Plugfests are in the news with a recent PROFINET plugfest in Germany and an upcoming PROFINET plugfest in the US. IO-Link has a similar event scheduled for October. Recent events included an international meeting of PI Competence Centers (PICC), PI Training Centers (PITCs) and PI Test Labs (PITLs) plus an IO-Link member meeting. There are still hundreds of training and events scheduled for 2016.
PROFIsafe is growing rapidly and PI is providing multiple classes to educate users, machine builders, and device makers in the benefits of this technology. Educational opportunities range from webinars to certification classes. Two PROFIsafe-specific classes are scheduled in Germany with the certification class offered only in English.
This issue spotlights the 29 global certified PI Training Centers (PITCs) in 19 countries around the globe. PITCs train engineers and installers in courses ranging in length from one day to week-long. PITCs can be certified to teach Certified PROFIBUS Designer / Engineer / Installer, Certified PROFIBUS PA Engineer, and/or Certified PROFINET Engineer / Installer.
There are over 200 training classes remaining globally in 2016. Visit the PI global training website to filter by country, technology, and target student. Of note is an IO-Link workshop in Italy. In North America, the training schedule is finalized for PROFINET free one-day training classes, PROFINET and PROFIBUS Certified Network Engineer classes, and PROFINET Developer classes.
PI North America, in collaboration with the PROFI Interface Center, is proud to announce the creation of workshops dedicated to developers of automation devices. The classes guide a vendor through the options open to them when they decide to add a PROFINET interface to their device.
PI sponsors a range of classes: free one-day training classes, PROFIBUS & PROFINET Certified Network Engineer classes, and the newly created PROFINET Developer Classes. Globally, there is a five-city series in France featuring PROFIBUS, PROFINET, and wireless PROFINET and in Germany there's a plugfest.
In North America, additional cities have been confirmed for no-charge PROFINET one-day training classes and additional Certified Network Engineer classes are announced. Free PROFIBUS and PROFINET training is coming to the UK. PI Australia formalizes its Automation Innovation Summit. In Germany IO-Link, PROFIBUS, and PROFIsafe training is scheduled.
Lunch for 1,263 please. In 2015, PI North America fed 1,263 students lunch at the 17 PROFINET one-day training classes. A similar crowd is expected in 2016. Industrie 4.0, Internet of Things, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are everywhere now, including these PROFINET classes. Additional classes and events include the fee-based PROFIsafe Designer Training coming in March. Become a “Certified PROFIsafe Designer" by passing the tests there.
