European tech cooperation with US education.

Strategic partnership for smart manufacturing, engineering education announced.

Purdue University and sister companies Rittal and Eplan have announced a major strategic partnership. The five-year collaboration centers around the Purdue Polytechnic Institute and was officially sealed at the Rockwell Automation Fair in Chicago last November. The partnership will see Purdue join the Rittal + Eplan Partner Network as a research partner with a focus on design of advancing smart manufacturing education and preparing students for the next industrial revolution.

Signing of the partnership agreement in Chicago: (front row) Dr Daniel Castro (centre), Dean of Purdue Polytechnic, Sebastian Seitz (left), CEO of Eplan, and Jochen Trautmann (right), CEO Rittal Automation Systems.

Purdue will open two dedicated labs on its campus: an Eplan Electrical Engineering Technology Projects Lab and a Rittal Automation Systems Lab, where students can conduct studies and gain practical experience in data-driven processes in plant engineering, wire assembly, and wiring. The collaboration will provide Purdue students and faculty with unparalleled access to an integrated ecosystem of hardware and software at the forefront of automation and fabrication sectors.

The comprehensive partnership also includes plans for scholarships, internships, and joint research and development initiatives, with potential engagement extending to the Purdue Polytechnic High School network. The cooperation will include a substantial number of Eplan software licenses for students as well as further investments by Rittal and Eplan.

“Purdue Polytechnic has always sought to prepare new generations for tech-driven industries, and this partnership is the perfect embodiment of that mission,” said Daniel Castro, Purdue Polytechnic dean. “By integrating world-class solutions from Rittal and Eplan into our curriculum, we are going beyond theory. Students will develop the hands-on skills and technological fluency needed to lead.”

The partnership has a mutually beneficial design. It will create a direct pipeline of skilled talent for industry while providing students with critical exposure to technologies used by leading companies everywhere. Purdue students will gain hands-on experience with the Eplan Platform for electrical engineering design and the related data-driven approach with automation systems and system enclosures from Rittal, ensuring that future leaders in these sectors are industry ready, day one.

For Rittal and Eplan, the partnership represents a significant investment in the future of the U.S. workforce and an opportunity to collaborate on innovative research. As part of the Friedhelm Loh Group, the companies have a long tradition of engaging with science and education in Europe and are excited to extend this model to the United States.

“Purdue Polytechnic’s tradition of preparing their students for immediate industry impact makes them the perfect match,” said Sebastian Seitz, CEO of Eplan. “Purdue will continue to build on its excellent reputation through cooperation with industrial top players, while Rittal and Eplan look forward to smart impulses from cutting-edge research and education. Purdue students will be the engineers who bring advanced concepts to the U.S. economy, applying their knowledge to drive the next wave of industrial innovation. We are proud to invest in the talent that will move the world forward.”

“The U.S. economy has a great opportunity for growth,” Seitz said. “A deep understanding of data-driven automation with high-quality data right from the start is the key to unlocking this growth especially in an era of skilled labor shortages. That domain knowledge forms the basis for the next level: real-life value creation with industrial AI. This partnership is about laying that foundation.”

The collaboration is already yielding tangible opportunities for students. Purdue students developed a capstone project that was presented last fall in the innovation area of the Rockwell Automation Fair. Rittal and Eplan sponsored the project and also invited more than 100 Purdue students to the internationally relevant event to provide them with invaluable networking opportunities with industry executives. Further strengthening the partnership, executives from Rittal and Eplan will join the Purdue Polytechnic Dean’s Advisory Council.

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Expanded provision of device data agreed.

CADENAS is now the newest member of the Eplan Partner Network. CADENAS Managing Director Terry Jonen and Eplan Managing Director Haluk Menderes signed the new technology partnership agreement in November 2025. The stated goal of the cooperation is the expanded provision of technical device data via the Eplan Data Portal, which will be implemented using a direct interface between the Data Portal and the CADENAS platform 3Dfindit.

Haluk Menderes, Eplan and
CADENAS MD Terry Jonen at SPS 2025.

This technology partnership will make it easier for Eplan users to find the right device data. “CADENAS is a strong partner who will help us considerably extend the range of device data available on the Eplan Data Portal with additional, validated content,” said Eplan Managing Director Haluk Menderes. “For our customers, this cooperation is significant. The connectivity to the CADENAS device database expands our quite comprehensive selection of device data with completely new, sometimes very complex configuration data – for instance for the energy sector.” 

Speaking about the newly sealed deal, CADENAS Managing Director Terry Jonen says, “With the planned connection of 3Dfindit to the Eplan Data Portal, we’re making it easier for engineers to access precise, up-to-date product data and are thereby increasing the added value for our common customers.”

Comprehensive digital device data is indispensable for design engineers. It accelerates project planning and increases efficiency in engineering, making invaluable contributions to greater data consistency. To achieve this, the companies will be developing an interface to the CADENAS portal that users will be able to access via the Eplan Data Portal, meaning directly via the Eplan cloud. Eplan and CADENAS will be working closely together to design the interface, and both companies will be engaging in continued dialogue with component manufacturers.

The advantages for users at a glance:

• Eplan users benefit from a significantly expanded range of data on offer, for instance for complex designs
• Design engineers will have additional options when selecting device data
• Data consistency throughout the entire engineering process also increases

Now that the agreement has been signed, the technical implementation is getting started. In the coming months, both partners will set up technical working groups to define the specific measures with a view to gradually expanding the cooperation. The goal is to validate added value for common customers along the value chain. This involves various topics and industries for instance the energy sector. For Eplan users, this will mean increased depth of data and data consistency.

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The complete digital twin of machines and plant systems.

The foundation for efficient engineering across disciplines.

Eplan has used this opportunity, with its new Eplan Platform 2026, to completely redevelop its entire portfolio, with an even greater focus on customers and their requirements in their respective market segments. One central point is the significant reduction in complexity. The new software portfolio makes the full power of the Eplan Platform clearer and with numerous enhancements provides a comprehensive complete solution in specific application fields. Furthermore, the Eplan Platform can easily be integrated into existing IT landscapes.

EPLAN's Jan Fleming

Companies are facing enormous challenges right now in successfully configuring their businesses and making them secure for the future. Solutions provider Eplan supports its customers in shortening the time to value. Comprehensive solutions have been created for this that are customised to the tasks and workflows in individual industries and customer segments and customers can immediately use them, optimised to their full extent for basic engineering, electrical engineering and control cabinet manufacturing without having to evaluate and procure additional modules and options.

Eplan’s Vice President Customer Journey Jan Fleming explains: “We have systematically aligned our product portfolio toward the tasks and workflows of our customers. The Eplan Platform 2026 provides maximum support for users in their respective application fields. This means more simplicity in engineering and at the same time valuable additional services that help our customers become even more efficient.”

All products in the Eplan Platform 2026 have been fundamentally reworked and functionally expanded and can be considered the new benchmark for electrical engineering. The launch is being accompanied by a complete new product portfolio. Previously optional extensions are now standard in some version of the software. The portfolio has been tailored to the specific requirements of certain market segments: Eplan Preplanning meets these requirements for operators and planners. Control cabinet construction is planned using Eplan Pro Panel and machine builders will find all the relevant functionality for their tasks in Eplan Electric P8.

New features include the cloud-based Eplan collaboration apps, the Eplan Data Portal, parts management eStock and eManage for data management, all of which are included in the scope of services for Eplan Electric P8, Eplan Pro Panel and Eplan Preplanning. Previously optional extensions are now included in some configuration levels. This allows users to make their processes even more efficient and consistent. This holds true for all project phases and for different industries from concept development to detail engineering and manufacturing to commissioning and operations.

Support for operators as well.
For instance, Eplan Preplanning now also covers electrical engineering requirements in the early planning phase in the form of single-line schematics in addition to the integration of preplanning data and professional creation of P&I diagrams. So aside from being able to be used by system integrators, the software can now also be used by operators and planners in basic engineering. Users benefit from preconfigured contents such as symbols, example data and forms that are specifically tailored to the tasks in machine building, control cabinet and switchgear system engineering, energy technology and building automation.

Flexible with or without the use of cloud services.
Depending on the configuration level, customers can now also collaborate internally and externally using the Eplan Cloud: cloud-based apps for device management, data management and the view of Eplan projects using the Viewer and now included. As soon as users activate their licences for the Eplan Platform 2026, the extended range of functionality is available to them. The only thing they have to do is install the new software – at no additional cost.

The new platform can also be integrated into ERP and PDM system via standardised interfaces. Digital data from the electrical engineering can also be used directly in manufacturing of control cabinets and by wiring machines and plant systems. In the area of automation technology, commercially available PLC planning and programming systems can also be directly connected via standard formats.

Accessing relevant data faster.
Another important new feature is that access from device management in Eplan now allows direct device data selection in the Data Portal. Users no longer have to “jump” from the Platform to the Portal. Just a click in Eplan Electric P8 brings them directly to device selection in the Portal and they can immediately download the required project data. This also applies to the cloud-based device management. In addition, devices can be described even more precisely with more than 400 new properties for devices.

Last but not least. the Eplan Download Center is now available to every Eplan user. At eplan.com, users can directly access software, tools, useful eLearning contents and licencing information. There they will also find information about the version currently in use as well as individual updates, which allow even larger jumps for updates to older versions with just a click.

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Data portal progress.

Data isn’t just the driver for project planning and design. The Eplan Data Portal offers users access to high-quality product catalogues from a continually growing pool of renowned component manufacturers. The portal has now passed the mark of more than two-million sets of static device data from around five hundred manufacturers! By using integrated configurators, users have far more than four million data sets at their fingertips. It’s a nearly limitless and ever-increasing variety of components that can quickly and easily be integrated into projects – and the data quality is naturally top notch.

Around five hundred manufacturers are represented in the Eplan Data Portal – and the numbers keep rising.

More than four million device data sets available means an enormous amount of variety for projects. However, it isn’t just the quantity, but rather the quality of the data. “Quantity and quality is something that goes hand in hand for us,” says Eplan Head of Content Quality Management Rainer Ackermann. “We have high expectations for the quality and completeness of the data sets so that we can offer our users the greatest possible added value. That’s also why we continue to work on the Eplan Data Standard, or EDS.” Manufacturers are also striving to meet these expectations of providing data sets that are as comprehensive as possible. This can include components for control cabinets, the 3D representation of a device, dimensions for drilling patterns, connection diagrams as well as commercial data, device numbers and text descriptions.

Siemens energy automation and building technology integrated.
Siemens has been represented in the Data Portal with energy automation and building automation products for many years. Now, protection and automation devices from the Siprotec 5 family have been added. Protection, automation, and monitoring of the power grid are essential for a resilient network. "We need a secure and reliable power supply to establish a sustainable infrastructure and achieve our net-zero goals," explains Stefan Werben, Portfolio Manager of Siprotec Medium Voltage Products at Siemens, adding: "We are pleased that we can now additionally support those customers who have chosen Eplan as their engineering platform to efficiently realize their projects in the construction, operation, and expansion of plants."

Sauter, a leading technology manufacturer in the field of building automation, system integration and building services, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and Freiburg, Germany, recently added to the Eplan Data Portal their ecos504/505 range of products for integrated room automation. “The positive feedback from our customers as well as from within our own company has motivated us to provide even more device data in the Eplan Data Standard,” says Sauter Head of Marketing and Product Management Peter Schoenenberger.

Rittal has stored around 7,300 devices in the Portal

A majority of the device data stored in the portal – 1.4 of more than 2 million components – are already available in the Eplan Data Standard. The EDS increases and guarantees the quality of the data sets so that they can be used efficiently – ideally from engineering through to production. Rittal has around 7,300 devices stored in the Eplan Data Portal – around 5,600 of them in the Eplan Data Standard. These include control cabinets, control cabinet accessories, Blue e+ climate control devices and more. 

There are almost no limits globally speaking as well: If a device data set is created using ECLASS as a step file in an IEC format (the European standard), the Eplan software automatically also supports the NFPA device data set (the American standard). With this multi-standard support in one single data set, macros can also be saved in accordance with various standards that the Eplan Electric P8 software then recognises automatically. Furthermore, modifiable data from configurators and selectors of various manufacturers can also be used. These have linked their product catalogues directly with the Eplan Data Portal.

