Mr. Seitz, digital transformation is actually on every automation specialist's to-do list. How do you want to tackle this topic with your customers?

Sebastian Seitz: For me personally, the term digital transformation doesn't go far enough. That's why we're taking a broader view: in our opinion, digitalization, standardization and automation form an overall package that needs to be tackled; digitalization alone is not enough! And very importantly, we must succeed in sensitizing and winning over our customers' management to this topic. We have therefore set up a Future Lab at our trade fair stand to discuss trends in digitalization, data and cloud technology at management level.

... the topics of standardization and automation will also be transparent here?

Sebastian Seitz: Only partially, I agree. We will be exploring these topics in greater depth at our stand, where our customers can compare their individual engineering processes with experts. Together with our sister company Rittal, we will also be demonstrating the synergies of an integrated value chain: The entire process from procurement to production, operations and engineering in switchgear construction is digitized and automated to a high degree.

Is the cloud a must for users on the path to digital transformation?

Sebastian Seitz: We cannot and do not want to force our customers into a cloud landscape; the potential added value should be convincing! The possibilities of the cloud expand our existing portfolio within the Eplan platform. They complement our on-premise products, for example in the area of maintenance. Our approach here is to gradually introduce our customers to the added value of cloud technology.

As part of your ePulse cloud system, you will be presenting Eplan eBuild at SPS. What is behind it?

Sebastian Seitz: Eplan eBuild is a new cloud software for the semi-automated generation of circuit diagrams or fluid plans. Users who work with the Eplan platform can look forward to an easy introduction that requires no training or extensive familiarization. Simply register in Eplan ePulse, then open the project, select the task and the software configures circuit diagrams based on Eplan Electric P8 or fluid plans based on Eplan Fluid at the touch of a button.

Part of your cloud is also the Eplan Data Portal, in which you combine device and component data from different manufacturers. Can we expect anything new at the trade fair?

Sebastian Seitz : The data mentioned is the foundation of an efficient process from engineering to production. With our new, optimized data standard based on eCl@ss Advanced, we are now taking the quality of digital article and device data in the Eplan Data Portal to a new level. The work processes in engineering, material procurement and production of control and switchgear systems are accelerated with this standardized data. Manufacturers also get more support: they receive a new import tool based on eCl@ss Advanced, which significantly simplifies data provision. Rittal has already stored the first data in the new standard for the PLC - other well-known manufacturers such as ABB, IFM, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Wago and Weidmüller are already actively implementing the new standard.