Newly developed Eplan SAP interface Perfect integration: Eplan and SAP
Synchronising data via interfaces is the core of process organisation. Eplan has expanded its mechatronic expertise: In close collaboration with Cideon Software GmbH, an affiliated company in the Friedhelm Loh Group, fully automatic data synchro-nisation between Eplan Platform and SAP PLM and SAP ERP has now been realised. The integrated workflow between these leading systems supports controlled throughput from the initial design to production and through to delivery and maintenance.
Cideon Software GmbH, the newest member of the Friedhelm Loh Group, is a longstanding partner of SAP; it thus made sense to merge their interface expertise. The new direct EplanSAP integration enables the secure storage of projects in the SAP system, down to the exchange of parts lists and bills of materials.
Additional advantages for companies include project data availabil-ity across departments, access controls through the SAP authorisation system, backup of older versions of projects, status and approval management, and accessi-bility of PDFs and other neutral formats for all SAP users. And all of this is made possible without the integration of an additional PDM system. For designers, template management through SAP and integrated comprehen-sive search tools – that also find further projects – are a reliable and fast pathway to required data. For each individual, this alsomeans more innovative work prac-tices.
EplanSAP integration allows parts lists to be transferred.
Deep SAP integration
The Eplan SAP integration will use the SAP-defined communication mechanisms. But things get really interesting when you look beyond the document man-agement and examine the deep integration into the entire SAP PLM. The interface makes it possible to link to customer orders and SAP project structures in maintenance and other SAP objects simply via drag and drop. This integrates Eplan projects with subsequent SAP processes, but more importantly, it makes it easier for designers to find the SAP objects relevant to them via the pertinent Eplan project. Integration into the SAP update service offers additional opportunities to manage historic statuses according to date or effective serial number in the Eplan Platform environment.
Data continuity and access authorisation are likewise con-trolled via SAP mechanisms; SAP workflow sustains the controlled flow of Eplan Platform data throughout the entire company. At the same time, access control management determines group and project access authorisations in order to protect project data. As part of the ordering process, the Eplan SAP integration also supplies functions for transferring bills of materials. This holds true not only for the end of a project, but can also be accomplished for partial bills of materials that are automatically created in advance in SAP. Triggered by a mouse click, they are saved in the background requiring no action by users.
For more information
Eplan Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG
Web: www.eplan.de