Development continues Less visible but at least as important is the continued development of the data quality in the Eplan Data Portal. This year the focus is on preassembled cables. To ensure that machine cabling works as efficiently as possible with the new Eplan Cable proD solution, 3D data for the connectors is also being successively introduced. Technically speaking, functional improvements are also on the horizon: The Eplan Data Portal will be able to be directly integrated into local device management with the upcoming release of the new Eplan Platform 2026. This will again even further simplify selecting components and accelerate project planning and design work.

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Seamless data interoperability for machines.

Siemens and Eplan are to make engineering and production processes for customers in machine and line building more efficient.

This will be achieved by both companies significantly expanding data interoperability between their offerings. The automated interaction between Siemens’ Teamcenter X® software, TIA Portal, Eplan Electric P8 and Eplan Pro Panel makes engineering information available right on Eplan and vice-versa. Customers will benefit from a more efficient tool chain for machine and line engineering, making electrical engineering much faster and less prone to errors.

Accelerating the digital transformation with Siemens Xcelerator.

• Seamless data exchange between Siemens’ Teamcenter® X software, TIA-Selection Tool and the Eplan software
• Collaboration improves tool chain in machine engineering
• Machine builders can realize their projects in construction, operation and expansion faster and more efficiently

This collaboration expands Siemens’ and Eplan’s partner ecosystems. The Siemens Xcelerator open digital business platform creates a powerful ecosystem of partners that’s accelerating the digital and sustainable transformation of industry. Eplan customers are benefiting from the extended collaboration via the Eplan Partner Network.

"The partnership between Siemens and Eplan is a milestone in digital engineering. The optimized data exchange enables customers to realize their projects in construction, operation and expansion faster and more efficiently," said Cedrik Neike, member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO of Digital Industries. “With this collaboration we’re strengthening our Siemens Xcelerator ecosystem and are creating more value for our customers than each of us could individually."

Eplan CEO Sebastian Seitz added: "With this collaboration, Eplan and Siemens are bringing together their extensive experience in machine engineering to provide our joint customers with an end-to-end engineering tool chain. This makes engineering processes much faster and less prone to errors."

Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Loh, owner and chairman of Friedhelm Loh Group and Cedrik Neike, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO of Digital Industries sealed the agreement at SPS

The collaboration between the two companies was agreed on by Cedrik Neike and Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Loh, owner and chairman of Friedhelm Loh Group, at the SPS trade show (Eplan is part of the Friedhelm Loh Group). The improved offerings will become successively available to customers beginning next year.

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Access to centralised device management.

When searching for a component in Eplan eStock, the system display potential hits in the Eplan Data Portal.

Eplan eStock – the cloud-based device management system on the Eplan Platform – lets users manage and maintain device data right in a browser, including voltages, currents, data sheets and component designations. They have already had access to the data stored there since Version 2023. This all makes collaboration easier and reduces coordination times and media discontinuities. The data is thus more consistent and of higher quality – after all, there is no need for multiple data entry. This is also reflected in the project quality while taking into account all the required standards.

Eplan eStock gives companies access to centralised device man-agement in the Eplan Cloud, simplifying colla-boration and reducing coordination times and media discontinuities. Working with eStock has become even easier in the Eplan Platform 2024, meaning that users can automatically and quickly access the full range of more than 1.5 million device datasets in the Eplan Data Portal. Another benefit is that all the data – from a company’s in-house device manage-ment system or from the Data Portal – can be edited together and saved via user rights management.

New: Eplan Data Portal integration.
Now a few crucial innovations have been added: devices can be imported from the Eplan Data Portal into eStock. When making the first keystrokes for the entry, users see all devices in their own database in addition to all the relevant devices for the search in the Eplan Data Portal. Users can then open the desired device in the same window and, in case it hasn’t been already, import it with one or two clicks. When items are transferred from the Data Portal into Eplan eStock, the software initially created a draft version – meaning that previously approved device data isn’t automatically “overwritten” but the saving must instead be actively confirmed – i.e., accepted – by the user. Users can thus add data and/or make changes to the draft version before approving it and actually using the device in a project.

Eplan Platform 2024 – faster data access.
Another practical benefit is that users have access to more than 1.5 million device datasets in eStock with the new direct integration to the Eplan Data Portal. Component manufacturers involved in the Data Portal upload new and/or updated data on an ongoing basis and the pool of device data is continually growing. Eplan’s developers have also paid attention to efficiency when using data from the cloud and the system only downloads data changes to a local computer based on the last time it accessed eStock, considerably speeding up data access. Another performance gain also benefits users – in the Eplan Platform 2024, it is quick and easy to switch between the source of a local database and an eStock collection based in the Eplan Cloud. This also offers users considered time savings and even greater ease of use.

Better cross-departmental collaboration.
Eplan eStock, the centralised device data management system in the cloud, simplifies collaboration. Data sovereignty always lies with the company or the user, who determine the quality and level of access themselves. Standards can be easily and comprehensively implemented via rights management. Access to the centralised device management in the cloud is available to Eplan users with a subscription licence for the Eplan Platform 2023 at no additional cost.

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Optimized solution for switchgear manufacturers and electrical planners

Siemens Smart Infrastructure and Eplan have signed a strategic partnership to strengthen collaboration in the area of software solutions for the industry and infrastructure market segments. As part of this agreement, Siemens’ Electrical Products business unit will join the Eplan Partner Network as a strategic partner. The objective is to coordinate the products of both companies in a more targeted manner in order to offer optimized solutions for switchgear manufacturers and electrical planners.

Sebastian Seitz, CEO of Eplan, and Andreas Matthé, CEO of Electrical Products at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, signed the agreement on September 26, 2022.

“The overall goal of our collaboration is to create a plug-and-play structure for electrical planners. We want to open our tools bidirectionally for both sides and thus simplify and accelerate workflows,” said Andreas Matthé, CEO Siemens Electrical Products. 

Sebastian Seitz of Eplan has also emphasized the benefits for joint customers: “In switchgear construction, we can use Eplan Pro Panel to optimize processes and automate them to a greater extent. In addition, we will more specifically address the growing area of power distribution and work with Siemens to create end-to-end solutions for integrative, more efficient workflows.”

The industry segment comprises offerings and products for control panel building, while the infrastructure segment includes switchgear construction for power distribution. In the industry market segment, Siemens and Eplan will intensify the excellent cooperation that has existed for many years, for example, to provide Eplan data across all configured Siemens products. For the infrastructure market, Eplan and Siemens have decided to jointly optimize and automate customer processes, for instance in the Sivacon and Alpha environment (power distribution systems) by integrating Simaris (planning tools) and the Eplan platform.

Both parties will contribute their expertise to the benefit of their joint customers to enable more efficient workflows in switchgear construction and power distribution.

Eplan offers engineering software and services in the fields of electrical engineering, automation, and mechatronics. The company develops one of the world's leading software solutions for machine, switchgear, and control panel builders. In addition, it helps customers simplify challenging engineering processes.

Siemens’ Electrical Products offers products for a safe and efficient electrical infrastructure at the low-voltage level in buildings and industrial environments, including safety and control products, measuring and monitoring devices, switches, and sockets. Furthermore, the business unit’s portfolio includes communication-enabled software tools that can be used to connect power distribution products to building and industrial automation, as well as to open cloud-based IoT systems.

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e-Fair!

The EPLAN Virtual Fair is taking place for the seventh time running – this time in the run up to the Hannover Messe on 4 & 5 May 2022.

Collaboration is everything | How can people collaborate better, work together more efficiently and remain competitive in the ecosystem of industrial automation? This year’s 2022 Eplan Virtual Fair gets to the bottom of these questions. Partner keynote presentations by ABB, Phoenix Contact and Rittal, live talks by Eplan and Rockwell Automation, best practices, country-specific webcasts, and software demonstrations provide deep insights into practical applications and what’s in store for engineering on the technology side of things.

Which trends will distinguish the engineering of the future? How has Eplan aligned its solutions and services for the coming challenges its customers will be facing? These and many other questions will be addressed by the experts from solutions provider Eplan over two full days and several time zones. 

Haluk Menderes

Eplan partners including ABB, Beckhoff, Phoenix Contact and Rockwell Automation will also be sharing their concepts and best practices with attendees during the event. “We’re very pleased that this year’s Eplan Virtual Fair will be focusing entirely on collaboration in engineering,” says Eplan Managing Director Haluk Menderes. “Collaboration between stakeholders in the ecosystem, not to mention between Eplan and its customers, is everything – and we’re happy to be bringing it to an international stage.”

The workflow sets the tone in engineering
Timothy J. McCain, who’s responsible for the Digital Partner Program at Rockwell Automation, will be presenting practical insights into the ecosystem of industrial automation from the point of view of a global player.
Vice President Industrial Cabinet Solutions Dr Andreas Schreiber at Phoenix Contact will be demonstrating the potential that standardised, AML-based workflows hold in “Smart Engineering and Production.”
The partner keynote presentation by ABB will be focusing on electrical engineering using Eplan and ABB e-Configure; those interested can look forward to seeing how just a few clicks gets configuration started in a talk by ABB Global Data Center Segment Manager Aleksandar Grbic.

Collaboration is everything
Other Eplan customers will be sharing their best practices with attendees: President Brenden Fritz of Automation Drive Systems in Omaha, Nebraska, will be taking attendees on a journey to digital prototyping – using the augmented reality features in eView Free AR, he will show how his company utilises its potential in control cabinet manufacturing.
BEB Solutions CEO Jens Brinkmann will be sharing completely new avenues in 3D cabling using Eplan Harness proD. Additional companies that participate in the Eplan Partner Network will have their own presentation areas in the virtual space and will also be available to answer questions in chat.

Eplan Austria, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Hungary, as well as Brazil and Canada, will be holding live session in those countries’ national languages and will be available for questions in chat. As in years previous, inspiring industry topics from the automotive, energy, building technology and process industry sectors will round off the numerous live talks.

The better the communication, the more successful the project On day one there will be seven different live demonstrations on software topics and experts will be giving practical insights into the innovations of the Eplan Platform. The conference programme will also be taking a look at the manifold opportunities the Eplan Cloud offers and also examine the potential efficiency gains of the integrated value chain in panel building and control cabinet manufacturing. A live (video) chat will offer participants the possibility to network in virtual space, and there will be lots more fun on the agenda with a prize draw.

Those interested can register free of charge here.

@EPLAN_global @mepaxIntPR #Pauto #Automation

Full version of innovative cloud software.

The free version of eManage allowed users to upload, share and manage EPLAN Platform projects in the cloud environment. EPLAN is now presenting the full version of the software, which offers considerably more added value: master data can be accessed in the cloud as can supplementary documents, and performance is increased with additional capacity. Collaboration is at the heart of the application, which networks OEMs, system integrators, machine builders and operators.

The full version of eManage has been available since the release of the new EPLAN Platform 2022 in September. The fee-based expansion stage of this innovative cloud software enables the first steps towards roundtrip-enabled engineering in automation.

Full information throughout the entire project

Claas Schreibmüller

As of yet, if a project is shared in the cloud, the schemat-ics are visible, but not all the accompanying documenta-tion. The full version of EPLAN eManage offers added value in this area. Project stakeholders are provided access to all data and documentation relevant to the project, including bills of materials as well as neutral documents in Excel. These become interchangeable with a uniform foundation of data. EPLAN Head of Engineering Solutions Claas Schreibmüller explains: “The complete overview of customer requirements and project require-ments provides more transparency for all stakeholders involved in developing a machine or plant system.” Appropriate rights management ensures that data access can be precisely regulated.

Master data available everywhere
Many people work from home these days and this is where users often bump up against system limits: while they may be able to access a project, they often cannot access the corresponding master data that is specified as a standard throughout a company for design projects. EPLAN eManage now offers the exchange of system-relevant master data that can be easily retrieved and, as necessary, taken along according to the “pack & go” principle. Project managers can thus very easily make master data centrally available. Putting it all in a nutshell, Schreibmüller says: “Wherever the user works, all relevant master data can be accessed and don’t have to be laboriously copied.”

Backward compatibility ensures access to projects
Version requirements in supplier specifications or calls for proposals often mean project partners are faced with the challenge of using several different versions of EPLAN software. With the new version of eManage, projects from the EPLAN Platform 2022 can, as an example, be saved to be backwards compatible for e.g. Version 2.9. This eliminates the need to maintain multiple versions of the EPLAN software without violating contract terms and ends up simplifying the entire workflow in the supplier environment.

More storage for optimal performance
With the free version of eManage, users so far have had access to 10 gigabytes of storage capacity in the EPLAN Cloud. With the full version, this capacity increases by an additional 10 gigabytes for each “seat” in the company, and this increased storage space is available to everyone. There is also another benefit that pays off for companies with increased performance: the additional cloud storage is an active collaboration environment and not just purely storage capacity. This also ensures optimal conditions for global collaboration across national borders. Users of EPLAN software who use the Conversion Package as part of changing over to a subscription automatically receive access to the full version of eManage.

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Software partnership for launch in North Wales learning centre.

The EPLAN software and partnership with LCA Group, is due to be unveiled to students at the Coleg Cambria Learning Centre on Thursday, 21 October 2021. The event will include presentations by Alan Sheppard, MD at LCD Group,  and Nick Tyson, Vice Principal of the college’s Institute of Technology. It will also provide students with a foretaste of the system’s capabilities, including its automated data input, how to create 3D electrical system design models, and developing a digital twin as the foundation for efficient production.

Alan Shephard

Alan Shephard says: “LCA Group already supports a robust apprenticeship programme to grow the talent and teach the future workforce how to compete in today’s environment. The partnership with EPLAN is a first step in a wider LCA Group programme to help now establish even closer ties with the college. We want to also give students additional, first-hand experience of electrical engineering, with visits to our facility, access to our experienced engineers and, of course, the continuation of our apprenticeship scheme.” 

Ken Christie, EPLAN UK Country Director concludes “the partnership with LCA Group and Coleg Cambria lends itself perfectly to aligning student skillsets with that of current industry trends and requirements. By supporting students with their use of EPLAN software, students will have experience of using relevant tools, therefore building their confidence as they prepare to join the workforce.”

EPLAN is committed to encouraging and supporting new entrants into the engineering profession, offering its software free of charge to higher education colleges and training centres to help support apprenticeship training. The only cost to the college is an annual charge for access to both the expert team on the EPLAN helpdesk, access to the EPLAN Data Portal, and for annual software updates.

LCA Group based in Hawarden (CYM),  have a long history of recruiting apprentices from Coleg Cambria and identified EPLAN’s Education solution as a potentially great opportunity to help local students get on the path to a successful career in engineering.

The Coleg Cambria & LCA Partnership

After working with EPLAN since 2017 and establishing a strong relationship, EPLAN’s offer to higher education establishments was brought to the LCA Group’s attention by their account manager, Simon Jackson. From there, and in a British first, LCA Group and Coleg Cambria agreed that the college would use EPLAN in their upcoming courses, and that LCA Group would financially support the annual charge for students to gain access to EPLAN support, which includes software updates and helpdesk facilities, for the next 5 years. Coleg Cambria is a higher education college with six sites across North East Wales. Rated Excellent by Estyn (Education and Training authority in Wales), Coleg Cambria is one of the highest performing colleges in Wales, and it’s anticipated that more than 200 students each year, five engineering courses (BEng, HNC, BTEC Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Enhanced and Extended groups) plus IMA (Day Release) will benefit from this partnership.

In addition to software and support being provided, EPLAN will also be providing lesson plan materials to ensure that students have an identical learning experience to that which EPLAN provides direct to its customers, and full training on the software for the course lecturer.

Teaching students to use CAE (computer aided engineering) software is a new venture for the college – and a relatively new development for British engineering. Prior to EPLAN’s software, electrical engineers had to use mechanical engineering CAD (computer aided design) packages to create their designs. EPLAN’s software offers a bespoke system, with a proven capability to increase efficiency and facilitate an easier path between design and production.

Dan Jones, Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, at Coleg Cambria IoT advises: “Having access to EPLAN will mean our learners now have the opportunity to understand how modern industrial electrical panels are designed. Using an industry-standard CAE software system will provide them with valuable experience in creating and interpreting industrial panel electrical schematics.

“Coleg Cambria has a long history of working in partnership with employers across NE Wales and we continue to develop our teaching resources in line with advances in manufacturing technology.

“We (Coleg Cambria Institute of Technology (IoT)) hope to further develop our training to include advanced fault-finding skills and techniques, in order to better prepare our electrical engineers for the future; EPLAN will undoubtedly assist in this area.”

LCA Group’s EPLAN Systems Implementation

LCA Group is a leading engineering company based in Hawarden, and can testify to the efficacy of the EPLAN CAE software having been an EPLAN customer since 2017. The company has implemented a suite of EPLAN systems during that time including:

• EPLAN Pro-Panel. Generates 3D electrical system models, creating a digital twin as the foundation for panel production.
• EPLAN eVIEW. Cloud-based, cross-team system allowing real-time collaboration.
• EPLAN Smart Wiring. Provides engineers with routing, end points, cable designation, plus the size and colour of each wire.

All these solutions interface seamlessly with LCA’s other investment on the shop-floor - its Rittal manufacturing automation systems. The combination has transformed the company’s product development and manufacturing processes, however, the issue the company faces is finding skilled staff to maintain its workforce.

Alan Sheppard, managing director of LCA Group, advised: “Finding the right talent is a perpetual challenge for every business, but for electrical engineering companies like ours there is the additional shift in how we deliver for the requirements of Industry 4.0, and the challenges and opportunities that brings.

“Our teams will be required to manage systems and data to develop, design, read and understand engineering concepts and systems as well as using this information in ever more automated environments. CAE software packages such as EPLAN will become standard in the very near future and it is critical that those coming into engineering adopt these now so they are industry ready.

“Full automation is a long way off, if ever truly achievable so we will still need skilled technicians and engineers to use and operate these systems and equipment – and to do the skilled work that can’t be done through automation.”

@EPLAN_DE @LCA_Group_Ltd @ColegCambriaCym @EstynAEM #Design #CAD 

The future of electrotechnical engineering.

