While the term may seem new, the principles of the digital twin are already being applied in many industrial sectors.

For example, the manufacturing industry uses digital models to simulate scenarios before going into production. Energy companies rely on these technologies to monitor and optimize their facilities. In the construction sector, BIM methods make it possible to centralize information from various trades within a single digital model.

The benefits are numerous :

• reduced design errors;
• improved collaboration among teams;
• optimized maintenance operations;
• lower operating costs;
• improved traceability of technical data.

The real challenge, therefore, is no longer whether the industrial digital twin is a reality, but rather having the data necessary to use it effectively.

Preparing for the future starts with choosing the tools you use every day. Software must not only meet a project’s current needs; it must also be capable of adapting to future changes in the industry.

Whether it involves electrical design in the building or industrial sectors, engineering firms need solutions that adapt to new design methods, client requirements, and new data exchange formats.

It is with this approach in mind that FTZ has been developing its software for over 40 years. Solutions such as SchemELECT, SchemBAT, SchemPID, FTZ-BIM, and FTZ-Panel 3D are constantly evolving to meet user expectations and keep pace with industry changes. This close connection to the field enables engineering firms to use tools designed to support their business over the long term.

Editing a technical file is usually straightforward.

The real challenge lies in ensuring that all those involved are working on the correct version of the documents:

design office;
cabling workshop;
subcontractors;
maintenance managers;
end customer.

How often does an error stem from an out-of-date document that is still present in a shared folder or was sent by email several weeks ago?

A single incorrect version can lead to a host of problems:

hours of rework in the workshop;
unnecessary purchases;
delays in commissioning;
difficulties during maintenance operations.

Revision management therefore becomes a key element of document control and the smooth running of projects.

Benoit C. explains that FTZ software is used primarily by two programs at the high school: the BTS FED Option C, which includes 30 students in full-time training and 15 apprentices, and the BAC PRO MELEC, which has 36 students in full-time training and 12 apprentices. In total, more than 90 students and apprentices are trained each year using FTZ solutions.

The two products are used differently depending on the program. BTS FED students work with SchemBAT and FTZ-BIM for the building services engineering component, as well as SchemELECT for designing electrical panels. As for the BAC PRO MELEC program, only SchemBAT is currently being used, as Benoit C. personally trained his fellow instructors on the tools before rolling them out to the students.

Before adopting SchemELECT, the AX Group engineering department was using a competing software program and spent a significant amount of time on manual tasks, particularly document generation. According to Jason D., this situation made it necessary to find a more efficient solution: “We were looking for a solution capable of automating our design work, ensuring the reliability of our data, and saving us time on repetitive tasks.”

HVAC projects are no longer limited to simple heating or cooling installations. Today, they incorporate a multitude of interconnected technical components: programmable logic controllers, advanced control systems, home automation solutions, monitoring interfaces, and centralised technical management (CTM) and building management system (BMS) platforms. Each project requires a combination of skills spanning electrical engineering, automation and HVAC engineering.

This increasing complexity is directly reflected in the design phases. Electrical diagrams must incorporate an ever-wider variety of equipment, control architectures that are sometimes highly sophisticated, and stricter requirements for document traceability. Design offices face tight deadlines, multi-stakeholder projects and ever-increasing client expectations. In this context, relying on high-performance CAD is no longer an option: it is an essential requirement for producing reliable, consistent designs that comply with current regulatory requirements.

The quality of deliverables produced during the design phase also has a direct impact on the shop floor. Incomplete or poorly structured diagrams lead to wiring errors, delays in commissioning and additional costs. The accuracy of the design tool therefore determines the success of the project right through to its handover.

The panel builder receives a photovoltaic design study containing sizing data: protection ratings, and DC and AC cable cross-sections. SchemELECT allows this data to be converted into single-line or multi-line diagrams that are directly usable for manufacturing, without the need to re-enter data from an external spreadsheet. FTZ-Panel 3D takes over for the physical design of the enclosure: component layout on DIN rails, terminal block positioning, cable tray routing, and internal organization of a shelter or photovoltaic low-voltage switchgear. The panel builder visualizes the equipment in three dimensions before starting the wiring in the workshop, which reduces adjustments and rework on the production line.