OREANDA-NEWS. January 25, 2016. Information technology (IT) has permeated manufacturing infrastructure and operations, producing The Connected Enterprise and triggering questions about responsibility for plant-based networks and assets. IT and operations technology (OT) professionals are facing convergence in their duties and the skill set required to succeed. Rockwell Automation and Sunset Learning Institute (SLI) are teaming up to improve and increase access to continuing education and certifications surrounding the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT).

Rockwell Automation is increasing its investment in an IoT training curriculum. The company has rolled out several courses and a certification program over the last year with its Strategic Alliance Partner Cisco. New courses and certifications can help both IT and OT workers gain the skills needed to manage, administer, design and operate converged industrial networks. These include the Managing Industrial Networks with Cisco Networking Technologies (IMINS) training course; Managing Industrial Networks for Manufacturing with Cisco Technologies (IMINS2); and CCNA Industrial certification.

SLI specializes in delivering and developing authorized Cisco training. SLI has been a top-tier Authorized Cisco Learning Partner for 20 years. The courses and certifications supported by Rockwell Automation-SLI collaboration include:

  • Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1): A five-day course on how to install, operate, configure and verify basic IPv4 and IPv6 networks.
  • Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2): A five-day course on how to install, configure, operate and troubleshoot a small enterprise network.
  • Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Accelerated (CCNAX): An advanced, five-day course consisting of ICND1 and ICND2 content in its entirety.
  • Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials: A five-day course designed to prepare for the CCNA wireless certification, an associate-level certification specializing in the wireless field.

Students can register for courses via the Rockwell Automation and SLI websites.

“Our customers are tasked with building and managing networks and information systems that are different from anything their predecessors confronted,” said Glenn Goldney, global business manager for training services, Rockwell Automation. “Pairing SLI’s qualifications with our own expertise in OT provides IT and OT professionals with premium quality IoT training. These are the skills workers need to take advantage of IoT to drive new opportunities, and unite traditionally disparate practices.”

“The convergence of IT and OT makes it critical that we partner with the very best in the OT space,” said Rick Morgan, CEO, Sunset Learning Institute. “Combining our in-depth knowledge of IT and Cisco markets with Rockwell Automation expertise in the OT space creates an unrivaled partnership in the emerging IoT marketplace.”

SLI also provides a distinct training delivery platform with its High-Definition, Instructor-Led Training (HD-ILT) Network. HD-ILT is SLI’s proprietary video conferencing and patented, remote-lab training modality. Students using HD-ILT have interactive training sessions with two-way, high-definition video and real-time audio, giving instructors and students easy and full visibility of one another.

With over 50 locations across the U.S., Canada and Latin America, the SLI HD-ILT network significantly increases options for IT and OT professionals looking for training without the travel costs. Training is also available in person at Rockwell Automation and SLI facilities across North America. Rockwell Automation and SLI expect to add joint course offerings in the years ahead. All courses are open for registration.

About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs about 22,500 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.