Who should I turn to…
…when the PROFIblog turns away.
Not that it would deliberately turn away, but the PROFIblog is only one small part of the resources available to users of PROFIBUS and PROFINET. There are many other places you can turn to for information.
In North America, PTO and the PROFI Interface Center (PIC) offer free training classes and Certified Network Engineer classes. RC Systems also offers certification classes. There are similar organizations outside North America that offer similar training classes; see the website for international training details.
No matter where in the world you are there are some online resources:
Webinars
Forums for PROFIBUS and PROFINET
The webinars cover quite a few different topics with more coming. The forums provide access to experts who can answer just about any question you can imagine.
No matter where in the world you are there are some local resources. We are the only fieldbus organization with the concept of Competence Centers. There are over 40 of these centers around the globe. These centers are accredited by PI (the international organization overseeing PROFIBUS and PROFINET). Competence Centers are audited in person every two years to assure that they are able to provide the level of support PI demands. In addition to Competence Centers, PI accredits Training Centers (PITCs) and Test Labs (PITLs). In North America we have two Competence Centers that are also Training Centers: PROFI Interface Center and RC Systems. The PIC is also a certified Test Lab.
Of course, your best resource is the people. Call the PTO (480-483-2456) or call the PIC (423-262-2590) if we can help.
–Carl Henning