Digital transformation changemakers

By Jane Wade

Realize LIVE Americas 2025 is now finished. Save the dates for 2026, same location June 1 – 4. Check our dedicated Realize LIVE website to stay updated with content.

Northrup Grumman's digital transformation — Realize LIVE 2025

Day two: in case you missed it!

Tuesday morning at the digital transformation conference started with a mash up of human and AI collaboration which demonstrated the creativity of the hive mind, led by DJ Warren Peace and Tyler, the audience built a musical masterpiece. It was the perfect soundtrack – you’ve got that MBOM, EBOM, SBOM, come on! – for Joe Bohman, Executive Vice President, PLM Products to take to the stage!

Digital transformation is more than technology

The theme of human and machine collaboration was strong throughout the presentation, as Joe took us through four digital threads accelerated product development, software-defined product, integrated BOM management, and smart manufacturing. He showcased how Siemens’ portfolio enables customers to turn complexity into a competitive advantage.

General Session – Joe Bohman – Realize LIVE 2025

After Joe, the music did not stop as Adam Shepherd, Northrop Grumman Fellow for Digital Transformation, took us on the ‘highway through the danger zone’ and we were all transported back to the set of Top Gun as he shared how the aerospace and defense leader uses Siemens tools to reduce rework, improve manufacturing-engineering integration, and get from initial design to first flight, faster than ever.

You can play Adam’s mainstage presentation back in the Realize LIVE content library.

After the high energy of the main session, how would anything else keep up?

Digital transformation isn’t just about the technology but also the people that drive it and our VIP Lounge was buzzing with changemakers enjoying Q&A sessions with mainstage speakers and Siemens leadership.

The VIP Lounge is home for our Transformation Network at Realize LIVE, the network comprises Mendix Pioneers, Community Catalysts, Pathmakers and Techcellence Awards finalists and winners. Also invited to join are the mainstage speakers and spotlight customers from the Solutions Center. To find out how you can be part of the Transformation Network drop by the VIP lounge and speak to the team. You might just be lucky enough to bump into a Techcellence Award winner, you can read more about them here.

Lego and digital transformation in the Community Corner

The changemakers are also gathering at the Community Corner, maybe for the Lego, but we think mostly for the conversations. They have special guests each day engaging in small group discussions, and everyone is encouraged to get involved and share their opinions. Each day they have 30 raffle winners drawn from our community forums, so drop by to share your experiences.

The Sustainability Student Design Hack is in full flow, and we checked if they had been sleeping. All five teams are in full ideation mode, so we are excited to see what they deliver on the final day. You can drop by and see them in the Solutions Center at any time, to show them your support.

There were also over 200 sessions dedicated to the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, along with hands-on training.

Day two is a wrap – thanks to our partners AWS

Day two finished with a sponsor and partner reception in the Solution Center kindly supported by our partners AWS.

What’s next at the digital transformation conference?

On Wednesday Frank Helmke, BSH, Europe’s #1 maker of small and large home appliances will share how they resolve complexity with model-based systems engineering. Robert Stukes, Naval Sea Systems Command will follow and he will reveal how AI-driven insights are enabling sailors to make better decisions.

Attendees then chose from 180 sessions, from technical to thought leadership, hands-on training to customer success. The Student Design Hack judging takes place at 1pm at the Community Corner.