Volume 1 is a complete free course (10 chapters, hands-on exercises). Other volumes are structured textbooks — more chapters coming. For live instruction and employer cohorts, contact SW7FT.

Free course

Free · Complete · 10 chapters

Programming Foundations for Industrial Professionals

From ladder logic thinking to working Python on the plant floor

Variables, control flow, functions, and debugging — taught for electricians and controls engineers using a fictional Canadian plant lab.

10 chapters · ~3.5 hours
  • Python
  • foundations
  • free course
  • controls
Open free course
Volume 2

Linux and the Command Line for Plant Engineers

Servers you will actually touch in OT environments

Navigation, permissions, services, logs, and SSH — the minimum viable Linux fluency for automation professionals.

3 chapters · ~1 min
  • Linux
  • shell
  • SSH
  • servers
Open textbook
Volume 3

Git, Version Control, and DevOps Basics

Change control that scales beyond one engineer’s laptop

Repositories, branches, reviews, CI concepts, and repeatable deployments for automation software.

3 chapters · ~1 min
  • Git
  • DevOps
  • CI/CD
  • change control
Open textbook
Volume 4

APIs, MQTT, and OPC UA Connectivity

Moving data between PLCs, SCADA, MES, and cloud systems

REST patterns, MQTT topics, Sparkplug concepts, and OPC UA information models — without integration mythology.

3 chapters · ~1 min
  • APIs
  • MQTT
  • OPC UA
  • integration
Open textbook
Volume 5

SCADA, HMIs, and Historian Architecture

Operator trust, alarm philosophy, and data retention

Ignition, FactoryTalk, WinCC, and PI — how to design systems operators will actually use during an event.

3 chapters · ~1 min
  • SCADA
  • HMI
  • historian
  • alarms
Open textbook
Volume 6

PLC Platforms: Rockwell, Siemens, Schneider, and ABB

Choosing and integrating the controllers you already have

ControlLogix, S7-1500, Modicon M580, AC500, and 800xA — strengths, boundaries, and migration realism.

3 chapters · ~1 min
  • PLC
  • Rockwell
  • Siemens
  • Schneider
Open textbook
Volume 7

IT/OT Networks and Cybersecurity Essentials

VLANs, DMZs, and access patterns that still let you work

Purdue zoning, jump hosts, CIP/Profinet realities, and sustainable firewall hygiene.

3 chapters · ~1 min
  • IT/OT
  • cybersecurity
  • networking
  • Purdue
Open textbook
Volume 8

Python for Automation and Data Pipelines

From tag exports to reports operations trust

Pandas-lite patterns, scheduled jobs, Modbus/OPC clients, and quality flags — pragmatic data work.

3 chapters · ~1 min
  • Python
  • data
  • pipelines
  • OPC UA
Open textbook
Volume 9

Edge Computing and Remote Operations

Telemetry when bandwidth is expensive

Gateways, store-and-forward, minimum viable datasets, and remote support without punching holes in every PLC.

3 chapters · ~1 min
  • edge
  • MQTT
  • remote
  • telemetry
Open textbook
Volume 10

Practical AI and Analytics for Operations Teams

Useful models without the hype tax

Anomaly detection, forecasting guardrails, and when NOT to put a model in the loop — written for plant managers and engineers.

3 chapters · ~1 min
  • analytics
  • AI
  • operations
  • data
Open textbook

Want live cohorts or team training?

These textbooks are the curriculum backbone. SW7FT also runs live working sessions, employer-sponsored cohorts, and on-site weeks tied to your PLC and SCADA stack.

Contact SW7FT