Eplan is heralding the future of electrotechnical engineering, with a focus on ease of use for both experienced users and for newcomers to the software with their new Eplan Platform 2022. The intuitive user interface, based on use concepts most will already be familiar with, offers a high degree of recognition and improves the user experience at the same time.

Eplan Platform 2022 is characterised by being easy to use and delivering high performance.

The new platform is now ready for launch and includes a newly designed user interface, improved workflows and many additional functions in connection with complementary cloud services. Overall, the new engineering software is characterised by its ease of use and high performance. This can be seen in the integrated ribbon bars, the Backstage View users may recognise from many other established software solutions, and significantly improved user ergonomics. The new, more intuitive user interface takes its cues from common international user concepts, making it easy to get started with the software.

Workflows in the age of digitalisation
The Eplan developers also really focused on the topic of workflows and designed the software to improve collaboration along the industrial value chain. This is because CAE solutions such as the Eplan Platform are something like a company’s “backbone” in engineering and product development. They are typically very deeply integrated into the customers’ infrastructure and strategy, and are planned years ahead on the investment side of things. So one of the clear goals as the company was developing the Eplan Platform 2022 was optimising data exchange between the individual stakeholders in companies’ ecosystems. Cloud applications such as Eplan eBuild, eManage (now also available in a full version), and eView provide additional impetus for completely new forms of collaboration in the context of the Eplan Platform. The added value of the new cloud-based software solutions enables greatly improved cooperation between companies and their customers, partners and suppliers.

Tested and put through its paces
Electrical Designer Markus Sommer at J. Wagner GmbH, one of the global leading manufacturers of innovative coating technology for surface finishing, is convinced of the new user interface. “The uniform user guidance in the new Eplan Platform 2022, based on established concepts from today’s working world, really makes it easy to quickly get started with the software, especially for new employees. The myriad functions that Eplan offers are well structured and clearly arranged, and the integrated ribbon technology is just fun to use.”

Sometimes the added value can be found in the details, as it is for Eplan Administrator Michael Noack at KSV, a control cabinet manufacturer in Koblenz, (D). One of Noack’s responsibilities is maintaining the master data. He took a very deep dive into the Eplan Platform 2022 as a beta tester and for him, the new device management functions is a clear step forward: it now allows all a device’s properties to be saved depending on the variant. 

“The technical properties can now be depicted with more variation and greater precision in the new Eplan Platform 2022,” he explains. “With routing, for example, it is now possible to correctly map auxiliary contact blocks of contactors whose connection change their physical position depending on the substructure.” As a result, the connection diagram is even more precise and aside from simplifying the electrical engineering, it also makes the later routing within the control cabinet even easier.

Changeover to subscription model
The Eplan Platform 2022 is exclusively available as a subscription. This minimises the investment risk by way of low entry prices and more flexible planning possibilities for individual software use. With these subscriptions, Eplan is also strengthening its relationships with its customers to better address what they actually need for their daily work.

@EPLAN_global @EPLAN_DE @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Manufacturing

Resolving media disruptions in data transfer.

Today’s ecosystem of industrial automation is characterised by many media disruptions during the processing and transfer of documentation. It is essential to resolve these issues within the development process for machines and plant systems – via targeted collaboration among all stakeholders and systems. Data created in the engineering process must be shared with everyone involved in the process. The ideal goal: machine builders and system integrators, control cabinet manufacturers, component manufacturers and also the machine or plant system operator all work networked together.

Operators of production facilities, machine builders and system integrators, control cabinet manufacturers and component manufacturers all have one thing in common: they all work together along the value chain, from the planning through to operating a finished machine or plant system – and continuously exchange information in the process.

The ecosystem of industrial automation
What does this process – the collaboration among the various process participants – look like today? In the planning phase, the characteristics of the desired machine or plant system are described. If the company has particular supplier specifications, these are also detailed and then passed on to the operator, who takes the specifications into account when designing the machine or system. The planning phase is followed by the preplanning process. Additional information such as devices, release lists from Excel, specifications in Word or preplanning tools such as Eplan Preplanning are taken into account and, in turn, are used by the basic engineering designers to prepare a quote, for instance. In the case of more complex production lines, this is traditionally taken care of by a system integrator, who is also responsible for the detailed engineering and for generating electrical and fluid-power schematics.

The new Eplan Platform 2022 with a completely redesigned user interface: the practical ribbon bars using modern technology flexibly adapt to the application.

Data is enriched in the Eplan Project
The project created with systems of the Eplan Platform – Eplan Electric P8 or Eplan Fluid, for example – is now transferred to the control cabinet manufacturer. This manufacturer creates the virtual prototype of the switchgear system in the form of a 3D assembly of the control cabinet using Eplan Pro Panel. The control cabinet is then built, approved and commissioned by the operator. With the delivery of the switchgear system, the control cabinet manufacturer processes are complete. The company hands over the Eplan Project, which has been enriched with data, back to the machine builder or system integrator, who then commissions the machine or plant system based on the final project data. The project is then made available to the operator, who can access the current documentation, for instance using Eplan eView, in the event that servicing or maintenance becomes necessary, and who can digitally document any changes using the redlining function as needed.

This process describes the daily work in this ecosystem of industrial automation. The challenge, however, is that all the data for an automation project is created and added at various stations along the value chain. Often, all the project participants are working with partially inconsistent data, which ends up making the process even more time consuming and error prone. For instance, the drive power of a motor is changed at some later point in a project, but this change isn’t taken into account when the machine or plant system is commissioned. As a result, the documentation is not up to date.

All changes in a project are centrally available in Eplan eView. The advantages are obvious: project documentation is always up to date – along the entire product life cycle and into operation and service scenarios.

A “data container” as the central source of information
This is where Eplan comes in: the systems of the upcoming Eplan Platform 2022, in combination with the new Eplan eManage cloud service, network together machine builders and system integrators, control cabinet manufacturers, component manufacturers and the operators of machines or plant systems. Eplan CEO Sebastian Seitz explains: “We connect companies with their clients and suppliers via the cloud, for easy and secure data sharing. The Eplan Project as the central, digital model of an automation solution supplies all processes with the necessary data. What we’re talking about is a sort of ‘data container’ that is fed from the systems of the Eplan Platform. This generates added value in the digitised collaboration of all participants – through secure data transfer and central access to the Eplan Project.” A new feature includes the connection to the cloud via Eplan ePulse, which also significantly facilitates mobile working in design and engineering.

