This paper presents a simulation approach, with which results on multimode bending couplers are obtained much faster than with traditional methods. This is achieved by a two-stage simulation combining ray tracing and beam propagation method. Using this approach, design rules can be obtained faster with a simultaneous cross-check of the results. Hence, a more reliable prediction is achieved. The main challenge in the presented example is the exact ray tracing simulation of curved waveguides with program-own methods without selfprogrammed routines, which is solved by interlaced cylindrical volumes. Prior to the simulation approach, upcoming requirements for photonic networks for internet of things and industry 4.0 applications are discussed. Due to that, a paradigm shift - away from the traditional packaging levels to the new definition of device communication - is proposed in this work.