EPLAN Software and Service is opening a new regional sales office in Birmingham to complement the sales and support activities of its UK head office in Hellaby, South Yorkshire. At a time when many companies have put their expansion plans on hold, EPLAN claims that it has been embarking on a rapid period of growth as companies turn to EPLAN engineering software to automate their design activities. With over 60,000 users worldwide, EPLAN has seen an increase in demand for its software packages as it can reduce project drafting and documentation by between 50-80 per cent.
Currently most electrical design in the UK is performed using simple, two-dimensional CAD systems that produce flat, unintelligent drawings wherein all accompanying lists and documents have to be researched and assembled separately. EPLAN can perform these functions automatically and instantaneously, compiling schematics, lists and documents from data that only needs to be entered once. Using single data entry and EPLAN's capability to enforce design rules, the risk of errors - as well as the need to error-check entire projects - is largely eliminated.
EPLAN is said to differ from other electrical design packages as it is database-driven. Schematics are built up using intelligent symbols and component representations containing all relevant technical information. As a component is inserted into a schematic, all lists and documentation are updated and cross-linked. The EPLAN database contains components from the IEC symbol library, from a simple fuse to a PLC. Intelligent macros can be created that enable common subassemblies - such as motor drives - to be inserted into projects within seconds, generating all wire and terminal numbering and simplifying production of product variants.
Unlike legacy programs that function only as standalone products, EPLAN products can be integrated into a corporation's existing IT architecture. EPLAN also offers the ability to share data with other engineering disciplines, offering excellent efficiency and cost improvements through faster project turnaround times.
EPLAN Software & Services (Rittal Ltd)
Braithwell Way, Hellaby Industrial Estate
Hellaby
S66 8QY
UNITED KINGDOM
+44 (0)1709 704100