An important building block is device data, which is provided on the Eplan Data Portal. What matters here is the quality and depth of the data, something being intensively advanced with the Data Standard.

Cross-project collaboration via the cloud
Using the new Eplan eManage, projects can easily be uploaded to the cloud and managed and shared from there. More specifically, this brings together the worlds of on-premises software and the cloud. Clear access rights via role management ensure data security and provide flexibility for accessing projects. Users of Eplan Electric P8 and Eplan Pro Panel can conveniently upload their projects to the cloud and transfer them to the Eplan Platform for further processing. This is accomplished without the time-consuming sending of project data via email or using an FTP server. And the centralised, clear availability in the cloud also enables all project participants to search quickly for specific content. With Eplan eView, all the changes in a project are centrally available. The advantages are obvious: project documentation is always up to date – along the entire product life cycle and into operation and service scenarios. 

High-quality digital device data is a key factor in: • Processing orders in shop floor management and deriving production orders. • Controlling automated machine fleets (Rittal Automation Systems). • Providing information to partially automated workstations (for instance, simplifying wiring processes with Eplan Smart Wiring).

An important component of this method of working is device data, which is provided on the Eplan Data Portal. Seitz says, “What matters here is the quality and depth of the data, something we are intensively advancing with the Data Standard.” Comprehensive, integrated and end-to-end digital data serves as a project accelerator. And don’t forget, the data are consistent and the data transfer is secure.

Seitz continues: “With these optimised processes and increased efficiency, companies can optimise their machine and plant system design processes and sustainably increase the availability of their machines and plant systems. Collaboration among all participants ultimately increases the quality of the data and thus the added value.”

@EPLAN_global @mepaxIntPR #PAuto 

Virtual event unites automation industry for digital technologies in Britain.

Following the recent announcement from the British Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, where £53 million funding is being made available for manufacturers to boost competitiveness through digital technologies, Rittal and Eplan have partnered with the likes of GAMBICA, B&R, Machineering, Omron, Panasonic, Phoenix Contact and Rockwell Automation, to bring The Future Forum. The online event aims to address the scope, possible effects of automation as well as the solutions currently available.

The event’s strongly practical orientation will be particularly in evidence with live talks and software demonstrations which provide insights into industry trends, as well as tips and tricks that’ll help to streamline daily tasks in engineering and manufacturing.

Among the many highlights of the Future Forum will be keynote presentations from both GAMBICA and the Rittal and Eplan management board. Nikesh Mistry, Sector Head for Industrial Automation at GAMBICA will be kicking off the series of talks and demonstrations and will discuss the latest industry trends and how the pandemic has acted as a catalyst for digital innovation and adoption. Nikesh will also talk through challenges faced and obstacles tackled by members and how digitalisation has helped companies with efficiency, sustainability and profitability.

Live between 09:00 and 17:00 on the 6th October, all those interested in attending can register free of charge here. 

Shane Hope, Managing Director at Rittal comments “we’re witnessing rapid technological progress, with digital platforms, automation and many other innovations are changing the world around us. As we look to the future, we know that major changes will take place. The Rittal and Eplan Future Forum will provide the opportunity to network, participate in panel discussions and discover ways in which to overcome challenges associated with implementing automation.”

@Rittal_Ltd @EPLAN_global @beisgovuk @gambica #PAuto #Digitization #Britain

Where's the data?

Selecting appropriate product data in engineering is often time consuming. However, the new EPLAN Data Portal, with a new user interface and improved search algorithms, makes it easier and faster than ever before. Expanded search parameters mean that users can quickly find exactly the components they are looking for. Individualised solutions based on configurators can be intuitively generated – as demonstrated by the Lenze product configurator.

Timm Hauschke

EPLAN Director Cloud Business Master Data Timm Hauschke says: “The aspiration for high quality from the manufacturers coincides with the demands of our users. After all, only comprehensive, integrated, end to end data forms the foundation for the digital twin, which provides information for processes and to machines along all the stations of the process, from design engineering to manufacturing. The EPLAN Data Standard is being implemented worldwide since its introduction. Our goal is for device data to be available 100 percent digitally, thus providing the ideal foundation for highly efficient engineering.”

The new EPLAN Platform is on the verge of being released and will also mark the moment when the EPLAN Data Portal will exclusively be available for use in the EPLAN ePulse cloud environment. The platform’s updated user interface offers numerous enhancements for searching for and finding device data. Improved search algorithms and parameters make it much easier for users to quickly find the appropriate components to download. Increased system performance also ensures greater speed when selecting components. Another new feature is the integration of the Lenze product configurator.

Configurators streamline product selection

Lenze Easy Product Finder

Lenze Director of Team Processes and Data Bernd Spiegel explains: “The direct integration of our product configurator into the new EPLAN Platform lets customers very quickly find the product they need. There’s no need to search for devices in extensive lists and customers get the devices that match their requirements. Aside from which, this cooperation also provides benefits for Lenze as a manufacturer of many products and variants. Maintaining the data for the configurator in EPLAN Electric P8 is much easier for us than doing that for all the distinct variants of a product series.”

A real life example: A user needs a frequency inverter. Using the Lenze Easy Product Finder, said user needs just a few steps to find a suitable device from the company’s i550 series of devices. The defining characteristics such as rated power, supply network type, and the type of fieldbus network are included as selection criteria. Once users have decided on a particular device based on these parameters, the associated EPLAN data can be generated in the detail view and then imported into the CAE solution’s device management.

The configurators of additional manufacturers, including Endress+Hauser, Bosch Rexroth and Rittal, all work in a similar way. This makes each manufacturer portfolio easily accessible to design engineers. Selecting devices and acquiring high quality data is easy and intuitive. The data is up to date and can be transferred directly into projects. Similarly to configuring features for a new car, users are guided through the various product families of the assorted manufacturers. Integrating configurators doesn’t just expand the data available in the portal (more than 1 million data sets) by approximately two million configurable variants, it also makes it easier for users to compile high quality device data.

