Mastering Micro800 Applications using Factory I/O
Learn how to create programs that control several of the built-in Factory I/O applications (aka "scenes") using your very own programmable controller, programming software, and either the 30 Day Trial of Factory I/O, or the student can purchase a license separately. In this course you will learn:
| ✓ How to Setup & Use Factory IO (FIO) | ✓ How to connect Factory IO to your PLC |
| ✓ How to solve several Factory IO "Scenes" | x PLC, PLC SW, & Factory I/O NOT Included |
Note: enrolling three or more people? Contact us here to learn about our group enrollment program.
At a Glance
- Format
- Online, self-paced
- Lessons
- 27 online lessons & exercises, plus a start-file appendix
- Skill Level
- Intermediate: Basic Micro800 / CCW programming knowledge recommended
- Access
- Lifetime, no expiration
- Certificate
- Yes, with PDHs
- Starting Price
- $49
- Content Last Reviewed
- March 17, 2026
On This Page
What You’ll Learn:
By the End of This Course, You’ll Be Able To:
- ✓ Getting Started: Set up, configure, and use Factory I/O
- ✓ PLC Connectivity: Connect Factory I/O to your Micro800 controller or the Micro800 Simulator
- ✓ Application Programming: Develop CCW programs to operate Factory I/O’s simulated industrial scenes
- ✓ Practical Projects: Solve the From A to B, Set & Reset, Filling Tank, Queue of Items, Buffer Station, Converge Station, and Sorting by Height scenes
What You Receive With Your Purchase:
- ✓ Immediate online course access
- ✓ Online instructor support
- ✓ PLC start files for all lessons
- ✓ Detailed step-by-step lessons
- ✓ Works with the 30-day Factory I/O trial
- ! Factory I/O software sold separately
- ✓ No course expiration date
- ✓ Retake lessons as needed
- ✓ Start files supporting Micro800
- ✓ Practical programming solutions
- ✓ Completion certificate with PDHs
- ! PLC hardware & software is NOT included
Proudly Serving Thousands of Individuals and Companies
Mastering Micro800 Applications using Factory I/O Online Course
Become a master at solving programmable controller applications without having to buy thousands of dollars of motors, conveyors, sensors, and control panels.
Those who want to become proficient programming control systems often find themselves trying to simulate complex operations with lights, buttons, and switches, as most can’t afford to build or purchase physical test systems that cost thousands of dollars.
But with our Mastering Applications course, and a trial or paid license of Factory I/O (sold separately), students can use their existing Micro800 or simulated Micro800 programmable controller and CCW programming software (neither included with the course) to learn how to solve several fully simulated factory applications.
Factory I/O is a unique software tool that simulates over twenty factory applications, allowing students of our Mastering Applications using Factory I/O course to forgo purchasing physical motors, conveyors, sensors, and operator panels, and instead use the simulated applications found in Factory I/O.
Students do this by using their own Micro800 controller (or the Micro800 Simulator) and CCW programming software (not included with the online course) with either the free 30-day trial version or a licensed copy of Factory I/O (sold separately).
Note: if you purchase a Factory I/O license from The Automation School, it comes bundled with a Mastering Applications using Factory I/O course at no additional charge!
And because we value our students’ time, each programming lesson also comes with a “Tag Start File,” so you can jump right into the programming lessons and avoid the time it takes to add tags to the programmable controller project.
Topics Covered in This Course
Below is a summary of the topics covered in this course. For a complete list of topics, see the course lesson list.
- Setting up and using Factory I/O
- Solving the From A to B Scene
- Solving the From A to B, Set & Reset Scene
- Solving the Filling Tank Scene
- Solving the Queue of Items Scene
- Solving the Buffer Station Scene
- Solving the Converge Station Scene
- Solving the Sorting by Height Scene
- And more! (see the lesson list)
Who Should Take This Course
Anyone who has a Micro800 PLC (or the CCW Micro800 Simulator) and a copy of CCW, and who’d also like to learn how to write programs to solve applications, or practice their application-solving skills, while also learning to use Factory I/O.
