IT in Manufacturing


Eplan takes Store Share View to the cloud

August 2018 IT in Manufacturing

These days, bringing data to the cloud and using it to enable collaboration is more compulsory than voluntary. But many companies are asking questions about the correct path to take and the right ‘dosage’. Eplan now offers support and has developed Store Share View, an in-house solution based on Microsoft Azure that brings Eplan projects to the cloud. At the same time it is also the foundation for future cloud-to-cloud connections. At Hannover Messe, Eplan presented the part of Store Share View with which projects can be viewed, reviewed and commented upon via redlining workflow. From this point forward, the solution provider plans to accompany its customers step by step on the pathway to the cloud. Users benefit from a central data source that makes Eplan data available to everyone involved in a project (including for downstream processes). Access to the data is universal: from every end device, from every location, and independent of an Eplan installation.

The name Store Share View reveals what awaits customers on their journey to the cloud: Eplan projects can be saved in the cloud (store) and are available for all project participants (share) to see (view) at any time. It does not require any installation, not even the traditional viewer installation required previously. Log in, view the project, make comments using the redlining function, and mark the work progress – it is this easy for users to take their first steps in the cloud project environment. The system is designed so that all the necessary project information is available in the cloud as a central information source. The engineering knowledge remains protected from unauthorised access by managing the access options. Rights assignment itself resides with the customer’s respective department.

This is just the first step that Eplan users take to the cloud, but it is a very important one.

In the past, when providing schematic information to downstream departments (such as control cabinet engineering or commissioning) many pages of documentation had to be printed on paper. A paperless workflow is more cost-effective. Another decisive aspect is the possibility for collaboration. With Store Share View, external participants may also access the data if they are assigned access rights. The infrastructure for collaboration is available through the cloud and a department need no longer go through an elaborate project handover process. Suppliers can simply use a web browser to read the current project status. Another practical benefit: only current data is available and changes are documented by way of a managed redlining workflow, meaning that sources of errors are eliminated once and for all. Collaboration with suppliers therefore becomes easier, also optimising workflows.

Connections to PDM/PLM remain

If a company wants to get new software, there is one question that usually pops up first. What happens to my current connections to IT infrastructures? Examples of this include the interfaces to PDM or PLM systems that generally must be updated or adapted. Eplan also considered this and existing connections to the Eplan platform remain unchanged. No conversion of existing integrations is required since the Eplan projects created in engineering are the source for Store Share View, making any changes to the data storage for the source project unnecessary.

Innovative operating concept

Aside from being functional, software should also be easy to use and support all of a user’s requirements. Eplan has also taken this into account: whether using a touchpad, a mouse or an active pen, all technologies can be utilised from PCs to touchscreens through to mobile devices. This ensures flexibility as engineering becomes increasingly globalised. Due to the 24-hour availability of cloud services, every project participant can access the data anytime and from anywhere in the world.

For more information contact Eplan, +27 11 609 8294, [email protected], www.eplan.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Fortifying the state in a time of cyber siege
IT in Manufacturing
In an era where borders are no longer physical, South Africa is being drawn into a new kind of conflict, one fought not with tanks and missiles, but with lines of code and silent intrusions. The digital battlefield is here, and cyber space has become the next frontier of conflict.

Read more...
Levelling up workplace safety - how gamification is changing the rules of training
IT in Manufacturing
Despite the best intentions, traditional safety training often falls short, with curricula either being too generic, too passive, or ultimately unmemorable. Enter gamification, a shift in training that is redefining how businesses train for safety and live by those principles.

Read more...
Reinventing data centre design: critical changes to meet surging
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
AI technologies are pushing the boundaries of what is possible which, in turn, is presenting data centres with a whole new set of challenges. Fortunately, several options are emerging which include optimising design and infrastructure for efficiency, cooling and management systems

Read more...
Watts next - can IT save the planet
IT in Manufacturing
The digital age’s insatiable demand for computing power has collided with an urgent and pressing need for sustainability. As data centres and AI workloads consume unprecedented energy, IT providers are pivotal in redefining how technology intersects with environmental stewardship.

Read more...
South Africa’s digital revolution:
IT in Manufacturing
South Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its technological evolution, poised to redefine itself as Africa’s leading digital powerhouse. Over the past two years, political leaders and media narratives have painted a picture of rapid digital transformation, underscoring the government’s ambition to position South Africa at the forefront of innovation.

Read more...
Smart manufacturing, APC and the SA marketplace
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Manufacturers are prioritising the integration of smart technologies into their daily operations to stay one step ahead of the competition. In South Africa, some experts believe the country has the potential to leapfrog its global peers through the creation of smart factories.

Read more...
Schneider Electric’s Five-Pillar Strategy takes the guesswork out of equip
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric’s Field Service Cycle, otherwise known as the Five-Pillar Strategy, is a structured approach to managing the lifecycle of equipment to prolong asset lifespan while reducing the total cost of ownership for customers.

Read more...
Enhancing operational safety and efficiency through advanced risk-based modelling
IT in Manufacturing
Now, more than ever, capital and operational cost can be reduced while enhancing operational safety and increasing production uptime by applying transformative methods such as Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling.

Read more...
Laying the groundwork in IT/OT
IT in Manufacturing
In the realm of manufacturing, the core mandate is to deliver value to stakeholders. For many in the industry, this is best achieved through a risk-averse approach. Only upon establishing a robust foundation should a business consider venturing into advanced optimisation or cutting-edge technological innovations such as industrial AI.

Read more...
Looking into the future of machine vision
Omron Electronics IT in Manufacturing
Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a significant transformation in all areas of industrial automation, and machine vision is no exception. Omron’s AI-powered machine vision systems seamlessly integrate state-of-the-art algorithms, enabling machines to analyse and interpret visual data meticulously.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved