For years, PLC programming was the core skill in automation.
Today, something else is quietly becoming just as important - Industrial Networking.
Machines are no longer working alone.
They are communicating continuously.
And engineers who understand this communication are gaining a major advantage.
PLCs Don’t Work in Isolation Anymore
Modern automation systems include
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PLCs
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HMIs
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SCADA systems
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Drives
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Remote I/O
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Cloud dashboards
All of them rely on communication.
If networking fails, even perfect PLC logic becomes useless.
What Is Industrial Networking in Simple Terms
It is how devices exchange data.
Protocols like
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Ethernet/IP
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Profinet
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Modbus TCP
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OPC UA
allow machines to share information in real time.
This makes
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Remote monitoring possible
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Centralized control possible
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Predictive maintenance possible
Why This Skill Is Growing Fast
Industries now demand
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Faster data exchange
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Remote diagnostics
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Smart factory integration
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Data-based decision making
That means automation engineers must understand
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IP addressing
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Network topology
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Switch configuration
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Basic troubleshooting
Not just ladder logic.
The New Type of Control Engineer
Earlier
Engineer = Electrical + PLC
Now
Engineer = Electrical + PLC + Networking + Basic IT knowledge
The boundary between automation and IT is getting smaller.
Engineers who adapt early will move into
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System integration roles
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Smart factory projects
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Senior automation positions
What Beginners Should Start Learning
You don’t need deep IT knowledge.
Start with
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Understanding IP addresses
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How PLC connects to HMI
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Basic Ethernet troubleshooting
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Difference between protocols
Step by step, your confidence will grow.
Final Thought
In modern automation, data flow is as important as power flow.
The future control engineer is not only a programmer -
but also a communication bridge between machines.
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