--- title: What is Eplan and is it worth the investment? description: EPLAN provides software and service solutions in the fields of electrical, automation and mechatronic engineering. image: https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/EPLAN%20FI/Downloads/csm_plant-operator-journey-3200x1880_2294e088e4.jpg --- [![Logo](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3337099/blog/images/Logo/Eplan.svg)](https://blog.eplan.co.uk?language=all) [![](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/blog/images/Category/Trends-eplan-2021-black.svg) trends](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/trends?language=all) [![](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/blog/images/Category/Projects-eplan-2021-black.svg) projects](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/projects?language=all) [![](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/blog/images/Category/Software-eplan-2021-black.svg) software](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/software?language=all) ![What is Eplan](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hubfs/EPLAN%20FI/Downloads/csm_plant-operator-journey-3200x1880_2294e088e4.jpg) [Home](https://blog.eplan.co.uk) [Software](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/software) What is Eplan and is it worth the investment? ## Author ![Ken Christie](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Ken%20Christie%20Headshot%20-%2004.jpg?length=68&upsize=true&upscale=true&name=Ken%20Christie%20Headshot%20-%2004.jpg) Ken Christie Ken Christie is the Country Director at EPLAN UK. He has been working at EPLAN for 9 years with his expertise in the electrical design industry. [mailto:](mailto:) [Ken Christie auf LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmchristie/) 17/09/24 # What is Eplan and is it worth the investment? Author: Ken Christie Time to read: minute minutes **Eplan provides software and service solutions in the fields of electrical, automation and mechatronic engineering. We develop one of the world’s leading design software solutions for machine, plant and panel builders.** "Efficient engineering" is our focus: Eplan is a world-leading electrical computer-aided design (ECAD) software solution for machine and panel builders, system integrators and plant operators. Our powerful and advanced electrical design software packages assist you with simplifying challenging engineering processes, saving you time, reducing errors and providing detailed documentation. Electrical Engineers use Eplan to plan and design schematics, manage projects, create 3D layouts and panel designs, and work collaboratively.  Manual, repetitive tasks like wire numbering, producing terminal schedules and repeatedly redesigning common circuit blocks can all be reduced using Eplan. Many of these tasks can be automated, saving money and freeing up time for engineers to concentrate on more creative work. Skip straight to: [What is The Eplan Platform? ](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/what-is-eplan-investment#eplan-platform) [CAD vs ECAD - Eplan helps companies to reach the next level](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/what-is-eplan-investment#cadvsecad) [Comprehensive Product Database](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/what-is-eplan-investment#product-database) [Is Eplan worth the investment? Using a real-world example](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/what-is-eplan-investment#investment) [3D Design Benefits](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/what-is-eplan-investment#benefits) ## What is The Eplan Platform?  Keeping digital data up-to-date is key for efficient engineering. The Eplan Platform connects all Eplan software tools, creating a solid foundation for your projects and ensuring clear, transparent processes. This connectivity allows you to work across different engineering disciplines and find the best solutions for any application. The Eplan Platform helps optimise your engineering by enabling collaborative work and providing real-time information at every project stage. Additionally, the Eplan Platform interfaces with ERP and PDM systems for seamless, bi-directional data exchange. This means you can transfer project data to mechatronic solutions and other software environments smoothly. By using Eplan's electrical design software, you can transform your design process through seamless data integration, saving time, ensuring accuracy, and enhancing your credibility. [![EPLAN Platform Graphic](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/EPL_9612_SolutionGrafik_rgb_72dpi_BG_transparent_20190417.png?width=780&height=425&name=EPL_9612_SolutionGrafik_rgb_72dpi_BG_transparent_20190417.png)](https://www.eplan.co.uk/uk/solutions/product-overview/eplan-platform/)*The Eplan Platform Overview*   ## CAD vs ECAD - Eplan helps companies to reach the next level CAD is an individual software package that offers an electronic version of a drawing desk. It usually offers no more than visual information to the following team in the process, which creates data breaks in a company’s processes. Information is copied manually from one team to another, which can result in errors. In other words, it's not the ideal tool for modern electrical design. On the other hand, ECAD systems are individual software packages that combine, edit and insert data onto a common platform. Each change made is instantly updated in the other software packages, meaning real time changes and true multi-user interaction is achieved. Information is exported into a multitude of formats to allow clarity of meaning throughout the process and giving everyone involved in their process their own view that is correct and error-free.  [![Drawing board](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Drawing%20board.jpg?width=600&name=Drawing%20board.jpg)](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/cae-the-top-ten-faqs) *Technology has moved on from drawing boards.  * * ©Inked pixel* Electrical design software, such as Eplan, helps error reduction by providing visual representations of designs, which allows engineers to spot mistakes and make corrections at an earlier stage – reducing costs and downtime. With intelligent design automation, engineers can rely on built-in design rules and templates specific to industry standards, ensuring compliance and reducing the risk of errors. Eplan software also provides extensive libraries of standardised electrical symbols, promoting consistency and eliminating errors caused by incorrect or non-standard symbol usage.  ## Comprehensive Product Database Data is the backbone of efficient design and any ECAD system, but creating data can be laborious. Did you know that manufacturer-approved data is readily available in multiple platform formats? The Eplan Data Portal hosts component data from well-known manufacturers around the world. You can simply download the data straight into your project and use it immediately. Simple transfer of the components’ data in the project reduces the engineering effort and increases the quality of the machine and plant documentation – a win-win situation! *Eplan Data Portal component manufacturers. *   ## Is Eplan worth the investment? Using a real-world example  **A business we recently started working with told us:** “2 days per project is spent updating the schematics because of missing data. I manage 36 projects per year and there are 4 engineers in the team responsible for updating the project.” Engineers day rate = £200 x2 days x36 projects £14,400 £14,400 x 4 engineers = £57,600 **They also told us that they “can easily spend 2-3 days at the end of every project making changes” due to errors.** Manual workflows introduce mistakes that are often found in production. With EPLAN’s automated processes these mistakes can be minimised. The use of macros and the ability to reuse circuits that have already been checked and approved speeds up the design process and eliminates design errors. Automated features such as device and wire numbering remove mistakes caused during manual workflows. Not forgetting the auto-generation of reports such as BOMs, connection lists and wire markers ensuring that the data passed to production is accurate and reliable. These automated workflows promote faster engineering processes with data you can trust. Considering the above example has **saved £57,600**, it’s easy to see that when you compare the cost of purchasing EPLAN to this saving alone, the benefits gained using EPLAN far outweigh the investment made. ## 3D Design Benefits  Within the Eplan Platform, digital device data includes 3D models for placement in panel design. That sounds nice, but what are the benefits to designing in 3D, and the benefits to using Eplan? - Easily see if everything fits in the panel – avoid errors in the manufacturing phase and increase accuracy - See where potential collisions may happen and avoid them - Save space and purchase a smaller panel if you have lots of free space – saving costs! - Generate wiring lists and data to ensure efficient wiring – Take a look at Eplan Smart Wiring - Generate drilling patterns for automated machining – increases safety, productivity and efficiency - Create a digital twin – easier to work with, gives you a digital replica - Quicker service and maintenance because everything is clearer in the design - Accurate BOM and cable lengths – reduces scrap - See where cooling is required in the cabinet because of hot components ![EPLAN Pro Panel - 3D design image ](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/EPLAN%20UK/Visuals/EPL_UK_EN_Panel%20Building%20For%20the%20Future.jpg?width=600&name=EPL_UK_EN_Panel%20Building%20For%20the%20Future.jpg)*Eplan Pro Panel allows quick and easy design in 3D. *   By embracing EPLAN, you‘re embarking on a path towards streamlined efficiency, precision, and innovation. Our comprehensive suite of tools is designed to empower you, providing intuitive solutions to your most intricate design challenges. **Your journey to intelligent, smart designs begins here with EPLAN.** Related tags: - [3D Electrical Design](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/3d-electrical-design?language=all) - [EPLAN](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/eplan?language=all) - [Panel Building](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/panel-building?language=all) - [SOFTWARE](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/software?language=all) - [Value Chain](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/value-chain?language=all) - [Control Panel Design](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/tag/control-panel-design?language=all) Share this article ... ## Comments ## Author ![Ken Christie](https://blog.eplan.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Ken%20Christie%20Headshot%20-%2004.jpg?length=68&upsize=true&upscale=true&name=Ken%20Christie%20Headshot%20-%2004.jpg) Ken Christie Ken Christie is the Country Director at EPLAN UK. He has been working at EPLAN for 9 years with his expertise in the electrical design industry. 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