ASTER Technologies

What ASTER Technologies does

ASTER Technologies is a France-headquartered, privately held software vendor founded in 1993 in Cesson-Sévigné that builds DfX (Design-for-Excellence) software tools for the PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) design, manufacturing, and test workflow. Its product suite comprises six core tools: TestWay Express for Design-for-Test and test coverage analysis, QuadView for PCBA visualization, FabExpress for CAD conversion to production machine programs (SPI, Pick-and-Place, AOI, X-Ray, Boundary-scan, Flying Probe, In-circuit Test), DfMExpress for design-for-manufacturability analysis, twDocumentor for documentation, and QUAD for verification. The technology underpinning these tools simulates PCBA and manufacturing/test machines in a digital environment, enabling shift-left detection of defects, faults, and vulnerabilities before fabrication.

The company operates an enterprise go-to-market targeting PCB design engineers and manufacturers across aerospace, automotive, defense, semiconductors, industrial, and medical sectors, with named customers including Airbus, Aptiv, Bosch, Broadcom, Dassault Aviation, Honeywell, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, MBDA, NVIDIA, Schneider Electric, Plexus, Rafael, and Rolls-Royce. Revenue derives from one-time software licenses, professional services (PCBA testability analysis, boundary scan / JTAG testing, training), and third-party API integration licensing. Sales are conducted via direct enterprise engagement through "Request a demo" and "Contact sales" CTAs, supported by a worldwide distribution network spanning 25 countries and staffed by 55 experts, with 1,200+ licenses deployed globally.

ASTER operated as an independent entity from 1993 until its acquisition by Siemens AG on January 13, 2026, which integrated its tools into Siemens' Xpedition and Valor portfolios within the Siemens Xcelerator platform. Post-acquisition, the company operates as a subsidiary within Siemens Digital Industries Software, extending its DfX capabilities into an end-to-end digital thread from PCB design engineering through manufacturing. The company is led by founder and CEO Christophe Lotz.

Name

ASTER Technologies

Legal name

ASTER Technologies

Website

https://aster-technologies.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ASTER Technologies, founded 1993 in France and acquired by Siemens in January 2026, provides DfX software (TestWay, QuadView, FabExpress, DfMExpress) for PCBA design, manufacturing, and test verification, serving enterprise customers across aerospace, automotive, defense, semiconductor, industrial, and medical sectors in 25 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electronic Design Automation (EDA) — PCBA Test & Verification Software

NAICS

Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly) Manufacturing (334418), Industrial Design Services (541420), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Printed Circuit Boards (3672)

akta.pro primary industry

PCB Assembly (PCBA/EMS) (HDAHAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN)

Keywords

• PCB design software
• Design for Test
• PCBA manufacturing software
• Test coverage analysis
• DfX software solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Cesson-sévigné

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses: Software tool sales including TestWay, QuadView, FabExpress, DfMExpress, twDocumentor, and QUAD products. Offerings include free trials, software licenses, and trade-in programs for legacy tools.
2. Test Engineering Services: Professional services including PCBA testability analysis, boundary scan testing (JTAG), product training, and consulting services for software tools.
3. Third Party API Integration: Integration services enabling third-party API integration with ASTER software tools.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ASTER Technologies develops and sells a suite of DfX software tools for Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) design, manufacturing, and test. Its flagship product TestWay Express provides integrated Design-for-Test and Test Coverage Analysis, complemented by QuadView (PCBA viewing), FabExpress (CAD conversion for production machines), DfMExpress (manufacturability analysis), twDocumentor (documentation), and QUAD (verification). The platform simulates PCBAs and manufacturing/test machines in a digital environment to detect defects earlier, improve test coverage, and reduce field failures.

Product overview

ASTER Technologies provides a comprehensive DfX (Design for Excellence) software platform for PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) Design, Manufacturing and Test. The product portfolio consists of six core software tools: TestWay Express (DfT and Test Coverage Analysis), QuadView (PCBA viewing modules), FabExpress (CAD conversion for production machines), DfMExpress (manufacturability analysis), twDocumentor (documentation), and QUAD (design verification). These tools enable engineers to simulate PCBA and manufacturing/test machines in a digital environment, allowing earlier defect detection, improved test coverage, and reduced risk of field failures and costly recalls. The company also provides related services including PCBA testability analysis, boundary scan (JTAG) testing, and product training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TestWay: Flagship integrated DfT and Test Coverage Analysis software enabling designers and manufacturers to prevent and detect defects from design to production.
• QuadView
• DfMExpress
• FabExpress
• twDocumentor
• QUAD

Products and services

• TestWay Express Integrated Design-for-Test (DfT) and Test Coverage Analysis software that enables PCB designers and manufacturers to prevent and detect defects from the design phase through production, featuring shift-left design-for-test functionality.
• QuadView A powerful set of scalable PCBA viewing modules that can be used either as a standalone viewer or fully integrated within customer applications for CAD file visualization.
• FabExpress CAD conversion software for programming production machines including SPI, Pick-and-Place, Chip shooter, AOI, X-Ray, Boundary-scan, Flying Probe, and In-circuit Test equipment.
• DfMExpress Design for Manufacturability analysis software that ensures PCB manufacturability in terms of both fabrication and assembly.
• twDocumentor Documentation tool for PCBA manufacturing and test processes, generating supporting documentation for production and test workflows.
• QUAD PCBA viewing and verification solution supporting design validation and inspection of printed circuit board assemblies.
• PCBA Testability Analysis Service Professional service delivering PCBA testability analysis for manufacturers and design teams, complementing the DfX software tools.
• Boundary Scan Testing (JTAG) Service Professional service providing boundary scan / JTAG test development and execution for PCBA verification.
• Product Training Product training services for customers using ASTER's DfX software tools and design-for-test methodologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Earlier defect detection through shift-left testing approach
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SiemenscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2026Siemens acquired ASTER Technologies, a privately held French company specializing in PCBA test verification and engineering software. The acquisition integrates ASTER's advanced design-for-test functionality into Siemens' Xpedition and Valor software portfolios within the Siemens Xcelerator platform, creating a comprehensive digital thread for electronic systems design from design engineering through manufacturing.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aster-news

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ASTER Technologies