This is: Eplan Copilot

Eplan Copilot: engineering made easier and faster 

Eplan Copilot is designed to reduce the burden of repetitive tasks, meaning processes that are repeated and always follow the same sequence. The goal is to deliver real and lasting value while creating a solid foundation for future developments. To achieve this, Eplan carefully evaluated how artificial intelligence could be effectively used within its ecosystem.

“Instead of getting swept up in the hype, we took our time to create a strong foundation”, says Eplan CEO Sebastian Seitz, explaining the company’s approach. Hinting at the divergence between “simple” AI solutions and corresponding concepts in engineering: Artificial intelligence has by now firmly established itself in many areas of daily life; the “question-and-answer game” with Large Language Models like ChatGPT and others has long since become a habit. For engineering applications, Eplan deliberately avoided a trial-and-error approach. AI-generated results are inherently probabilistic, whereas engineering requires precision and consistently accurate outcomes.

Eplan took a comprehensive, carefully considered approach, guided by a vision to create a sustainable and secure AI solution based on a well-designed architecture. Factors such as cloud integration, knowledge management, desktop integration, and partner connectivity all influenced this architecture. From the very beginning, everything needed to be right.

Eplan Copilot: innovation with substance

This is what Eplan calls “innovation with substance”. It begins with a full understanding of the challenges electrical designers face. These include increasing complexity, expanding systems, greater connectivity, and a growing volume of information. The conclusion is clear. Relevant knowledge must be easily accessible at the right moment.

The Copilot of Eplan was designed with this in mind. It introduces a new way to interact with engineering software. Users can formulate tasks in natural language directly within the engineering environment. There is no need to navigate menu paths or remember function names.

The aim is to make complex tasks easier to manage, speed up projects, and improve quality at the same time by providing high-quality data more readily. This helps to shorten the “time-to-value”.
A key requirement is that all answers are correct. In other words, the AI must not “hallucinate.” The Eplan Copilot achieves this by relying exclusively on verified knowledge. The AI has been trained using relevant and validated information so that it can provide accurate answers. The architecture also allows customers to add their own knowledge or that of third parties.

To take on tasks effectively, the Copilot must develop what are known as skills. Eplan has already integrated a basic set of these capabilities.

Eplan Copilot: equipped with safety

Particular emphasis is placed on data security. In this regard, Copilot is consistent with other Eplan solutions. The data transmission path from the customer’s local environment to the AI is encrypted, and the cloud infrastructure meets the highest security standards. This is confirmed by certifications such as ISO 27001, TISAX, SOC 2, and MLPS 2.0.

Eplan addresses potential risks by relying on its proven and professionally managed infrastructure.

Eplan Copilot: a cloud-based solution

All of these elements come together in the Eplan AI. “The Eplan Copilot is our concept for using AI in an engineering solution,” Marcus Reitz explains. As Head of Technical Prototyping, he has been involved in development from the very beginning. “Eplan Copilot is designed specifically for the Eplan ecosystem”, explains Reitz. “For example, it can search through schematics, work with the Eplan Data Portal, and prepare support tickets”, he elaborates. “In doing so, the AI in Eplan Copilot decides whether information needs to be searched or functions need to be executed, or a combination of both.”

For Reitz, the key advantage of the assistant is the fact that it is available as a cloud service. “We opted for an integration that not only offers AI locally within the engineering tool but also makes it available centrally and globally. This allows us to roll out features faster without requiring new installations at the customer’s site. In addition, we have our own large service ecosystem: the Eplan Data Portal, ePocket, and other cloud services. The Copilot can gradually leverage all of it and will be visible everywhere in the Eplan ecosystem in the future.”

Eplan Copilot: ongoing development

“Eplan Copilot is less of a standalone product but more of a central component of our platform strategy, which will make Eplan more modern and complete,” says Sven Müller, Vice President of Infrastructure Solutions. His responsibilities include integration, ensuring technical quality, and overseeing the further development of artificial intelligence.

“I find the idea particularly exciting that the Copilot will be able to actively perform actions in Eplan Electric P8 in the future. In other words, not just providing knowledge, but taking over actual work steps and intelligently summarising results. Equally appealing is the component selection, for example for suitable Rittal cooling units, because this is where engineering logic and partner data converge”, Müller explains. “Both approaches demonstrate how the Copilot can become a true work assistant in the long term and already offers significant added value.”

Eplan Copilot: first step has been taken

For now, this vision is still developing. However, Eplan has taken the first steps toward integrating AI into engineering. Those involved are confident that development will now move forward quickly.
By continuously expanding its knowledge base and building new capabilities, the Eplan Copilot will provide increasing support. From copilot to pilot, from automated to autonomous engineering, this is the Eplan vision.

Would you like to learn more about Copilot and how to use AI in your engineering projects? Our “How-to Video” can help“: https://youtu.be/0q9KKJPgdg4

Always up-to-date

Since 2019, Eplan has been exploring machine learning, which forms the foundation of AI. With the emergence of the first Large Language Models in early 2023, the company began researching this topic in more depth. The Copilot concept was developed from 2024 onwards and validated with customers. Product development then began last year, and the first release is now available.

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