RSTechED 2007 to Provide Collaborative, Hands-On Learning Experience With Cutting-Edge Technologies and Services for Manufacturing and IT

Hosted by Rockwell Automation, this week-long event is expected to attract a broad cross-section of attendees representing plant-floor, engineering and IT functions

MILWAUKEE,- In response to growing interest in the benefits of plant-wide integration across a range of manufacturing sectors, Rockwell Automation has expanded its attendee list and broadened its educational program for its 10th annual RSTechED training conference. The week-long event is scheduled for June 17-22 at the Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, Fla.

Originally exclusive to Rockwell Automation distributors, system integrators and field staff, this year’s event has been expanded to appeal to attendees representing key functions across the manufacturing enterprise, including operations, engineering, IT, maintenance, and corporate planning and strategy.

“Companies are recognizing the need to create an integrated environment where plant-floor processes and business priorities are managed in a collaborative, synchronized manner,” said Kevin Roach, vice president of Software, Rockwell Automation. “At RSTechED, we’re showing how a single integrated manufacturing environment helps companies drive operational excellence across and beyond the entire enterprise, including business processes, supply chains and customer networks.”

In addition to hosting a larger audience, Rockwell Automation also has added Manufacturing 2.0, an executive event running parallel to RSTechED, on June 18-19. Manufacturing 2.0 will educate executives in both manufacturing and IT on how to effectively execute a manufacturing and IT integration strategy that will speed time to market, optimize asset utilization, diminish business risk and reduce total cost of ownership. This exclusive forum includes keynote presentations from Stuart Scott, CIO, Microsoft Corporation, and Angel Mendez, senior vice president, Global Manufacturing, Cisco Systems Inc. Each will bring their unique perspectives to the event.

Offering a comprehensive educational forum, RSTechED provides attendees with the latest information on Rockwell Automation technologies and services designed to help them succeed in today’s highly competitive global manufacturing marketplace. A key highlight of RSTechED 2007 will be the FactoryTalk integrated production and performance software suite from Rockwell Automation. The software solution is designed to close the gap between enterprise and control systems, offering preferred integration and connectivity with the Rockwell Automation Logix Control Platform, as well as interoperability with other manufacturing and business systems.

Over the course of the week attendees will have the opportunity to participate in more than 400 different sessions, including hands-on workshops, commercial and technical presentations, and integrated demonstrations and case histories. Participants also will have numerous opportunities to exchange information and ideas, learn how peers tackle day-to-day challenges, and create a network of resources.

The keynote speakers for RSTechED 2007 will be Roach, as well as Geoffrey Moore, best-selling author of “Dealing with Darwin” and “Crossing the Chasm,” and managing director at TCG Advisors.

For more information about RSTechED, including registration information, please visit http://www.RSTechED.com or e-mail RSTechED@ra.rockwell.com.