technical relationships behind it. Model harnesses might become a crucial piece of the puzzle, while reference architectures could provide the structure needed to make all of this work together. Yes, we know: reference architectures can get a little academic. But maybe this time, it’s worth the risk. The most concrete outcome of the day? The participants decided to write a joint whitepaper on Industrial AI. With one central idea at its heart: the Digital Thread as the key to giving AI the context it needs to understand deep technical and industrial processes. So, is this the beginning of a new fellowship? Or just another anti-pattern waiting to happen? Let’s find out.
#29Release me, if you can
4. Juni 2026In this episode, Christian and Michael take a deep dive into the latest release of their Digital Thread Platform: version 2605. Packed with new capabilities and long-awaited enhancements, this release marks another major step forward for the platform. They walk through some of the highlights, including Single Sign-On support, upgradable EntityTypes, configurable dashboards, and extended virtual properties that make data modeling even more flexible and efficient. The star of the release, however, is the new AI Data Modeler. Christian and Michael discuss how AI is becoming an integral part of the platform experience, helping users accelerate modeling tasks and unlock value from their digital thread faster than ever before. Join them for a tour through the new features, the ideas behind them, and a few stories from the journey of bringing release 2605 to life. Because sometimes, if you can’t release it, maybe the release should release you.
#28No Product without Partners
22. Mai 2026In this episode, everything revolves around people, collaboration, and partnerships. Because in the end, it is all about people — the people we meet, collaborate with, and build products together with. We share news about our successful pre-seed financing round and welcome our new business angel Oliver Loose, who not only invests in the company but also brings extensive SAP experience and valuable industry insights. We also talk about two academic projects we are currently involved in: Etienne’s master thesis focuses on concepts for one-click deployment and the architectural implications for our platform. At the same time, Nico Kasper has just submitted his PhD thesis, which Michael has helped supervise over the last couple of years. Most importantly, we discuss our first official technology partnership with RheoNet and Sebastian Behrend. Together, we are building the first partner application for material flow simulation on our platform. Along the way, we are learning what capabilities a platform really needs in order to enable meaningful partner ecosystems and third-party applications.
#27Back to AI : Lessons from the Future
17. April 2026In this episode of the Anti-Pattern Podcast, Christian and Michael take you Back to AI: Lessons from the Future — reflecting on three key insights from the prostep ivip symposium. First, they explore why “SaaS is dead” is more than just a provocative statement. It’s not about how software is delivered anymore, but about how easily it can be customized. As AI enables the creation of highly tailored solutions at low cost, static, out-of-the-box software is losing relevance fast. Second, they discuss AI as a utility and the big open question: who will capture the value? Will it be the LLM providers, or those who successfully embed AI as a core architectural building block into their platforms? Christian and Michael share their perspective — and why platform players might have a strong position in this evolving landscape. Finally, they dive into the human factor. What does it actually mean to work with AI? How do we deal with the cognitive load, the disruption, and the changing role of humans in increasingly AI-driven systems? Three lessons, one conversation — and a look at what might shape the future of software and work.
#26A few good prompts
20. März 2026What happens when enterprise software stops being configured in code—and starts being shaped by prompts? In this episode, we explore how AI is fundamentally changing the economics of customization. If tools can be configured through prompting, the cost of tailoring enterprise IT could drop dramatically—Michael estimates by as much as 90%. We also share what we’re building at Elevating Patterns: • Connectors to external systems that can generate themselves • Data models that are created directly from Claude The result? A shift from manual integration work to AI-driven composition—faster, cheaper, and far more flexible. Is this the end of traditional customization as we know it? #AI #EnterpriseSoftware #NoCode #Integration #DigitalTransformation
#25A couple of firsts
20. Februar 2026In this episode, we're sharing a few important milestones from behind the scenes at Elevating Patterns — first successes, first learning moments and what drives us forward. For the first time, we are in the process of closing an external financing round — and we're excited to welcome our first business angel on board. We talk about what this step means for us, why we decided to take this route, and how it will support the next phase of our growth. Another first: we've made a new hire. And yes, that officially triggered the launch of our brand-new "new hire alarm." We share who's joining, what this means for the team, and how we're thinking about building Elevating Patterns step by step. And what that has to do with Steve Ballmer the former CEO of Microsoft. Finally, we let you know where you can meet us live over the next weeks: • Prostep iViP Symposium, April 14–15 in Frankfurt, Germany • Threaded! at Develop3Dlive, March 25 in Warwick, UK If you'll be there — come say hello. We're always happy to connect with fellow pattern thinkers, system shapers, and anti-pattern spotters.
