Efficient space management with AREAPLAN

In manufacturing and assembly, hall space often becomes a critical bottleneck during scheduling and capacity planning. Managers face significant challenges when:

• Projects vary in size and duration
• Constant changes must be accommodated
• Restrictions like building height, floor load, and safety zones complicate planning
• Coordination across multiple plants adds another layer of complexity

Accurately determining space requirements becomes a strategic necessity. 

Traditional tools like Excel or physical planning boards quickly fall short under this level of complexity.

Significant time savings

AREAPLAN replaces fragmented tools with one central platform, enabling all planning processes – even across multiple sites – to be executed efficiently and in perfect coordination.

Forward-looking space planning

Simulate spatial and temporal workflows for realistic production scenarios – ideal for high-variant manufacturing and frequent layout adjustments.

Optimal space utilization

Maximize the use of limited hall space – even with large-scale machinery, dynamic projects, and complex requirements.

Maximum flexibility

Plan adjustments, expansions, or new halls directly in the tool – simulated and visualized quickly, reliably, and efficiently.

Intelligent planning with foresight

Prevent duplicate space allocations and costly planning mistakes – thanks to automated checks for collisions and constraints such as restricted zones, building heights, or floor loads.

100% transparency for all stakeholders

Provide full visibility of occupancy plans and project status for teams, managers, and external partners – across sites and in real time.

Strategic basis for decision-making

Make well-founded decisions on delivery dates, capacities, and expansion needs – based on reliable data.

Designed for scalability. Built for real-world use.

AREAPLAN is continuously evolving – driven by real customer needs and ready for new challenges.

Seamless Integration

Ideal as an add-on to Visual Components, CAD, MES, APS, and ERP

AREAPLAN is based on the proven 3D simulation software Visual Components and can be seamlessly integrated into its user interface. Existing machine and production layouts can be imported for immediate use.

CAD geometries can also be easily imported to visualize assembly projects or machine configurations over time and open interfaces allow smooth connectivity with MES, ERP, APS, and PMS systems.

Efficient space capacity planning

Machine builders often face the challenge of assembling and testing equipment in their own factory halls before delivery to the customer. With AREAPLAN, you can instantly see when, where, and for how long a project can be scheduled. The software also supports different machine layouts and nesting configurations, allowing for precise and flexible planning.

Centralized global plant planning

AREAPLAN enables centralized planning across all company locations through a single planning department. You can consolidate all projects – whether production cells, lines, or entire production islands – from global sites and instantly see which projects can be executed, in which plant, and over what time period.

Temporary storage for large-scale plant construction

In large-scale plant construction, oversized components often require intermediate storage before moving to the next processing stage. AREAPLAN helps you efficiently allocate available space for temporary storage, showing exactly where and when large components or systems can be stored – ensuring smooth transitions and optimal space usage.

Developed from real-world needs and designed for current and future challenges

In modern mechanical and plant engineering, static hall layouts and manual planning tools no longer meet the demands of fast-paced, high-mix production. That’s why AREAPLAN was developed – born from a close collaboration with FILL, a long-time Visual Components user, to address the limitations of traditional space planning tools.

While most market solutions focus on one-time hall setups, AREAPLAN was designed to handle ongoing, dynamic space planning. It simulates both spatial and temporal aspects of production, making it ideal for manufacturers managing frequent layout changes, fluctuating assembly schedules, and complex machine configurations.

How our customers benefit from digital space management with AREAPLAN

Whether it’s optimizing space in a high-tech automotive plant or managing complex assembly lines in machinery manufacturing, AREAPLAN empowers teams to plan smarter, adapt faster, and make better use of every square meter.

• Real-time visibility into hall utilization and machine scheduling
• Flexible rescheduling in response to delivery delays or production changes
• Improved data quality through integration with ERP and MES systems
• Scalable deployment across multiple sites and department
• Significant time savings by eliminating manual planning in Excel