Who This Course Is NOT For
- Complete beginners who don’t know what a PLC is, or how ladder logic works — start with our foundational PLC Basics course first, then come back to this one
- Anyone looking to learn Micro800 hardware selection, setup, and configuration from scratch — this course focuses on solving applications; see our Micro800 (Nano Basics) course for those topics
- Anyone looking for application training on non-Micro800 platforms (e.g. CompactLogix, ControlLogix, PLC-5, SLC-500, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Omron) — CompactLogix and ControlLogix users should see our Mastering Logix Applications using Factory I/O course
- Anyone without access to a Micro800 controller (or the Micro800 Simulator) and CCW programming software — neither is included with the course, although CCW and the Micro800 Simulator are available free from AB.com
- Anyone without a Windows 10 or 11 PC that meets Factory I/O’s system requirements — please confirm your PC meets them before purchasing, as the free 30-day trial cannot be reset
Meet Your Instructor
Shawn Tierney
Industrial Automation Instructor
Founder of The Automation School, The Automation Blog, and host of The Automation Podcast and Show
Hi, I'm Shawn Tierney, and I've spent more than 35 years helping electricians, technicians, engineers, and programmers learn how to setup, program, and troubleshoot industrial automation products and systems.
During my first 25 years I attended over fifty weeks of Rockwell Automation training, and earned several certifications, including becoming a Rockwell Automation Certified Controls & Information Specialist.
And since 2015 I've focused full-time on creating practical online and in-person training courses to help people like you build and maintain real-world PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems.
Throughout my career I've trained thousands of automation professionals in manufacturing, OEM, and system integration environments. Every course I create is based on practical field experience, emphasizing techniques you can immediately apply on the plant floor.
My goal is simple: help you become more confident, more productive, and more valuable as an automation professional.
- 35+ Years in Industrial Automation
- Rockwell Automation Certified Controls & Information Specialist
- Instructor to Thousands of Automation Professionals
- Creator of The Automation School
- Author of The Automation Blog
- Host of The Automation Podcast and Show
Learn more about Shawn at The Automation Blog.
Course and Bundle Pricing
| Feature | Mastering Micro800 Applications using Factory I/O |
A-B Ultra Bundle Best Value: 50% Off! |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49 | $899 |
| Instant & lifetime access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lesson Q&A support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Completion certificate with PDHs | ✓ | ✓ |
| Works with free CCW + Micro800 Simulator (from AB.com) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Works with the Factory I/O 30-day trial (from FactoryIO.com) | ✓ | ✓ |
| 17-course A-B bundle | — | ✓ |
| Factory I/O license included | — | — |
| Micro800 PLC & CCW software included | — | — |
| Enroll | Buy Online Course Only | Buy 17 Course Bundle |
Note: the Factory I/O 30-day trial cannot be reset.
Video: Free Sample Lesson
In this lesson you’ll learn how to get Factory I/O, as well as how to open and navigate a Scene.
Note: If the sample lesson video above does not load, your place of business may be blocking our video host, Vimeo.com. To verify this, try viewing the video on your cell phone or home PC, or ask your IT department to unblock educational videos hosted on Vimeo.com. Two additional sample lessons are available to preview here and here.
Lesson Snapshots
Student Reviews
All students who complete the course are invited to leave a review, and you can see all the existing student reviews on the Reviews tab above.
Course Requirements
Requirements to follow along and/or complete any optional exercises
Students who wish to complete any optional exercises, or just follow along with the instructor as he teaches, will need the following (none of which are included with this course):
- An internet connection to take this online course
- A Windows 10 or 11 PC to run either the 30-day trial or a paid license of Factory I/O
- Factory I/O software: either the free 30-day trial from FactoryIO.com or a licensed copy
- A Micro800 programmable controller, or the Micro800 Simulator
- CCW (Connected Components Workbench) programming software — CCW and the Micro800 Simulator are available free from AB.com
- Note: the Factory I/O 30-day trial period starts when you install the trial software and cannot be reset
- Note: this online course does not include a PLC or PAC, nor does it come with PLC or PAC programming software
Course Pre-sales Questions
Have a question about this course? Send it to the instructor below.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Is this course beginner friendly? Do I need previous PLC experience?
No. This course assumes you already understand how Programmable Controllers and Ladder Logic work, and that you can use CCW with your Micro800 controller or the Micro800 Simulator.
Those with no prior Programmable Controller experience are encouraged to take my PLC Basics course first, and those new to the Micro800 platform may want to start with my Micro800 (Nano Basics) course.
Who is this course designed for?
