We at Haslop & Mason set great store by keeping our staff and our customers up to date and upskilled through training in the use and application of our products. Much of this training has been done in partnership with global industrial automation and information technology brand Rockwell Automation – a long-standing supplier.
When Covid-19 restrictions forced us to do things differently, we moved our face-to face training to an online platform. Rockwell Automation still undertook a great deal of this training and we are grateful to them for accommodating us and our customers.
Dewald le Roux, business manager at Haslop & Mason, says: “We have come to realise that online training is not as effective as classroom training, but we have been back on track since early in 2022.”
Dewald indicates the benefits of in-person training: “Face-to-face meetings of staff and customers offer enhanced training benefits because:
● They allow for hands-on workshops using simulators, which give the customer a real-feel experience and customer-specific applications. This enhances their skill set and confidence in using the products on which they have been trained.
● They allow interaction and direct discussion with the suppliers/trainers to resolve fault finding, programming and new designs according to customer specifications.”
He adds: “Online training definitely has benefits, but face-to-face interaction is dedicated, faster and has a higher rate of knowledge transfer.”
Alan Roycroft, senior technology consultant for power and control from Rockwell Automation, explains how the training at Haslop & Mason will happen.
“The training is called the Drive Academy. On the first day we go through a smart workshop about digital transformation touching on smart equipment with the customers. This workshop discusses Smart Devices that are an integral component for Smart Machines and are the first step to capture operational data which enables you to make smarter and more informed decisions.
Smart devices are the foundation for smart systems – and smarter machines. They are the gateway to the information you need to take immediate action, improve productivity, save energy and the start of your digital transformation journey.
Regarding further training days, Alan says: “We will look at new products with regard to Powerflex drives and Rockwell Automation.
“We will also look at a demo that shows off connected components, workbench software, which is the interface from a PC to a variable speed drive. The customer learns how to programme the drive and can see what it is doing when it is in a running state.
“Then they will go through a hands-on lab. With a demo in front of them, they use the manual, following it step-by step to figure out how the drive works. They will set it up with the Connected Components Workbench software using wizards, which make the task much easier. They can practise on various types of drives and gain confidence in setting up a product like that.
“We will also look at installation practices,” Alan adds. “When one is installing a variable speed drive on a plant, there are specific things to look out for, referred to as harmonics or reflective wave.
“The installation can cause electromagnetic interference and we need to mitigate those conditions when they occur in a plant.
“Energy savings are important for customers and a variable speed drive in different scenarios can save them money in terms of the energy it draws from the supply. Once again, hands-on labs give the customer a feel for the product.”
Alan believes personalised training of this kind has enormous benefit for customers as they can get involved with the product and feel more confident that they can programme it.
Being able to work at their own pace, and knowing they have a trainer there if they get stuck, will give them the confidence to work through the demos.
“The information I share with the customer, that one-on one interaction, they don’t usually get in the real world or at university. That’s why we do it.
“This installation practice is very informative. Being able to ask questions in class and getting the answers straight away as opposed to a delayed response makes this whole environment more exciting; more interactive.
“The customers return to work knowing they have had a good week of training and of being able to ask all the questions they have wanted to ask.
“We find the turnout is always very good, especially at Haslop & Mason. Drive Academy is an exciting course, developed with information from Rockwell Automation, to be able to connect with the customers.”