#24From Active to Passive
26. Januar 2026In this episode of the AntiPattern Podcast, we explore the shift from a passive to an active Digital Thread — and why this distinction makes all the difference in modern product development. We discuss the two fundamental integration challenges that continue to block real progress: horizontal integration in a joint data model and vertical integration connecting multiple tools — be it in the cloud or on-prem. While these challenges are often treated as inevitable limitations, we make one thing clear: integration across tool boundaries will not fail because of Elevating Patterns. We also address a common misconception head-on. Elevating Patterns is not building yet another data analytics tool. An active Digital Thread requires more than semantics and dashboards — it demands data orchestration, robust data management, and engineering-grade concepts such as versioning, variability, and change management. Moving from passive data to active systems means enabling products to react, adapt, and evolve across their lifecycle. That transition — from observation to action — is what truly defines an active Digital Thread, and it is exactly where Elevating Patterns sets itself apart.
#23A StartUp Carol
23. Dezember 2025This holiday season, Michael and Christian take a step back from the day-to-day to look back on Elevating Patterns' first year as a startup. In true Anti Pattern fashion, they reflect on what they've learned — the surprises, the setbacks, the wins, and the lessons that weren't on any roadmap. From early ideas and first releases to real customer conversations and the realities of building a Digital Thread platform, join them for a candid conversation about what worked, what didn't, and why it matters. Then, with a view to 2026, they share what's coming next: the challenges they're excited to tackle, the patterns they're doubling down on, and how the past year is shaping the future of both the podcast and Elevating Patterns. A festive episode of reflection, insight, and forward thinking — perfect listening for anyone building something new this year. Tune in and share the journey — from Year One to what comes next. 🚀🎄
#222025 an AI Odyssey
10. Dezember 2025In "2025 an AI Odyssey" we're back in AI territory — this time fresh off our AI Research Day, where 16 people from 12 organizations came together to compare notes, ideas, and hard-earned lessons from the industrial frontlines. Christian and Michael unpack what makes industrial AI different from "AI in general": the stakes are higher, the margins smaller, and "pretty good" isn't good enough when safety, quality, uptime, and compliance are on the line. We dive into the big topics that shaped the day: • Why industrial AI is special — and why consumer-style assumptions don't transfer • Hallucinations in production: how to reduce them, contain them, and design systems that stay trustworthy • Reasoning quality as a requirement: what "good enough" reasoning looks like for engineering and operations • Reference architectures: do we need one, what should it include, and where do today's patterns fall short • The elephant in the room: legacy systems with little to no semantics — and how that blocks real AI value And finally, we tackle the key question: How can we actually leverage industrial data if it doesn't come with rich meaning? Our answer: you need a Digital Thread system that introduces semantics, connects context across tools and lifecycle stages, and turns data into something AI can reason over — not just statistically, but engineerably. If you're building or evaluating AI for industrial use cases — or you're wondering why pilots stall after the demo — this episode is your map for the odyssey ahead.