I designed this course for anyone who has a Micro800 PLC (or the Micro800 Simulator) and a copy of CCW, and who would like to learn how to write programs to solve real-world applications, or practice their application-solving skills, while also learning to use Factory I/O.
Instead of simulating complex operations with lights, buttons, and switches, you’ll program your controller to run fully simulated 3D factory applications in Factory I/O.
How long does it take to complete?
The video lessons total more than four hours of instruction. However, that does not include any additional time you choose to spend completing the optional hands-on exercises.
And since all of my courses include lifetime access, you can return and review any lesson as often as you like.
Is Factory I/O included with this course?
No. Factory I/O is sold separately, but this course works with the free 30-day trial available from FactoryIO.com.
Please note that the 30-day trial period starts when you install the trial software and cannot be reset.
What hardware and software do I need?
You’ll need a Windows 10 or 11 PC to run Factory I/O (trial or licensed), a Micro800 controller or the Micro800 Simulator, and a copy of CCW programming software. None of these are included with the course, although CCW and the Micro800 Simulator are available free from AB.com.
See the Course Requirements section above for details.
Do I need a physical Micro800 controller?
No. You can complete the course using the free CCW software and Micro800 Simulator available from AB.com instead of a physical Micro800 controller.
Is instructor support included?
Yes. Lesson Q&A support is included with this course.
At the bottom of every lesson is a discussion area where students can post questions, and I personally answer them.
Lessons 1.10, 1.11, and 1.12 explain the Lesson Q&A, live student Q&A, and one-on-one mentoring options in more detail.
Is the course self-paced?
Yes. The course is completely self-paced, allowing you to progress through the lessons according to your own schedule.
Because all of my courses include lifetime access, you can also revisit and review any lesson as many times as necessary.
Does the course include hands-on exercises?
Yes. Scenes 2 through 7 each include an overview lesson, a hands-on exercise, and a solution lesson.
Each programming lesson also comes with a “Tag Start File” for Micro800, so you can jump right into programming without spending time adding tags to the project. All start files are also collected in Appendix A.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Once you’ve completed the course, you can view, print, and download a course completion certificate that lists the Professional Development Hours (PDHs) you’ve earned.
Please note that time spent completing the optional hands-on exercises is not included in the PDHs listed on your certificate.
Technical Questions
Which Factory I/O scenes are covered?
The course covers the following built-in Factory I/O scenes:
- From A to B
- From A to B, Set & Reset
- Filling Tank
- Queue of Items
- Buffer Station
- Converge Station
- Sorting by Height
For a complete list, see the course lesson list.
Can the Factory I/O 30-day trial be reset?
No. The trial period starts when you install the trial software and cannot be reset, so I recommend installing it when you’re ready to work through the course.
I use CompactLogix or ControlLogix. Is there a version of this course for me?
Yes. CompactLogix and ControlLogix users should see my Mastering Logix Applications using Factory I/O course, which covers the same Factory I/O scenes using RSLogix / Studio 5000.
License Agreement and Permitted Use of Our Online Courses
This section covers the license agreement and permitted use of our online courses and course bundles, which also includes any course materials, code snippets, downloads, and provided software — taken together, referred to collectively as a “course.”
The purchase of a single copy of a course grants a single individual the right to use the course for personal instruction and reference only. Purchasing a course for yourself (or for another) does not grant anyone the right to distribute or share that work beyond the single individual who registers to take the course.
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This means the course and course materials may not be shared with friends, relatives, co-workers, students, or anyone else, as each sale is for an individual license to access, view, and take the lessons, quizzes, and exercises, and to download any course materials, documents, code, files, and software included with the course.
This per-person licensing helps ensure that the instructor — who created the course and exclusively holds its copyright — can cover the cost of creating it, keeping it available to new and existing customers, and answering ongoing student questions, while receiving fair compensation for a course licensed on a per-person basis.
It is unlawful to share this copyrighted course and course material even if you do not charge or profit from doing so — including for non-profit and governmental organizations — since this proprietary educational work is designed as a chargeable training resource, not one made freely available to the public.
Any unauthorized sharing of the course or course materials would reduce the potential for additional sales and licensing, directly impacting the instructor’s ability to cover costs, keep the course available, and support customers who purchased it lawfully.
If you have questions about the above, please contact us using the “Contact” link in the site menu.
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