The new Eplan Platform 2023 is streamlining and accelerating project planning with new cloud-based device
management and multi-standard support for schematic macros. This means that users can get results more
quickly—especially when working on international projects—due to the simplified device data management
system while increasing overall project quality. The new 3D graphics core, an optimized cable editor and the
new Insert Center also bring more performance and transparency to engineering.
Monheim, Germany, 5 September 2022: The new Eplan Platform 2023 combines a number of new features
that make it easier to use and pay off in time savings and increased performance for users. Eplan Vice
President Software Portfolio Thomas Weichsel says, “Along with the many opportunities for collaboration in
engineering, the new multi-standard support for schematic macros really stands out. On the new Eplan
Platform 2023, it saves users from having to deal with device data management that used to be quite time consuming—especially on international projects.”
Standards compliant—devices with up to twenty schematic macros
Company-specific standards such as guidelines, different dimension specifications and varying standards on
the world market—for instance NFPA or IEC—require different ways of representing devices in the
schematics. Previously, just one macro could be saved per device. With the new device data management
system, now up to twenty different schematic macros can be assigned to each device. The advantage for
users is that the software now automatically assigns the correct macro after the relevant standard has been
selected, which can be easily transferred into the schematics via drag and drop. This simplifies how devices
are handled, provides a better project overview and reduces the administrative efforts required.
Component manufacturers that provide device data for the Eplan Data Portal, for instance according to the
Eplan Data Standard, also benefit, as Weichsel explains: “In the future, a driver—for instance—can be
stored and maintained as one data set with different schematic macros on the Eplan Data Portal—considerably reducing the amount of effort required of manufacturers for providing and maintaining their
data.”
Eplan eStock: cloud-based device management
Using Eplan eStock, the new device data management in the Eplan Platform 2023, means that device data
can be maintained in the Eplan cloud. This makes collaboration even easier and reduces coordination times
and media disruptions. Accessing Eplan eStock works independent of company location; project participants
can easily and securely access the device data in the cloud whether they’re working from home, are at
another company location around the globe, or are data sharing with business partners. Companies hereby
save time, not to mention the costs of setting up and maintaining their own extra IT infrastructure.
3D graphics engine for better performance
Machines and plant systems are becoming increasingly automated and the digital twin is becoming an
integral part of control cabinet and switchgear engineering processes. This is accompanied by increasing
complexity and higher demands for the 3D structuring of control cabinet layouts. The amounts of data and
information that must be managed are increasing exponentially. Users previously needed a lot of patience,
especially for renderings of large 3D models. With the new Engine Direct3D graphics core, Eplan has
considerably sped up project processes. The 3D rendering is now considerably faster, and actions such as
zooming or rotating are now much smoother and easier.
Cable editor for optimized cable management
The Eplan Platform 2023 also simplifies the field cabling of control cabinets that are distributed throughout a
plant system in a decentralized way. For instance, the new cable editor makes it easier to manage and
visualize a cable on the Eplan Platform—regardless of the number of wires. Device and type number, source
and destination, and the shielding and connection are graphically displayed in a single dialog box. The new
cable editor thereby also lays the foundations for virtual machine cabling and easy cable-length
determination in Eplan Harness proD. Cable information is now visible at a glance—from the source to the
destination.
Insert Center: greater project overview
Symbols, macros and devices can now all be displayed in a more focused manner as a table in a dialog box.
The expanded Insert Center in the Eplan Platform 2023 makes this possible, thereby providing a better
project overview. Users can also intuitively search for devices—even in external or linked documents. Which
components use which current strength? When clicking in the table, the logic information is made visible
directly. And the new tagging function also make navigation easier: logical selection paths and better project
structures accelerate both searching and project planning in general. The new interface to Microsoft Excel
simplifies work for users: they no longer need to install the software themselves to output data in that format,
making the outputting of lists and tables more efficient overall.
