News


IDX Academy becomes first certified Foundation fieldbus training centre on the African continent

April 2015 News

The FieldComm Group has announced that IDX Academy, the South African industrial communications training centre based in Johannesburg, has been successful in the rigorous certification process required to become a site that offers fieldbus training courses certified under the Foundation Fieldbus Certified Training Programme (FCTP). This programme establishes uniform standards for fieldbus end user educational curriculum around the globe, and defines acceptable levels of learning for students of the technology.

IDX Academy is the first certified Foundation fieldbus training site on the African continent. Eight engineers from Angola LNG passed the inaugural five-day course held on campus last month, with a further nine Angola LNG engineers attending the course in March. The successful students are now proficient in the installation, maintenance, repair, and trouble-shooting of Foundation fieldbus networks and systems.

The certification of IDX Academy is the first FCTP accreditation since the joining of the Fieldbus Foundation and HART Communication Foundation was completed, with the new FieldComm Group becoming operational on 1 January 2015. The opportunity to incorporate certified HART technology training is being planned alongside the current certified training centres.

The dedicated training rigs at IDX Academy utilises host systems, devices and components from several FieldComm Group members including Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, Eaton/MTL, Honeywell, National Instruments, Pepperl+Fuchs, Smar, Softing, StoneL, Turck and WIKA.

IDX’s David Bean commented, “Certification is important for the IDX Academy because we are now formally recognised by the FieldComm Group as the high quality training centre that we are. Our customers expect the best and this gives them a guarantee that the content of our Foundation fieldbus courses, and the course materials, are up to date and delivered by an expert.”

The provision of a certified training centre in the African continent has been a primary objective of the FieldComm Group Southern African Marketing Committee for some time. Marc Van Pelt, FieldComm Group vice president EMEA Operations, is delighted that IDX Academy has gained its accreditation.

“I am proud that we have reached our goal of providing certified technical training and support to Foundation fieldbus users and potential users across the region and my thanks go to everyone involved throughout the comprehensive process. It was an honour to present the certificate of accreditation to David Bean and his team.”

For more information contact Michael Garnham, Industrial Data Xchange, +27 (0)11 548 9970, [email protected], www.idx.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

4Sight OT Automation achieves prestigious AVEVA Endorsed Partner status
News
4Sight OT Automation, a leading industrial software solutions provider, has achieved Endorsed Partner status within the AVEVA Partner Network.

Read more...
Schneider Electric announces 2023 Global Alliance Partner Programme award winners
Schneider Electric South Africa News
Schneider Electric has announced the winners of the 2023 Global Alliance Excellence Awards. Throughout 2023, Schneider Electric’s Alliance Partners supported customers in the digitalisation of industrial automation, delivering value with innovative initiatives, solutions and services.

Read more...
Custom containerised lubrication dispensing system
News
Bosch Rexroth Africa recently supplied and installed a customised environmentally friendly and dust-proof lubrication dispensing system for a leading earth-moving equipment supplier.

Read more...
Siemens to acquire industrial drive technology business of ebm-papst
Siemens South Africa News
Siemens has signed an agreement to acquire the industrial drive technology business of ebm-papst. The business includes intelligent, integrated mechatronic systems in the protective extra-low voltage range and innovative motion control systems.

Read more...
Bearings International fosters a segment strategy
Bearings International News
Bearings International has a segment approach to the market, which places an intentional focus on key industries in South and sub-Saharan Africa in a bid to optimise operations, enhance uptime, and drive business sustainability and increased profitability outcomes for customers.

Read more...
Local robotics team’s journey to the world stage
News
In the heart of Cape Town, a group of young visionaries aged 12 to 17 is making waves in the world of robotics. Known as Texpand, this team from Pinelands has not only dominated the First Tech Challenge (FTC) in South Africa, but has also earned international acclaim for its innovative approach to engineering and problem solving.

Read more...
RS Group expands by 10 000 products
RS South Africa News
RS South Africa has announced its Better World Claims Based Framework, enabling customers to select verified sustainable product alternatives. This provides suppliers with a standardised framework to accelerate the development and manufacture of more sustainable and responsible products.

Read more...
IRP 2023 could reset SA’s social and economic problems
News
ACTOM recently held a webinar on the ‘Draft IRP2023 Impact on the Manufacturing Sector’. South Africa’s Draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 is a key document that outlines a comprehensive strategy for addressing the country’s energy security challenges, while also setting out its transition to a diversified energy mix, including renewables.

Read more...
Young scientists to showcase innovative research
News
Innovative South African research which includes a cost-effective triage test for real-time detection of TB and a nature-based technology that brings about environmental remediation, will be showcased at this year’s International Festival of Engineering, Science and Technology in Tunisia.

Read more...
Moog takes a leadership position in lunar exploration
News
NASA is planning for a sustained human presence on the Moon, and resources such as water could eventually be harnessed from the lunar surface instead of being transported from Earth, and it has turned to industry to find ways to excavate and transport that icy regolith.

Read more...