Panduit and Rockwell Automation: A Sum That’s Bigger Than the Parts

With Rockwell Automation Fair 2018 right around the corner, there’s never been a better time to talk with Jeff Beller, who is Panduit’s business development manager for industrial automation infrastructure, as well as the point person for Panduit’s alliance with Rockwell Automation.

Here are some highlights from our interview, including Jeff’s take on what not to miss at Automation Fair on November 14 -15 in Philadelphia.

Jeff, thanks for making time to talk with us today. With Automation Fair just a week away, I’m sure you have lots to do before you leave for Philly.

Our list is longer than the Rocky Steps, but it’s all good. Automation Fair is my passion and our team’s moment of glory.

Passion and glory? Was that an intentional nod to the Rocky theme song Eye of the Tiger, or did you just get lucky?

That was luck.

I thought that might be the case. Speaking of luck, Panduit is lucky enough to have a ton of opportunities to connect with customers at Automation Fair. Can you tell us a little bit about what you have going on?

Sure, so we’ll be showcasing solutions at several locations throughout the show floor. There’s the Panduit booth of course, Booth #349, where we have tons of exciting stuff happening. We’re showing how we ‘turn standards into solutions’ with a new industrial connectivity demonstration board and the launch of our NEMA-12 rated Micro Data Center solution.

We’re also in several of the Rockwell Automation booths: Connected Services, Connected Enterprise, Intelligent Packaged Power and Smart Devices. And we are also pleased to partner with another Rockwell Encompass partner, Eplan, where they will demonstrate integration of Panduit solutions into their control panel design platform.

That is a big presence, no wonder you are so excited. I’m assuming not every company gets to be in six booths?

You are right, most companies don’t get this opportunity, and we’re very grateful. It is reflective of our long-standing relationship with Rockwell, our commitment and support of the partner ecosystem and our increasing relevance in the industrial and manufacturing space. We’ve been a Rockwell Automation Encompass Partner since 1999 and a Strategic Alliance partner since 2012. It’s a collaboration we very much value, and one that helps us – and by us I mean both Panduit and Rockwell – to really help our customers. We’re working together on business strategy, product innovation and partner enablement programs.

Rockwell is all about industrial automation and information – I mean it says so right in their name.

And for customers to fully benefit from automation they need a physical infrastructure – networking, connectivity, intelligence – from the enterprise to the edge. That’s where Panduit shines strong. We understand customer needs on the plant floor as well as what’s happening with the enterprise network piece that needs to work with it. So it’s really about closing that physical infrastructure gap in OT the way it has long been done in IT.

So it sounds like Panduit’s relationship with Rockwell extends far beyond the Automation Fair show floor?

Absolutely. For example, we align our respective areas of complementary domain expertise to develop solutions, as well as offer joint product promotions and network project services to our customers. We also collaborate in developing and delivering training and services enablement for our partners.

Sounds like a power house team to me. Tell us, what types of Panduit-Rockwell solutions should attendees keep an eye out for?

There is so much to see at Automation Fair, here are some of the highlights:

• In the Rockwell Smart Devices booth, check out the Panduit VeriSafe™ Absence of Voltage Tester, which determines the absence of voltage with a push of a button, integrated with Rockwell’s MCC solution. Also, try out the new Rockwell push-in terminal block using Panduit ferrules and crimping tools.
• In the Rockwell Intelligent Packaged Power booth, check out the IntelliCENTER Integration Unit. It’s engineered by Rockwell and built by Panduit, and provides data integration of electrical power and distribution into the control system architecture.
• The Rockwell Industrial Data Center (IDC) solution, which is powered by Panduit data center and connectivity infrastructure, will be in the Connected Services, Connected Enterprise and Intelligent Packaged Power booths.
• Also in the Connected Services booth, learn how Panduit physical infrastructure design services are combined and leveraged to provide a standards-based holistic network solution for customers.
• And don’t even think about leaving the show without visiting Rockwell’s Innovation booth for a glimpse into where the industry is headed.

Earlier you mentioned something about turning ‘standards into solutions’ inside the Panduit booth. What is that all about?

Oh right, yes, in the Panduit booth we’ll be showing attendees how we ‘turn standards into solutions’ with our complete portfolio of industrial connectivity, network building blocks and control panel build solutions. We bring to life the concept and standard of MICE analysis with a connectivity demonstration that also includes a couple of new Rockwell products being introduced.

Also in our booth will be the new NEMA-12 rated Micro Data Center (MDC), which enables secure reliable deployment of FactoryTalk/PlantPAx applications out on the plant floor where a controlled room environment space is not available.

Q: Jeff, thanks so much. Our readers will surely appreciate these tips. We know you have to go, but one last question: Where can we find you at Automation Fair in case we have other questions?

I’ll be at Panduit Booth 349 much of the time and assisting with our Technical Session titled Panduit: The Control Cabinet on Wednesday and Thursday at 9:00 AM.

Where to find Jeff and the Panduit team at Automation Fair in Philadelphia:

Visit Panduit Booth #349
Stop in to see our industrial networking solutions at work – and enter for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

Panduit: The Control Cabinet
Wednesday and Thursday at 9:00AM
Room 108B