In addition, there are selectors from Aventics, IPF and Schneider Electric that ensure fast product selection. There’s no question that the data is correct thanks to the targeted narrowing of selections via search parameters. This portfolio will soon be expanded with the offerings from two additional well known global players – meaning users have even more to look forward to.

EPLAN Data Standard becoming entrenched

EDP Rittal enclosure

More than one third of the data on the portal already conforms to the new, high quality Data Standard, and solutions provider EPLAN has set further ambitious goals: half of all the device data should meet the Data Standard by the end of 2022, if possible. This calls for further commitments from device manufacturers, many of whom are recognising the benefits of having 100 percent digital data. Big players that have been pioneers in this in the international arena include Chint (China), IFM, Pilz, Rittal and SMC (Europe), Numatics (USA) and Omron (Japan).

Pilz Vice President Customer Support International Arndt Christ says: “We’re pleased that we can now offer our customers high quality engineering data. In 2020, we decided to create our Pilz product macros to conform with the EPLAN Data Standard. The data standardisation that is currently possible, which makes using the macros easier, benefits our inhouse engineering departments in our affiliated companies and, externally, our customers around the globe. While macros previously had to be inserted into designs using value sets, today it can be accomplished using a functional template. The benefits include improved networking of data – for instance between 2D and 3D – fewer errors because the wiring connections are precisely defined, and time savings above all because the macros are standardised. The new Data Standard, particularly the functional template, is a mark of quality for our macros and meets our expectations for high quality data. We have a dependable partner for the future in EPLAN, someone we can work with to continue advancing this approach.”

@EPLAN_global @Lenze_Gruppe @Pilz_INT @RittalIreland @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Data

Completely new user interface.

The highlight of the Eplan Platform 2022 is a completely new user interface that significantly improves the overall ease of use. The focus here is on simplicity and clarity, with optics and functionality based on state-of-the-art apps for mobile devices and internationally established desktop applications. Variable tabs give users direct access to important and often-used functions. 

A completely new user interface

The practical multifunctional toolbar with modern ribbon technology flexibly adapts to the application, for instance when switching from 2D to 3D. It also combines different menus and toolbars into one, making daily work easier for experienced users while at the same time enabling an efficient (re)introduction to the software. Furthermore, Eplan has completely redesigned the user interface for both 2D and 3D engineering. The overall result is a modern application with an optimal look and feel, not least via the support of dark and light modes.

Strong performance even for large projects
A completely new graphics module in the 2D area ensures optimal performance, even for large projects. Processing has been significantly accelerated, particularly when importing DXF or DWG files. The new centralised device management also serves as a performance driver and additionally offers more flexibility for converting device data by way of object-oriented data management. The integrated variant management allows users to save all device properties with the individual variant. Now devices can easily be assigned different macros in no time at all – for easy processing of external device data, even in combination with Excel.

Good overview at the project level
The new Backstage view lets users edit all aspects of an Eplan Project from a central location – for instance opening and creating projects, importing DWG files, and exporting PLC or manufacturing data. A list of the recently used projects provides an excellent overview – as does the logical organisation of all project-related actions. And the newly integrated insertion centre unifies all the functions for inserting symbols, macros and devices, including a graphic preview – everything that is needed for efficiently creating schematics. Frequently used components can be marked as favourites and tagged for individual workflows.

Eplan eManage combines Platform with the cloud
The new Eplan Platform 2022, which is being launched this summer under the motto “It’s in your hands”, features many more innovations. One of them is the direct connection of on-premise and the cloud. Now with Eplan eManage, projects from the Eplan Platform can be uploaded directly into the cloud environment and be shared and managed from there. The free version has been available since mid-March. The fact that the Eplan Platform 2022 is being offered exclusively as a subscription once again underpins the clear focus on the future. Especially in volatile times, the investment risk for companies is reduced by way of low entry prices and more flexible planning options for individual software use.

Eplan presented a first look at this Eplan Platform at Hannover Messe Digital Edition.

@EPLAN_DE @mepaxIntPR #Pauto #HM2 #HMI

Projects from the cloud!

The digital transformation of engineering continues advancing. As part of its cloud services, Eplan prsents a new service for cross-project collaboration – Eplan eManage – letting users upload Eplan Platform projects into the cloud environment and share and work on them there. The free version was launched in mid-March – an expanded, paid version will follow next August (2021).

Innovative cloud services and the systems of the EPLAN Platform are now become increasingly integrated. As a first step, the new software solution EPLAN eManage Free was launched. This free, cloud-based software enables the easy uploading of projects from the EPLAN Platform and web browsers into the secure ePulse cloud environment. A fee-based version of the software will be released later this year to offer expanded functionality.

Cross-project collaboration
EPLAN eManage makes it easy to upload, manage and share projects in the cloud. Since today’s ecosystem of industrial automation is characterised by many media discontinuities when processing and transferring docu-mentation, the advantages of this system are clear: the EPLAN Platform systems in connection with this new cloud service will network control cabinet manufacturers and panel builders, OEMs and system integrators as well as machine and plant system operators. They all work together in a central project that can be synchronised on the EPLAN Platform via eManage in roundtrip engineer-ing. Clear access rights and role assignments ensure data security and provide flexibility for project access. Users of EPLAN Electric P8 and EPLAN Pro Panel are already benefitting from these integrated processes whereby they can easily upload their projects into the cloud and transfer them back to the EPLAN Platform for further processing.

Direct data transfer to EPLAN eView
Users also need just one click to publish their project data directly in EPLAN eView. This allows defined stakehold-ers the opportunity to look and comment on entire projects. It further enables cross-company review processes to be digitally implemented. And thanks to this clear, central availability in the cloud, eManage supports project participants in quickly searching for specific content.

Synchronised, current data
EPLAN eManage means that the EPLAN Project is synchronised for all project participants and stakeholders. Changes in the project are visible to all participants and the project documentation is always current – across the entire project life cycle and even into operations and service scenarios.

@EPLAN_global @mepaxIntPR #PAuto 

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.”

@EPLAN_global #PAuto