Network fosters integration in PLM, ERP and PLC as well as simulations.

At the turn of the year, Eplan started its Partner Network (EPN). It provides a framework for existing and new partnerships to jointly develop and market interfaces. The EPN partnership is based on common binding goals for enhancing and supporting interfaces. This commitment both increases customer benefits and enhances quality.

Sebastian Seitz

Eplan CEO Sebastian Seitz (right) explained: “Aside from using Eplan software, our customers also use a variety of other software applications from various manufacturers in the ERP, PLM, PLC and simulation environments to name just a few. The effective interaction of these various applications is especially important to them. As part of the EPN, we will therefore be focusing on joint development of integrations as well as quality assurance and support.”

Marco Litto

Asked about the motivation to found the new EPLAN Partner Network, the company’s Senior Vice President Strategy & Corporate Program Marco Litto replied: “The professionalisation of our network systematically increases the benefits for end users.” The goals are ambitious: “The connectors between our systems should be planned, developed, tested, supported and marketed with at least the same rigour and soundness that we are accustomed to with our own solutions. Together with our EPN partners, it will allow us to achieve a completely new level of customer focus.” Open interfaces and modern integrations will create a wide range of opportunities that users of the various software solutions will benefit from, not to mention the partner companies themselves.

Global key players of automation including Bosch Rexroth, B&R, Endress+Hauser, Festo, ifm electronic, Mitsubishi Electric, Phoenix Contact, Pilz, Rittal and Rockwell Automation are already taking part in the initiative. Software partners – for example configit, Contact Software, encoway, Gain, ISD, ISG, keytech, machineering, Procad, Quanos and SAE – are also participating in the new network. Both German and international companies are being approached to participate too, and Eplan is currently in talks with many of them. For instance, UDMTEK in Korea was the first Asian company to seal the membership deal – others are certain to follow.

Rockwell Automation/USA Vice President Global Business Development Tom O’Reilly said: "A digital thread of data within and across organizations is one of the key requirements to bringing the Connected Enter-prise to life. Together with Eplan, we support companies through their digital transformation by enabling data consistency, improving efficiency of engineering processes and shortening time-to-market."

Also Bosch Rexroth got involved right at the network’s start. The company’s Vice President of Sales Steffen Winkler explained, “Configuration of automation solutions and the dynamic provision of exact device data are essential with regards to Industry 4.0. The Bosch Rexroth ctrlX Configurator enables easy configuration of com-plete ctrlX AUTOMATION solutions. By directly integrat-ing our configurator into the Eplan Platform, users will receive all device data of the configured system topology including detailed product lists and CAD data at the touch of a button. This integration ensures full data consistency and reuse of product data throughout the entire digital design phase.”

In Korea, UDMTEK CEO Gi Nam Wang also has good reasons for joining: “We have decided to partner with Eplan through EPN to leverage our industry-leading offerings and combine them with Eplan’s best-in- class engineering platform. We are excited to partner with a world-class company as we embark on our next phase of growth and innovation."

Eplan is making it easy for users and companies alike. A partner area on the website provides particulars for companies involved in the Eplan Partner Network, information about integrations, contact persons and current news. 

In the era of the digital transformation, when cloud solutions are playing an increasingly crucial role, it’s becoming more and more important for providers to coordinate integrations across companies. As Seitz says, “With the EPN, we’re maximising the overall benefits of our own solutions and those of our partners in the ecosystem of industrial automation for shared customers. Together we’re creating a win-win situation for both customers and partners.”

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