How Gila Electric transformed panel manufacturing with SEE Electrical for smarter, reliable designs

• Find a cost-effective solution that will scale efficiently
• Optimize the design to manufacturing workflow while also ensuring compatibility with existing systems and processes
• Consider ease of use and automation features to potentially reduce the likelihood of human errors
• Ensure that the solution will meet not only current demands but also future needs
• Implement the new software for a smooth transition in day-to-day operations
• Assess the outcome of the digital transformation

The case study required careful evaluation of all options to find a software solution that would strike the right balance for quality expectations, time savings, and the cost. Gila Electric recognized that implementing a digital transformation to streamline their electrical engineering processes would be a complex project. They wanted to ensure minimal disruption on current projects.

To ensure a successful transition, they knew that an effective change management strategy was crucial. The study identified key considerations for the transformation process, including thorough training programs, active stakeholder engagement, and a phased implementation approach. Their implementation journey included overcoming early resistance to fostering a culture of continuous development. Timely course correction was one of the key takeaways in this study to ensure that the desired outcome was achieved. The study also recognized the value of collaboration with ETAP during this phase, and how specific features within SEE Electrical helped to accelerate adoption and contribute to rapid improvements to design accuracy and production efficiency.

• SEE Electrical intuitive software and extensive manufacturer content for the 2D design and optimization of electrical schematics for switchboards and electrical cabinets, including single-line and multi-line diagrams, real-time lists for components, terminals, cables, wires and more, and automatic reporting for bill of materials, label printing, and other outputs.
• SEE 3D Panel software for digital twin integration with SEE Electrical to prepare electrical cabinets in a 3D environment such as collision checking, and features that support the various stages in panel manufacturing, including device picking, labeling, mechanical processing, pre-assembly of terminal strips, wire prefabrication, panel mounting, and wiring.

• Fully centralized technical engineering platform that ensures that real-time design information is available upstream at order management (tendering) and downstream to panel manufacturing 
• Flexible and scalable solution that adapts to variations in engineered-to-order (ETO) projects for accurate assembly documentation
• Estimation of a project's working hours for assembly using SEE Electrical's reporting integrated with the client's extensive database of products (over 16,000)
• Integration with the client's in-house software to use SEE Electrical's automatic generation of circuit diagrams from spreadsheet data
• Technical guidance by SEE Electrical specialists at ETAP during the digital transformation to support their objectives for continuous improvement

This collaborative approach ensured that we constantly explored new features, proactively addressed challenges, and extracted maximum value from our investment in SEE Electrical.

Seif Tawakol, Executive Board Member, Gila Electric

Streamlined processes to keep up with rapidly evolving market demands

• Up to 25% time savings to produce an electrical panel
• Compatibility with existing systems and processes reduced disruptions and costs
• Ability to adapt and grow the business prepares for new market demands
• Process optimization eliminates redundancy from order and design and into manufacturing
• Improved accuracy through automated documentation outputs, such as wire numbering, customized bill of materials, and assembly production files
• Increased productivity through integrated workflows supporting customization and flexibility across projects
• Accelerated stakeholder engagement and adoption as a result of proactive change management and the rapid benefits evidenced with the digital transformation