As KNX’s 35th anniversary draws to a close, Dr Ute Bothe, one of the very first female KNX Partners, reflects on her experiences in an interview with Katie Rose.
KNXtoday: How did you discover and start working with KNX?
UB: More than 30 years have passed since I became self-employed as a systems integrator and founded the company geSys. Originally, that wasn’t my life plan. After studying psychology and earning my doctorate, I envisaged a career in academia and research, however societal changes in the early 1990s reshuffled the deck.
I came across KNX – back then it was still called EIB (European Installation Bus) – rather by chance. Out of interest, I completed an internship at an electrical engineering firm in Erfurt. It was a completely different field for me, but I was fascinated by what was already possible in building technology at that time and what might become possible in the future. That sealed the deal; this would be my new career path.
KNXtoday: Tell us about the founding of your company geSys and what services you offer.
UB: After completing the KNX certification course in February 1994, I founded geSys on April 1, 1994. From the outset, the focus was services related to KNX, from project planning and commissioning to visualisation and the revitalisation of existing systems. Occasional forays into other bus systems ultimately solidified my decision to specialise in KNX.
KNXtoday: What projects have been a highlight for you?
UB: Over the years, we have completed numerous projects from public, private, and commercial properties to complex control systems for individual rooms, interfacing with a wide variety of trades, and even entire building complexes. Each project is interesting in its own way and worthy of mention, but I have selected three.
One of the first projects to integrate EIB with a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) was the conversion of a barracks in Bad Bergzabern, Germany, into a vocational school with an administrative unit. The project was among the top ten finalists at the 1996 EIBA Awards and was featured in the 1996 Bus Guide Special.
The Anger 1 project in Erfurt presented entirely different challenges, as the goal was to expand and transform a traditional department store into a futuristic shopping mall. Even after its initial construction, this project has been continuously developed and adapted to changing needs and requirements over the years.
By far the most spectacular project, due to its sheer size, was the Treptowers in Berlin. This project, with approximately 15,000 KNX devices, even made it onto the EIB Association’s promotional CD.
KNXtoday: In an interview for the KNX Professionals Journal 2016-17, you said, “Anyone who is passionate about technology and is looking for a challenging and varied job can become a KNX systems integrator. Why not a woman?” What changes have you seen for women working in the industry over the years?
UB: When I started out in 1994, it was certainly somewhat unusual to be working as a systems integrator as a woman with a university degree, but it was never a problem. Recognition was not automatic; I had to earn it, but I think that was true for everyone.
I can’t say whether there were other women working as systems integrators then. Networking happened either in person at trade fairs, training courses and other professional events, or via landline, fax, or laptop. This changed significantly with the arrival of mobile phones and the Internet, allowing me to connect with other female systems integrators. Membership of KNX Professionals Germany has also been beneficial, as regular meetings enabled me to build and deepen connections.
KNXtoday: What are you excited about for the future?
UB: To quote Heinz Lux, “What makes KNX special is its people.” Perhaps in the future, there will be more women among us – women who are interested in technology and people, and who are ready for an exciting and challenging career.
I am also looking forward to exciting challenges, new experiences, interesting people, and in a few years’ time, passing on my experiences and the company to my successor.
Dr Ute Bothe is a KNX System Integrator and founder of geSys Gesellschaft für Gebäudesystemtechnik KNX.
