The demand for skilled professionals who understand the exchange between information technology (IT) and operations technology (OT) is increasing as the industrial plant floor and corporate enterprise become more connected. In response, Rockwell Automation, in collaboration with Strategic Alliance partner Cisco, has launched a new training course to help IT and OT professionals overcome the challenges of converging their network technologies. The new training helps candidates prepare for the recently introduced Cisco Industrial Networking Specialist certification.
The hands-on, lab-based course – Managing Industrial Networks with Cisco Networking Technologies (IMINS) – provides the foundational skills needed to manage and administer networked, industrial control systems. The first-of-its-kind course is designed to help control system and traditional network engineers in manufacturing, process control, and oil and gas environments to better understand the networking technologies required to enable a connected enterprise for more profitable, real-time decision making.
“Establishing an effective connected enterprise requires seamless collaboration and integration between IT and OT professionals,” said Gary Pearsons, vice president and general manager, Customer Support and Maintenance Business, Rockwell Automation. “Our new training course empowers IT and OT professionals with the expertise they need to position their enterprises for future technology transitions. We’re fortunate to have an established partnership with Cisco to assist with curriculum development.”
"The industrial plant floor is transforming as information and operational technologies expand IP networking and Ethernet connectivity,” said Jeanne Beliveau-Dunn, vice president and general manager, Learning@Cisco. “Today's workforce will need to prepare for tomorrow's evolving job roles. The demand for skilled professionals who understand how to interact with IT, networking and traditional control systems continues to grow. An opportunity exists here to re-skill system engineers and plant technicians on networking in order to help them more effectively do their jobs while decreasing downtime. The offerings provided by Cisco and Rockwell Automation, including the recently announced IMINS course, underscore our commitment to helping professionals overcome challenges surrounding technology transitions while also producing stronger business outcomes for organizations. Learners also gain a future-proof education, acquiring the expertise needed to perform future IT, OT and networking roles. With an anticipated 220,000 IT and OT engineers needed every year to scale the Internet of Things (IoT), Rockwell Automation and Cisco are taking the steps necessary to address the skills gap challenge."
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Moxa unveils the ideal communication solution for high bandwidth Ethernet powered devices (PD) in industrial applications. To complete the line of high performance and extremely reliable industrial Ethernet switches, the EDS E series, the new EDS-G512E-8PoE is released. It features a high power output (up to 36 watts) designed for industrial, heavy-duty PoE devices, Gigabit Ethernet capabilities for large bandwidth network transmissions, easy management tools (SmartPoE) for monitoring PDs, and an industrial-grade reliability built to withstand harsh environments.
Moxa, a market leader in industrial Ethernet solutions, has unveiled new high-bandwidth integrated solutions that ensure high network availability to provide bandwidth-hungry quad-play services over a single converged network. Moxa’s high-bandwidth solutions not only offer a complete product portfolio from edge to core—including GbE/10GbE switches, GbE security, PoE/PoE+ switches, 802.11n wireless solutions, and full HD/HD IP cameras—but also help customers around the world design better network infrastructure.
Siemens has extended its industrial remote communication portfolio with three new industrial routers from the Scalance M series of products. The Scalance M812-1 and Scalance M816-1 enable users to access automation networks and components remotely from anywhere in the world over the public digital subscriber lines (DSL) of different providers. The third new router – the Scalance M826-2 – is designed for communication over private (leased) lines. The new routers are particularly suitable for applications in which wireless communication is either restricted or impossible, for example in the field of water treatment plants or medical technology.
To make accessing critical production data easier within the manufacturing enterprise, Rockwell Automation is launching the Allen-Bradley Stratix 5100 wireless access point (WAP) featuring a work group bridge. Unlike typical wireless clients that only connect a single IP address, the Stratix 5100 WAP enables engineers to connect up to 19 IP addresses simultaneously – helping reduce design time when integrating machines and equipment into the industrial control network.