IT in Manufacturing


The Eplan Partner Network

March 2023 IT in Manufacturing

Companies rely on a variety of software applications from different manufacturers. The Eplan Partner Network was founded to exploit the full potential of productive interactions between the various solutions in the environment of product configurators, CPQ, PLC and PLM/ERP. The network has set binding targets for further developing their integrations, creating a solid basis for the manufacturers. Customers benefit from the tested quality of the software, ongoing developments of such and a systematic increase in benefits to their own workflows. Open interfaces and deep integration offer a wide range of opportunities for implementing the digital transformation in the real world.

The watchword is integration

The Eplan Partner Network is a global framework organisation with companies divided into four types of partners: strategic partners, technology partners, solutions partners, and research partners. By way of joint development of integrations, not to mention quality assurance and support based on open interfaces, users derive the greatest possible benefits from the applications.

International partner expansion

Key players in automation were already participating in the network in early 2021, including the strategic partners Rittal, Phoenix Contact and Rockwell Automation, and which was expanded in 2022 to include Siemens and the company’s Smart Infrastructure division. Technology partners make up the most comprehensive area in the Eplan Partner Network, with 38 companies from this sector. Digital Ecosystem Manager Luca Cavalli at ABB, a leading technology company, says, “Eplan plays an important role in the growing network of electrical systems designers. A clear example is the seamless integration between ABB’s digital e-Configure platform and the Eplan Data Portal, which streamlines the design process for users. With the introduction of sustainable energy systems and smart industry upgrades, ABB is committed to supporting professionals managing these changes. The integration of engineering tools and configuration tools ensures both time savings and high-quality data.”

Other technology partners include Auvesy-MDT, Ehrt, Gossen Metrawatt, Jetter and Sigmatek. Internationally, Digiwin (China) and Trace Software (France) have also been integrated into the network, as have Omron, Wago and Weidmüller, which are all global players. Sandra Huang of Digiwin says, “The interface between Digiwin PLM and Eplan helps engineers to focus fully on their actual project planning. All relevant information, including bills of materials, parts data and project data, is automatically synchronised between the Eplan Platform and Digiwin PLM. Users benefit from consistent and up-to-date data throughout the entire project life cycle.”

On the solutions partners side, there are a slew of well-known automation companies including Alexander Bürkle (electronics wholesaler/technology services provider), CADTalk (CAD/PDM-ERP integrations), Cideon (systems integrator), D&TS; GMBH (master data management), Elmo Solutions (CAD/PDM/PLM-ERP integrations), Grollmus (PLC programming), PLM CAD Utilities (CAD/PDM/PLM-ERP integrations), Secude International (Microsoft and SAP Partners), Semodia (MTP export), Solidline (PLM systems vendor), Wus-Tec (wire fabrication), and Zahnen Technik (water/wastewater technology). This demonstrates the wide range of solutions that are utilised and integrated into the Eplan environment. CTO Benedikt Ney at Zahnen Technik says, “We want to provide everyone with access to clean water. Thanks to our amazing partnership with Eplan, we are getting closer to this vision every day.”

In the field of research partnerships, a cooperation with TH Lübeck University was recently signed, expanding the circle of existing research partners, the European 4.0 Transformation Centre (E4TC), and the Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units (ISW) of the University of Stuttgart.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Unlocking mining efficiency with advanced processing control
IT in Manufacturing
ABB’s Advanced Process Control system, powered by its Expert Optimizer platform, is emerging as a key enabler of smarter, more efficient mining operations.

Read more...
PC-based control regulates innovative dehumidifiers
Beckhoff Automation IT in Manufacturing
The Swedish company Airwatergreen AB is breaking new ground in the dehumidification of air in industrial buildings and warehouses. PC-based control from Beckhoff regulates the innovative process.

Read more...
Harnessing AI and satellite imagery to estimate water levels in dams
IT in Manufacturing
Farmers and water managers often struggle to accurately estimate and monitor the available water in dams. To address the challenge, International Water Management Institute researchers have worked with Digital Earth Africa to create an innovation that uses satellite images and AI to get timely and accurate dam volume measurements.

Read more...
Why industry should enter the world of operator training simulators
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
System-agnostic operator training simulator (OTS) software is a somewhat unsung hero of industry that trains plant operators in a virtual world that mirrors real-world operations. The benefits are multiple.

Read more...
Track busway for scalable data centre power delivery
IT in Manufacturing
The latest generation Legrand Data Centre Track Busway technology addresses the operational pressures facing today’s high-density, AI-intensive computing environments and is being well received by data centre facilities around the world.

Read more...
Poor heat management in data centre design
IT in Manufacturing
Designing a world-class data centre goes beyond simply keeping servers on during load shedding; it is about ensuring they run efficiently, reliably, and within the precise environmental conditions they were built and designed for.

Read more...
It’s time to fight AI with AI in the battle for cyber resilience
IT in Manufacturing
Cybercrime is evolving rapidly, and the nature of cyber threats has shifted dramatically. Attacks are now increasingly powered by AI, accelerating their speed, scale and sophistication. Cybersecurity needs to become part of business-critical strategy, powered by AI to match attackers’ speed with smarter, faster and more adaptive defences.

Read more...
Why AI sustainability must be a boardroom priority
IT in Manufacturing
As South African companies race to harness artificial intelligence for innovation and growth, few are asking the most critical question - the environmental cost.

Read more...
RS South Africa shines spotlight on MRO procurement
RS South Africa IT in Manufacturing
RS South Africa has highlighted the growing pressures faced by procurement professionals responsible for maintenance, repair and operations supplies across the country’s vital economic sectors.

Read more...
Sustainable energy management
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Utilising its innovative ONE approach technology, Siemens provides complete transparency on resource consumption and offers data-driven optimisation recommendations for sustainable energy management.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved