  The transformation to Industry 4.0 changes the way embedded software systems
are developed. Digital twins have the potential for cost-effective software
development and maintenance strategies. With reduced costs and faster
development cycles, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) have the chance to
grow with new smart products. We interviewed SMEs about their current
development processes. In this paper, we present the first results of these
interviews. First results show that real-time requirements prevent, to date, a
Software-in-the-Loop development approach, due to a lack of proper tooling.
Security/safety concerns, and the accessibility of hardware are the main
impediments. Only temporary access to the hardware leads to
Software-in-the-Loop development approaches based on simulations/emulators.
Yet, this is not in all use cases possible. All interviewees see the potential
of Software-in-the-Loop approaches and digital twins with regard to quality and
customization. One reason it will take some effort to convince engineers, is
the conservative nature of the embedded community, particularly in SMEs.

Software Engineering