The first phase in a smart transport project to transform security, passenger service and operational management across Berlin’s S-Bahn rail network has gone live.

Teams based at S-Bahn’s 4S operational headquarters can now – via the Synergy hybrid cloud software platform from UK firm Synectics – connect, respond and collaborate with passengers and staff on-board trains, at stations and with field personnel working anywhere across the network.

The capabilities, including a mobile app, mark a step forward in the way operational command, control and communications are carried out within urban rail environments.

The project, which went live as scheduled at the start of the year, is the result of a partnership between S-Bahn Berlin (a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn) and command and control firm Synectics. The two companies’ combined ambition has led to the development of a tailored system that should deliver a positive customer experience both now and well into the upcoming decade.

Leveraging tools to form custom API gateways, Synergy integrates to and interoperates with S-Bahn’s proprietary systems, as well as all third-party technologies, devices and communication vital to passenger service, safety and security. This is achieved in real time, and continuously informed by sensor data obtained from integrated systems crucial to operating safe and efficient passenger services.

The Synergy mobile app will enable S-Bahn’s workforce to receive automated task assignments based on their role, skills and location, and to update the system directly on their delivery of those tasks.

“Synergy’s powerful integrations, intelligent digitisation of workflows, workforce management capabilities and computer-aided dispatch functionality combine to deliver a hugely exciting outcome,” said Henning Oelze, project manager at, S-Bahn.

The platform offers complete visibility of network-wide activity and the ability to coordinate and automate the right response, at the right time, to any requirement.

“It was with huge pleasure that we saw our first trains and security and device teams utilising the new Synergy system, especially given how challenging this last year has been,” said Oelze. “It really is a revolutionary step forward in our mission to deliver outstanding passenger service, while at the same time making life much easier for our personnel through the advanced automation of operational processes.”

From fulfilling a planned maintenance task to sending people with the most appropriate training to deal with an evolving security or safety issue, Synergy will facilitate the rapid communication, deployment and appropriate action of different teams. This will equip S-Bahn to process and react to events within pre-defined response times, and manage its workforce more effectively.

The project is scheduled to continue during 2021, with the two organisations building further technical capabilities and driving ahead with continuous improvement. Enhancements will see extensions to the workforce management functionality and more developments to improve operational efficiency within incident and task management assignments.

In addition to the technology used, the project demonstrates the advances that can be achieved through international collaboration.

“Having such direct access to Synectics’ product development team in the UK and knowing that they understood how agile we needed this to be, has made a huge difference,” said Oelze. “They shared our vision for the future of smart transport operations in a major European capital and worked in close partnership with the S-Bahn team, successfully navigating their way through the technical, logistical and cultural challenges of a major international project.”

Greg Alcorn, director at Synectics, added: “S-Bahn Berlin is viewed as a technological trail-blazer and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with such a well-organised team to deliver the first step in their truly inspirational vision for urban transport. Some of the software developments driven by this project will have long-term implications for the sector. I have no doubt that there are new standards being set here for smart transport systems of the future.”