The EPLAN licensing landscape: The “state of the union”
In 2026, EPLAN remains the global leader for electrical, automation, and mechatronic engineering. EPLAN utilizes the EPLAN License Manager (ELM), based on high-security Wibu-Systems CodeMeter technology, to manage its concurrent (floating) licensing model. Whether you are using a network-based CmDongle or an ActLicense, these high-value seats are often shared across global engineering teams and specialized departments.
The visibility gap
The EPLAN License Manager provides a functional view of current checkouts, but it lacks the granular historical analytics required for strategic fleet management. Administrators can see that an Electric P8 seat is “in use,” but they cannot easily determine if an engineer is actively designing a control cabinet or if the application is simply idling in the background while the user is focused on other tasks. This leads to “License Contention,” where critical automation projects are delayed because the license pool appears artificially full.
The “hidden cost” narrative
Budget leaks in EPLAN environments typically occur through “Module Over-Subscription.” Because EPLAN is highly modular, organizations often bundle expensive add-ons—such as PLC & Bus Extension, Pro Panel (3D), or Copper—into every user profile. Without OpenLM, you have no way to verify if these premium modules are actually being utilized, resulting in thousands of dollars in wasted annual maintenance and subscription fees for “shelfware” extensions.
Quick summary: OpenLM for EPLAN
OpenLM empowers you to optimize your EPLAN investments by transforming raw ELM data into actionable engineering strategy.
- Track EPLAN activity: Monitor real-time usage across Electric P8, Pro Panel, Fluid, and Preplanning.
- Identify idle design seats: Automatically flag users who have checked out an EPLAN license but are not actively interacting with the schematics or 3D layout.
- Eliminate “License Not Available” errors: Use peak-usage heatmaps to right-size your license pool, ensuring your automation engineers are never blocked.
- Optimize module allocation: Identify which high-cost modules are underutilized and reassign them to the teams that drive the most value.
- Manage “Borrowed” licenses: Gain visibility into licenses taken offline (roamed) to ensure they are utilized and returned to the pool on schedule.
Comprehensive solution framework
The visibility layer
Gain full transparency into your EPLAN environment. See exactly who is active and which specific versions—from legacy installations to the latest 2026 release—are being utilized. This applies whether your team is in a central engineering hub or working remotely via VPN.
The intelligence layer
Use EPLAN-specific usage analytics to determine your optimal seat count. By analyzing “True Usage” vs. “Reserved Usage,” you can measure the ROI of your EPLAN Subscription and determine if you should adjust your license counts before your next renewal.
The automation layer
Maximize the availability of your EPLAN License Manager pool. OpenLM can automatically detect idle sessions on workstations where the application is open but inactive. In high-pressure automation projects, this ensures that every available seat is supporting active design and documentation.
How OpenLM monitors EPLAN
OpenLM uses a secure, non-intrusive approach to capture and monitor the license activity from the EPLAN environment.
Seamless ELM integration
- Broker-level connectivity: The OpenLM Broker installed on the EPLAN license server interfaces with the CodeMeter and ELM services to fetch real-time checkout data.
- Module-level tracking: OpenLM identifies the specific “bundles” and “add-ons” in use, providing a granular view of your modular software spend.
- Zero performance impact: Monitoring occurs at the system level, ensuring that the processing of massive multi-page schematics remains fast and responsive.
Strategic reporting and analytics
- Active vs. Idle tracking: Distinguish between an engineer actively routing wires in 3D and an application that was left open overnight.
- Project-based chargebacks: Assign EPLAN license costs to specific automation projects or business units based on actual usage hours.
Strategic ROI and business value
Organizations using OpenLM for EPLAN license optimization often see significant reductions in their annual software spend.
- Procurement support: Use “actual activity” data to negotiate your next EPLAN subscription agreement instead of relying on headcount estimates.
- Reduced downtime: Reclaim idle seats from the office to ensure field engineers and shop-floor technicians always have access to the latest schematics.
- Improved software utilization: Identify if high-cost modules like EPLAN Pro Panel are actually being used by your team or if further training is required.
