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Watch out for the next IEB webinar.

On September 25th IEB will host its first webinar entitled 'Balancing demands of corporate IT with the reality of Industrial Ethernet', featuring Schneider Electric explaining how IT departments and the plant floor can indeed be integrated successfully using Industrial Ethernet, providing some key issues are carefully addressed. Our related 'webin-article' below outlines the main theme and identifies the key discussion points which will be given detailed attention online.

You can register to attend the webinar here . The webinar will include time to raise your favourite questions on this essential topic. Don't miss out - register today.

Helping deliver the first IEB webinar will be Michael Roche, Principal Application Engineer, Industrial Ethernet Systems, Schneider Electric - Automation Business

As Ethernet is growing increasingly popular as an industrial application protocol due to its speed, openness and design flexibility, Engineering is often faced with presenting the unique challenges of Industrial Ethernet applications to their colleagues in the Information Technology department. While there may be a cultural difference between the two departments, there are also unique technical aspects of Industrial Ethernet that IT must be made aware of. To participate in a live discussion of these issues and how to make IT cognizant of these features while maintaining autonomy, join us or a free web discussion on this topic hosted by experts in Industrial Ethernet and IT solutions.

IT desires ownership of any device on the network with an IP address. By extension, this may include corporate IT standard' infrastructure devices such as Ethernet switches to be employed. While for certain purposes, traditional IT device recommendations have a role connecting an Industrial process LAN to the enterprise, there are many reasons why purpose built, industrial devices make more sense. Our webinar will detail the business case for industrial devices beyond the expected harsh operating environment. Features such as configuration ease and accessibility, device replacement and maintenance are not to be overlooked.

Controls Engineering is reluctant to cede autonomy to IT for many reasons. Chief among this is the ability to administer and maintain the infrastructure that drives critical production processes. Relying on the IT Help Desk to respond to a switch failure that has caused a plant shutdown may not be assigned the required high priority by the Help Desk technician. Additionally, IT may be unfamiliar with the equipment or intimidated by the equipment location in control cabinets with high energy wiring. By the same account, configuring switch features useful to Industrial Ethernet systems can be equally intimidating to non-IT personnel. Industrial Ethernet switch OEM's have responded by making key features accessible via web configuration and on-line help. Some even have simplified device replacement methods where IP addressing can be accomplished with mechanical switch settings requiring no computer knowledge.

To be sure, IT is an important partner for successful enterprise networking that includes industrial supply chain processes. Knowing how to broker cooperation and achieve the required level of priority whether planning industrial networks or responding to a problem on a process network.

Key discussion points to be covered during the webinar:

• Is an Industrial Ethernet network problem important to IT?
• Should you follow IT hardware recommendations for your plant?
• What IT needs to know about Industrial Ethernet.
• Why IT switch recommendations may not best serve Industrial production.
• How IT designs its networks and why these may not serve as well for Industrial Ethernet.
• What your Maintenance department needs to know to maintain your Industrial Ethernet network.
• How to convince IT to accept Industrial Ethernet.
• What responsibilities should be shared with IT and how should they be assigned.
• How can IT be made a partner in your Industrial Ethernet network.

Webinar date: September 25th, 2007 North America: 10:00 AM EDT (GMT -4:00) UK: 15:00 PM Click here to register