#21From Salzburg with love
10. Dezember 2025In this episode Christian and Michael take you along to the Tag des Systems Engineering (TdSE) 2025 in Salzburg — the central Systems Engineering meetup in the German-speaking world, organized by the GfSE (the German INCOSE chapter). For us, this one was special: our very first conference as Elevating Patterns with our own company booth, and our first time showing up not "as part of someone else," but as a startup ready to contribute to the community. We share the moments that stuck with us most — from the big themes we heard across sessions to the practical questions people brought to our booth, and the kinds of challenges Systems Engineers are wrestling with right now. Expect a lively debrief on: • Our biggest takeaways from the program and community discussions • What surprised us about being exhibitors for the first time • The trends we sensed around MBSE, SysML v2, digital thread thinking, and industrial adoption • New connections, old friends, and why TdSE felt like the right place for Elevating Patterns to plant a flag If you're curious what the SE community is buzzing about — or you just want a behind-the-scenes look at a startup's first major conference outing — this one's for you. 🎙️✨
#20I, graph
24. Oktober 2025In this episode, Michael and Christian pull back the curtain on the hard truths of applying AI in the industrial domain. It's not just about flashy demos — it's about the messy, practical, and often painful hurdles that trip up even the most ambitious initiatives. We explore five key pain points: • IP protection — How do you safeguard proprietary algorithms, data and models when they're feeding into shared platforms or cloud services? • Hallucinations — Why does AI still confidently make stuff up, and what risk does that pose when you're controlling physical assets instead of just chatting? • Reasoning — how far did we come with AI that is not just memorizing, but actually reasoning? • Costs — From infrastructure to data preparation to ongoing model governance, the price tag for "just throwing in AI" is far higher than many expect. • The need for machine-readable data & knowledge graphs — AI only works when your assets, systems and processes speak a common language. Together, Michael and Christian unpack stories from the field, call out common anti-patterns, and suggest what must go right before the next generation of industrial AI can deliver real value.
#19Feedback actually
15. Oktober 2025Our debut customer event — we called it "EP Family and Friends" — marked a major milestone — and brought us our very first direct feedback from real users of various industries. In this episode, we unpack what we heard, the patterns emerging from early conversations, and how that input is guiding our product direction. If you're curious about how feedback becomes strategy, this one's for you.
#18The Curious Case of MBSE
26. September 2025In this episode, Christian shares his impressions from his trip to the Systems Engineering Congress (SEC) and reflects on the latest advancements in MBSE and SysML v2. We explore how the evolution of system modeling is not just about new tools and notations, but about enabling a true democratization of MBSE data. With SysML v2 paving the way for greater interoperability, we look at how system models can finally flow seamlessly into downstream lifecycle processes — from design and simulation all the way to manufacturing and operations. Beyond the technical shifts, we also touch on the growing community and momentum around MBSE, and what this means for organizations trying to bridge the gap between abstract models and concrete engineering outcomes. The episode offers both insights from the conference and reflections on the future role of system models as a shared language across disciplines.
#17Help me, I shrunk my patterns
12. September 2025In this episode of the Anti-Pattern Podcast we zoom in on what makes a perfect fit: who benefits most from our solution, and how you — potential or current customer — can tell if your processes, structure, or projects are ready for what we offer. Michael and Christian explore how to recognize when a collaboration with Elevating Patterns really shines. They discuss what it means to work almost entirely in a B2B world, why flexibility is key for supporting unique customer needs, and how our solution naturally complements modular product structures. Whether you're exploring our platform for the first time, evaluating if it's a strong fit, or already striving to refine your engineering or process structure — this episode gives you cues, red flags, and a guide to knowing whether we're in "golden pattern territory" together.
#16A star is born
29. August 2025In this milestone episode of the Anti Pattern Podcast, our CEO Michael sits down with CTO Christian to unveil the very first release of Elevating Patterns' Digital Thread Platform. Together, they explore how this new foundation reshapes the way organizations model, connect, and evolve their digital ecosystems. From no-code domain modeling to a transparent commit history, and from graphical lifecycle maps to the intuitive import mapper, this release is packed with powerful features. We also dive into smart localization with AI-driven translation and the structure browser that lets you navigate complex hierarchies like never before. Tune in to hear not just what's inside this first release, but also where the journey is headed next. This is the starting point of a platform designed to make the Digital Thread tangible, accessible, and transformative.
#15Beauty and the practice
15. August 2025In the second installment of our Theory and Practice series, we shift from the comfortable realm of ideas to the unpredictable terrain of reality. Theory gives us frameworks, roadmaps, and a comforting sense of control — but the moment we step into practice, we discover the countless variables no book or blueprint can prepare us for. Drawing from years of real-world experience, we unpack the challenges and surprises that inevitably arise when putting plans into action. We talk about the universal truth that things take longer than expected — no matter how carefully you schedule. We reflect on how all business is people business, and why human dynamics can be the most powerful driver or the biggest obstacle in any project. And we share war stories on why migration projects are always a pain, no matter the tools, team, or timeline.
