How Eplan Empowers Plant Operators with Digital Maintenance

Let’s set the scene: production runs smoothly as long as the plant systems are functioning properly. However, when a malfunction arises, chaos ensues…

What is the exact cause? How can our technician locate the specific components that need replacement among hundreds, or even thousands, of schematic pages, especially if the documentation is not up to date?

PDF documents can be just as confusing as folders filled with printed schematics covered in sticky notes. Consequently, production comes to a costly halt!

We can break down the ways Eplan assists plant operators into three main sections: ECAD documentation, supplier guidelines, and digital maintenance. 

How Eplan Can Help Reduce Downtime

High-quality documentation of automation systems is crucial for seamless operations in industrial plants. However, relying solely on PDFs for technical documentation often lacks detailed information behind the schematic graphics. To address this, ECAD software proves to be a more suitable option, especially for electrotechnical documentation.

However, Eplan takes it a step further by enabling machine suppliers to store comprehensive digital data within their schematics, including associated documentation. This creates a complete digital description of the automation systems, making it easier to commission new equipment and accept new plant systems. Furthermore, it simplifies troubleshooting during operations and facilitates future expansions.

Using Eplan eView, your technicians can select the right schematics with just a click. And eView further offers a variety of entry points. For one, your technicians can click on the correct schematics directly from the control system, for instance when they call up the graphic representation of the stopped assembly line on the monitor, where a direct link to it is stored. For another, they can use a QR code found in the control cabinet. The schematics are also linked to the P&I diagrams and the pneumatic diagrams. This saves time and your technicians always have up-to-date documentation at hand.

There is only a single source of truth in the paperless world, and it is located in the Eplan Cloud. Digital redlining replaces manual documentation with a red pen. Using a tablet or other computer, your technicians can call up the appropriate schematics in eView and note their changes and make comments. This information is digitally sent to the electrical design engineers, who incorporate the technicians’ changes into Eplan and ensure that the changes are made in all the affected disciplines. They then make the updated data available to everyone using Eplan eManage. Until this is done, everyone can see the redlining entries.

Advantages of Using Electrical Documentation with Eplan

• At any moment, users have the ability to access all electrical information related to their project.
• The integrated device includes data from hundreds of manufacturers, providing users with a comprehensive and diverse range of information.
• Documentation such as bills of materials, terminal diagrams, etc. can be easily generated from the schematics.
• Changes need to be made only once and will be automatically applied to the entire project.
• Smooth commissioning and expansion of plant systems
• Fast response times in event of malfunctions

Supplier Guidelines

Production lines rely on the expertise of multiple suppliers who handle the design, delivery, and commissioning of machines and systems. And, while we are generally satisfied with this set up, it would be better if design approvals weren’t so chaotic.

Each supplier provides their documentation in a unique data format, and some even rely solely on printed materials. With an overwhelming amount of schematics spanning thousands of pages, it becomes nearly impossible for us to keep track of whether the information is complete and free of errors. It’s only when something isn’t working properly that these shortcomings become apparent and at that point we cannot identify the cause. 

Guidelines for Suppliers 

Eplan helps you to create clear guidelines for suppliers to ensure that you have access to standardised plant system documentation at all times. Regardless of the number of service providers you collaborate with, rest assured that acceptance procedures will run smoothly and that crucial information will be accessible in standardised data formats.

Recommended Specifications for Project Documentation

1. Define the version of Eplan
2. Define the norms and standards
3. Define the functional representation for the schematics
4. Provide template projects as examples
5. Define structuring systems and terminology
6. Provide an approval lists for materials

Advantages of Standardised Supplier Guidelines

• Standardised data for describing and documenting your automation systems
• Simple verification and quality assurance for the documentation
• Fast procurement of spare parts thanks to clear material guidelines
• Standardised working foundation for your service technicians
• Clear communication and optimal collaboration with suppliers

Digital Maintenance

As a plant operator, are you aware of the specific information your service technicians require? This knowledge is essential for them to troubleshoot efficiently and carry out maintenance tasks swiftly.

The value of highly detailed plant system documentation becomes apparent only when your technicians have easy access to it during operations. If your technicians are forced to spend valuable time searching for the up-to-date documents, and are only able to locate them after multiple phone calls, even minor tasks can result in frustrating and prolonged downtimes. Every second is crucial, as every moment of downtime can cost significant money!

Make Schematics Available Anytime, Anywhere 

Your complete electrotechnical documentation can be made available to your service technicians regardless of location, without the need for their own Eplan software licences. All that is required is a tablet or computer to view the part of the schematics relevant to the respective plant systems. Changes such as replacing a component can then be digitally noted directly in the schematics, seamlessly transferred to the electrical design team, and promptly reworked there.

Advantages of Digital Maintenance for Plant Operators

• Make up-to-date electrical documentation easily available 
• Seamless documentation and communication of changes 
• Establish a traceable change processes 
• Comprehensive support for servicing and maintenance
• Simple commissioning and efficient maintenance 

Final Thoughts

Don’t let outdated documentation be the reason your operations grind to a halt. With Eplan’s integrated digital ecosystem, you can finally say goodbye to paper chaos, fragmented supplier handovers, and guesswork during malfunctions.

Whether it’s commissioning a new plant or responding to an emergency breakdown, Eplan ensures your technicians, engineers, and suppliers are always working from the same accurate, real-time source. It’s time to bring clarity, consistency, and control to your plant documentation, because uptime shouldn’t depend on digging through filing cabinets.