Device and method for planning a production unit

A device for planning a production unit with a production building and a manufacturing facility, wherein the manufacturing facility has machines with equipment for an automation system integrated at least partially in a communication network comprising:

• a product data management system, in which data relating to the product to be manufactured and further manufacture-related data are stored in a database;
• planning tools called up from a planning platform which allow at least partially virtual mapping of the product, the production building and the manufacturing facility by accessing the database;
• and
• a network planning tool for the communication network integrated in the planning platform, wherein data characterizing the communication network are available based upon the product data management system.

A method for planning a production unit with a production building and a manufacturing facility, wherein the manufacturing facility has machines with equipment for an automation system integrated at least partially in a communication network comprising:

• storing data relating to the product to be manufactured and further manufacture-related data in a database of a product data management system;
• calling up planning tools from a planning platform;
• generating at least partially virtual mapping of the product, the production building and the manufacturing facility, wherein each planning tool obtains required product information or unit information from the database of the product data management system;
• and
• planning the communication network, wherein a network planning tool is integrated in the planning platform, wherein the communication network obtains characterizing data from the database based upon the product data management system.