Each panel or panel section gets a "location".
For example +A1, +A2, +C44.
Each group of terminals (aka "Terminal strip") get a number.
For example -X1, -X2.
Each terminal within each strip gets a number.
For example :1, :2, :3.
It is smart to give the cable exactly the same number as the strip, and the wires exactly the same numbe as the terminal.
And since cables wire numbers always go 1, 2, 3 ... etc, then the terminals should do the same.
So the functionally identical terminals in two separate panels have the numbering in one panel:
+A1-X1:1, :2, :3
and the other panel:
+A2-X1:1, :2, :3
The cables and their wires going out from these terminals would be:
+A1-W1:1, :2, :3
and
+A2-X1:1, :2, :3
It is simple.
On the outside of the panels it says "+A1" and "+A2" respectively.
Inside, the terminal strips each have a sticker "-X1", "-X2" etc.
Each terminal in the strips only have the short number "1", "2", "3" etc.
The cables have labels like "+A1-W1", "+A2-W1".
The wires have preprinted numbers on them already.
The end result is that cable "+A1-W1" and its wires connect to terminal strip "+A1-X1", and the numbers of the wires correspond exactly to the numbers of the terminals.
This is a nobrainer especially when you have panels, or machine sections that are exactly alike or very alike.
You can copy 100's of pages, and just change the location identifier, and you are done.
To also adopt the function identifier ("=") may be confusing for some, but the location identifier is easy to understand and can easily be implemented. Most modern Ecad systems support this already.