PROFINET is one of today’s leading Industrial Ethernet standards in industrial automation. Its real-time capability and flexibility make PROFINET a driver of digital transformation in industry. For companies that want to network their production and implement Industry 4.0 applications, competent and practical advice is therefore a decisive factor for success.
As the global market leader for integrated solutions and branded products in the field of cable and connection technology, LAPP is further expanding its training expertise in industrial communication: With the new LAPP Exploration Center (LEC) in Stuttgart, a contact point was opened in October 2024 that combines the theory and practice of industrial communication. Around six months after opening, U.I. Lapp GmbH was certified as a PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International) Competence Center by the PROFIBUS user organisation and is now one of 13 officially recognised competence centers in Germany. The quality standard certification confirms that LAPP supports companies with technical expertise in all matters relating to PROFINET and related technologies.
Officially approved expertise in industrial communication
The certification as a PI Competence Centre confirms LAPP’s in-depth know-how in connection technology with extensive expertise in active network technology. Among other things, a complete, standard-compliant demonstration setup, comprehensive analysis functions and the personal qualifications of the experts were decisive for the certification. At the heart of the commitment are three recognised PROFINET specialists: Thomas Leitmann, application engineer for industrial communication; Mehmet Ergün Tokgöz, product manager for PROFINET network components; and Slawa Likutschaew, sales specialist.
‘Our customers know us as specialists in cables and connectors,’ says Thomas Leitmann. ‘With this certification, we want to show that we are also a reliable partner for active components, network analysis and design, and now we have official recognition for this.’
Added value for customers: training, consulting, security
Customers benefit directly from the new status of the LAPP Exploration Centre: Not only do they have access to practical training courses, but also to individually tailored services such as interoperability tests, proof-of-concept projects and targeted engineering workshops. The training courses cover all relevant aspects of PROFINET, from selecting the right connection solutions and integrating switches to specific application scenarios in manufacturing.
‘With this certification, LAPP is demonstrating that we know what we are doing and we can communicate it,’ emphasises Mehmet Ergün Tokgöz. ‘Customers who work with us not only receive products, but also functioning complete solutions.’ At the LAPP Exploration Centre in Stuttgart, participants experience industrial communication as realistically as possible. Communication networks can be realistically mapped, tested and optimised. Training participants benefit from application-oriented know-how across all levels of modern network architectures, from the field level to the OT and IT levels. Demonstrations of innovative solutions such as ETHERLINE® GUARD for predictive monitoring or zeroCM® technology for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) round off the practical offering.
Sharing knowledge internally – networking potential globally
The certification also strengthens expertise at LAPP internally. Through the Exploration Centre and the accompanying training programme, LAPP employees gain systematic access to existing knowledge within the company. This also enables new employees to familiarise themselves with complex topics more quickly. For Mehmet Ergün Tokgöz, this is a key added value for an internationally active company like LAPP: ‘We have many experts in the company. But often their knowledge remains within individual teams or regions. With the Exploration Centre, we are creating a platform that makes this know-how visible and globally available.’
The global industrial communication community at LAPP plays a key role in this. It ensures that contact persons for industrial communication are available in all regions. In Germany, Slawa Likutschew takes on this role for technical sales: ‘I see myself as a bridge builder between technology and application and support our customers in building and developing their networks in a future-proof manner.’
A vibrant concept for the future
And this concept is set to continue in the future. Those responsible at LAPP do not regard the certification as a one-off award, but as a starting point for further growth. Training courses are therefore updated at regular intervals, content is further developed and new services are integrated. At the same time, LAPP is actively involved in working groups of the user organisation for the general further development of the standards. This includes, among other things, the expansion of safety classes in PROFINET and the integration of Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) in PROFINET for active and passive PROFINET technologies.
‘Our goal is for the Exploration Centre to remain a vibrant place – with constant exchange, new formats and real added value for everyone involved in industrial communication,’ says Tokgöz.
Training courses
The LAPP Exploration Center offers you training courses on various topics tailored specifically to your industry requirements.
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We would be happy to advise you individually on the implementation of your industrial communication solution in the LAPP Exploration Center!
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