#14The theory of a graphy thing
1. August 2025Before you can work with us — or for us — you need to know what we're actually talking about. In this first part of our "Theory to Practice" double feature, we focus on the theoretical foundations that underpin our work at Elevating Patterns. We explore the essential concepts, models, and schools of thought that anyone engaging with our company should at least have heard of. From data modeling and graph theory to model-based systems engineering and industrial processes — we unpack the invisible scaffolding behind our daily language, decisions, and direction. It's not a lecture — it's a conceptual field guide. If you've ever wondered what kind of thinking our practice is built on, this episode lays the intellectual groundwork. Stay tuned for Part II, where we'll move from the abstract to the tangible and talk about real-world capabilities.
#13198 days later
18. Juli 2025Christian and Michael reflect on their first six and a half months as a startup — challenges, wins, and lessons learned. In this episode of the Anti-Pattern Podcast, Christian and Michael reflect on the incredible journey of our first six and a half months as a startup. Building something from the ground up is never linear, and we've experienced our fair share of challenges, wins, and lessons along the way. Join us as we share what we've accomplished so far—from forming our founding team and validating our core idea, to launching our first MVP and welcoming our early adopters soon. Tune in and listen to our journey from mounting desks, winning a first 'customer', deeply hand-coding vs. vibe-coding parts of our platform and many more.
#12Use Cases for breakfast
4. Juli 2025In this episode of the Anti-Pattern Podcast, Michael and Christian serve up the real menu: the first use cases you can expect when kicking off a software project with us. Forget vague promises and bloated roadmaps—this conversation is all about practical, impactful, and early-stage results that actually move the needle. We've identified five foundational use cases that can be solved with our platform—even in the earliest phases of a project. We cover: • Why starting small doesn't mean thinking small • Patterns we've seen across different industries • How quick wins lay the groundwork for long-term momentum • How initial use cases spark broader change across the organization
#11Collaborative Damage
20. Juni 2025What does it actually look like to run a software project with us? In this episode of the Anti-Pattern Podcast, we move from calling out the BS in the industry to showing what it actually looks like to run a software project with us. We break down the four foundational pillars that guide our approach: • Standardization – When are standards genuinely helpful, and when are they just one piece of a much larger puzzle? • Integration – How we make systems work together seamlessly—without relying on digital duct tape. • Migration – Do you really need to move your data? We talk about when migration makes sense—and when it doesn't. • Qualification – For us, it's not just about delivery. We aim to empower our customers—especially product owners—to own, evolve, and drive the product forward. Whether you're a CTO, a product owner, or someone who's survived the chaos of enterprise software projects, this episode offers a no-nonsense look at how we reduce complexity by design—not by accident.
#10Chronicals of BS
6. Juni 2025In this episode, Christian and Michael dive deep into the most outrageous, overused, and outright absurd marketing and sales BS they've encountered during their years navigating the PLM software world. Get ready for a no-filter rundown of the 10 biggest BS tactics PLM vendors love to use – and unfortunately many customers still believe. The 10 myths they identified: 1. There is no need to configure, just use standard. 2. Software vendors know your engineering process better than you. 3. You lose upgradeability if you customize. 4. Connecting IT-Systems is a technical challenging task. 5. API calls and how they are named is intellectual property of the vendor. 6. If you put all in one big system, there is no integration issue. 7. Cloud is just someone else's computer. 8. Cloud is less secure than on-prem. 9. Product data is not a performance critical thing. 10. Systems are only getting more and more complex, you cannot simplify.
#9Raiders of the Lost Inspiration
23. Mai 2025In this episode, Michael and Christian take a deep dive into the diverse technical foundations that inspire the ongoing development of their SaaS DTS (Digital Thread System) product. The conversation weaves through a range of influential methodologies and frameworks, starting with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), SysML, and KerML—key enablers for structured, scalable system modeling. They explore the advantages of Product Line Engineering (PLE) for managing variation across complex product families and draw parallels to Git's distributed version control concepts, which offer valuable insights into traceability and collaboration. The episode also discusses how a microservices architecture underpins their product's flexibility and maintainability, enabling rapid iteration and clear service boundaries. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is acknowledged as a vast and promising field—though only briefly touched upon—hinting at future capabilities yet to be explored in another episode.
