Since 2006, around 1,000 international users have been planning pluggable electrical installations of Wieland products with the predecessor gesis® PLAN, which was also realized with Perspectix. Around 20,000 components from the product range are configured as 3D objects on the basis of CAD plans and visualizations, parts lists, electrical calculations and price quotations are generated. The internationally oriented family business has thus enabled its own sales department, its subsidiaries in Canada, the USA, the UK, Belgium, China, Denmark, Sweden, France, Spain, Italy, Singapore and Poland as well as representatives in over 70 other countries and its customers to use intelligent 3D planning.

BIM as a strategic goal

"Wieland Electric is pioneering the BIM method," says Thomas Nieborg, Product Information Manager at Wieland Electric. "We have also identified a sales focus in modular, industrial prefabricated construction for residential purposes. The BIM method is already almost universally used there - other areas of the construction industry will be ready within the next five years." For a BIM-compliant application, the planning software must place 3D objects in the 3D BIM model and carry numerous product metadata such as rated voltage or copper weight in order to enable calculations, such as the total cable length or necessary cross-sections, in the further planning process. Finally, the data is transferred from buildingSMART to a BIM coordinator in a specialist model in accordance with the IFC standard. "We had to take a lot of big steps to make our solution fully BIM-compatible," explains Thomas Nieborg. "Perspectix provided us with excellent support and not only created all the necessary functions, but also kept to the two-year schedule and budget." The software was successfully demonstrated at the Light and Building trade fair at the beginning of March. The beta version will now be released in May in order to use the experience gained to optimize the user interface. In June, the first system partners and customers will receive the free Building Solutions Designer. "We are happy to continue the excellent cooperation with Perspectix in development, service and maintenance, which has lasted for over 20 years," says Thomas Nieborg.

About Wieland

Wieland Electric, founded in Bamberg in 1910, is the inventor of safe electrical connection technology. Today, the family-owned company is one of the leading suppliers of safety and automation technology and has been the global market leader in the field of pluggable electrical installations for building technology for over 30 years.

Wieland Electric supports customers worldwide as a competent service partner and solution provider. This is possible with around 1,600 employees and subsidiaries as well as sales organizations in over 70 countries. In addition to Wieland Electric GmbH, STOCKO Contact GmbH & Co. KG has been part of the Wieland holding company since 1998.

The company's core industries include mechanical engineering, wind power, intralogistics and HVAC as well as building and lighting technology. The broad portfolio includes components, products and solutions for electrical installation, connection technology, power distribution, safety technology and control cabinets. In addition, Wieland Electric offers a comprehensive service and training program. With cross-industry experience, a wide range of products and numerous service offerings, the company has consistently developed from a component supplier to a solution provider in recent years. Further information can be found at www.wieland-electric.com