April 14, 2010 - To date, more than 2000 students from dozens of countries worldwide have come to Opto 22 corporate headquarters in Temecula, California for free product training. Years ago, the company began the complimentary training as a means to help customers meet their automation challenges by reducing the learning curve and also lowering the risk and the investment required to understand, program, and deploy Opto 22 hardware and software. In 2002, Opto 22-developer of the SNAP PAC System family of programmable automation controllers, I/O, and accessories-began offering free training for its flagship automation software suite. Over the years, this training has expanded into a comprehensive four-day course on the company's SNAP PAC System.
Students receive hands-on instruction on the company's newest software suite (PAC Project), SNAP PAC programmable automation controllers, and SNAP I/O, known worldwide for its reliability. The course covers system components and configuration, networking, diagnostics, troubleshooting, control programming, HMI development, and communication methods. Steve Kosakura, Design Engineer at Garner Holt Productions, recently went through SNAP PAC System training. He credits the course with helping him develop and implement his mechanical control and animatronics projects swiftly and easily. "The training is not limited to textbook references," says Kosakura.
"It utilizes hands-on exercises based on real-world simulations, so you immediately connect the theory with the practical. The instructors even addressed special questions I had that were unique to my particular applications." "Our singular goal has always been to help customers solve their automation problems simply and affordably," says Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing Benson Hougland. "The free training we provide lowers the barrier to entry and gives many customers the skills and confidence they need to make their control, monitoring, and data acquisition projects successful."
As a supplement to its free SNAP PAC System training, Opto 22 is also currently hosting a series of free webinars, which not only cover topics specific to Opto 22 hardware and software, but also explore a number of the automation industry's current hot topics, such as establishing wireless connectivity and implementing controller redundancy.
About Opto 22
Opto 22 develops and manufactures hardware and software for applications involving industrial automation and control, remote monitoring, and data acquisition. Opto 22 products use standard, commercially available networking and computer technologies, and have an established reputation worldwide for ease-of-use, innovation, quality, and reliability. Opto 22 products are used by automation end-users, OEMs, and information technology and operations personnel. The company was founded in 1974 and is privately held in Temecula, California, USA. Opto 22 products are available through a worldwide network of distributors and system integrators.