#8EP's Eleven
9. Mai 2025In this episode, Michael and Christian dive into the art and strategy of building effective collaborations. Whether you're a startup or an established enterprise, partnerships can be a powerful lever for growth and innovation—if done right. We explore the five key types of partners that drive success at Elevating Patterns: • Research Partners – fueling innovation through academic and applied exploration • Development Partners – co-building cutting-edge technologies • Consulting Partners – bringing domain expertise to scale ideas with precision • Sales Partners – expanding reach and accelerating market entry • Support Partners – ensuring operational excellence and customer satisfaction Tune in to learn how we would like to create win-win partnerships and avoid the common pitfalls along the way.
#7The Modeling Begins
26. April 2025In this episode of the Anti Pattern Podcast, our co-founders Michael and Christian take you behind the scenes of their ambitious startup journey. At the heart of today's discussion are the first critical layers they're laying down: the Modeling Engine and the User Interface. Together, they explore: • Why starting with the Modeling Engine is essential for a strong Digital Thread. • How the early UI decisions will shape the user experience for years to come. • Lessons learned from their first prototypes and evolving system architecture. • A candid look at the trade-offs, unknowns, and excitement of building the future from scratch.
#6Graph Wars – The Industry Awakens
11. April 2025Join us in this exciting episode as Michael shares his observations from Hannover Messe—comparing industry trends from previous years to the cutting-edge developments and innovations of today. We dive into a critical discussion: With over a trillion euros set to flow from Germany and the EU, will these funds drive innovation in modern infrastructure and defense systems, or will they also transform the industry's IT landscapes into a new era of connectivity with graph-based digital threads?
#5The Good, the Bad and the Agent
28. März 2025In this episode, Michael and Christian dive headfirst into the holy trinity of modern digital design: UX (User Experience), DX (Developer Experience), and AX (Agent Experience). Because let's face it—what's the point of a slick UI if your devs are crying in YAML and your AI agents are stuck in existential dread? We'll explore: • Why good UX alone isn't enough anymore • How DX can make or break your product • What AX even is—and why it's the future Because in 2025, your real users might not even be human.
#4The Fast and the Curious – Mannheim Innovation Drift
13. März 2025In this episode, Michael and Christian dive into the concept of innovation. They discuss why Mannheim has earned its reputation as a hub for inventive products, and they tackle the intriguing question of whether a company like Elevating Patterns—just three months old—can be truly innovative. The conversation explores how a shared vision, where every team member understands the "why," is key to maintaining innovation as the company grows. Plus, learn why Elevating Patterns is on the lookout for expert leaders to drive their journey forward.
#3What have First Order Principles ever done for us?
28. Februar 2025Building a software solution can sometimes feel like navigating a complex maze—full of twists, turns, and unexpected obstacles. Without the right guidance, it's easy to lose direction or waste time on inefficient paths. In this episode, Christian and Michael dive into the guiding principles that shape their development efforts and explore how these principles influence their organization's approach to software engineering. They discuss the fundamental strategies that help them stay on track, make better decisions, and ensure long-term success. Additionally, they uncover key cloud concepts that simplify their journey—what are these essential ideas, and how do they make a real impact? Tune in to find out!
#2Graph Databases: Tables just can't handle the drama
14. Februar 2025Episode 2 is all about the "Graph". Christian and Michael discuss the usage of Graph Databases and why they seem to be way better equipped to implement a Digital Thread System as compared to classical RDBMS. They share their view on the needed flexibility and touch on performance topics.
#1Hello World!
31. Januar 2025In their first Podcast episode "Hello World" Christian and Michael introduce themselves and talk about their plans for their newly founded start up. They share their common history and make sure everybody understands that they don't want to build yet another PLM tool. The Digital Thread, so they say, has never fully been realized – are they going to make it?