Student Reviews
Stewart Rinker, Hardware Engineer-Controls at Daikin Applied Americas
The Full Spectrum course was very comprehensive, covering each setting, menu, property, etc. Exactly what I needed, someone to walk through all these things. Thanks a ton!
Mike Kleist, Principal Hardware Engineer at Spectrum Brands, Inc
PCB Foundations covered the PCB process from A to Z. The mix of experience and questions from students were handled and answered expertly. Being new to the PCB world was not a hindrance. The combination of lecturing and questioning was as much as I hoped.
Mark Evanson, Owner at Evanson Aero
Erich isn't just an instructor. He's also someone who uses the tool regularly himself. That makes a difference. With him, the material wasn't just a list of topics to cover. He was able to show it as a connected set of techniques that combine to serve a useful purpose. I found his presentation style clear and easy to understand. I was already very familiar with Altium Designer but a much earlier version. The interface has changed enough that I was becoming frustrated. The most valuable thing I received was an insight into how the new user interface is intended to be used. I now again feel like the tool is working for me instead of against me.
Brian Falter, P.E., Electronic Innovations Inc.
I thought the course manual was very well written and up to date with the latest features of AD20. This makes up for beginners' fast pace like me since I was a bit slower in picking up the basic navigation skills as a first-time user. This enables you to catch up after hours, refresh yourself with the course material at a later date, and utilize this manual as a continuous reference, especially for someone who doesn't use the software every day and does not memorize all that the software offers and all the convenient shortcuts and tools. I definitely appreciate the Full Spectrum course content. It is a rapid way to get up and running with the software while also exploring many of the advanced features that Altium Designer provides. I also appreciate that the course was project-based learning; it helps to understand how the software functions most efficiently through the design process.
Stephen Froese, Systems Design Engineer, PerkinElmer, Inc.
Wayne Hughes, Electrical Engineer, Tuthill
The exercises were easy to follow and helped cement the topics covered during the guided lectures. I was really impressed with how well the literature and exercises drove home the intent of the modules.
Julio Gallardo, Product Development Engineer, Abbott
Erich was very interested in making sure I understood the process. He took the time to explain in detail any uncertainties I had. I found the exercises to be most valuable in the Altium Designer Boot Camp course.
Russ Steder, Engineering Technician 2, MSA Innovation, LLC
Paul helped us get up to speed with the utilization of Concord Pro through online coaching and a visit to our facility to answer questions, review what had been done, and tie up any loose ends. His experience with the techniques to migrate components, set up templates, and share "best practices" has been a tremendous aid in setting up what makes sense for our needs and application. He is also an all-around nice guy, and we enjoyed the hands-on instruction and conversations while he was here.
Albert Tejera, Principal Systems Engineer, JL Marine Systems, Inc.
Sean has fantastic communication skills and was very patient with all attendees. He took his time to go over specific points, so you really understood all the different options available to you with Altium Designer 2019. Thank you for doing such a great job; it really shows through and is very appreciated. Overall it was a great experience.
Emil Zombory, Design Engineer, PdMA Corporation
Erich was an incredible and knowledgeable instructor for the Altium Designer Boot Camp. He did a great job of keeping us engaged and developing a lesson plan, which showed us how to develop a PCB project from beginning to end. Even though there were different levels of Altium experience within the students, Erich did an excellent job of tailoring the class on the fly for each of us.
Christian Setiawan, Electronic Engineer, Spectra-Physics
Altium Designer 18, like many CAD tools in its price range, has many complicated features that most designers will never use, but with this class, I feel confident that my learning curve will be quicker and easier.
Jim Smith, Sr. EE, DANA - Advanced Chassis Controls Group
I attended the combined Boot Camp and Spec Ops class and found the training excellent! The instructor was an outstanding instructor and a good experience design engineer with years of Altium Designer background. He was able to deliver the course content and make sure I was able to fully understand the topics and how they related to my work. I would strongly recommend training from Nine Dot Connects to anyone thinking about improving their skills.
Milton Arturo Diaz, PCB Design Engineer, Molex de Mexico
Training on Altium Designer with Nine Dot Connects is always a truly enlightening experience. Their comprehensive, hands-on approach ensures that you immerse yourself into some of the most advanced topics of Altium. The free webinars offer critical information and design techniques invaluable to anyone wishing to expand their knowledge of Altium. Their highly proficient and adept staff provides you with the knowledge and wisdom you need to tackle today's electrical design challenges. I highly recommend training with Nine Dot Connects!
George Hunt, Product Manager/Applications Engineer, MICROMO
Nine Dot Connects provided the Altium Designer Boot Camp private onsite training. The instructor was successful at keeping the entire class engaged, and while working through the exercises, he worked with us on an individual basis. I thoroughly enjoyed this training class? One of the best classes I have ever attended. My goal for attending the class was to understand how everything fits together and have the ability to incorporate part changes as the product matures. I feel I have a good understanding of the material as it relates to my job function.
Configuration Manager - Harris Corporation
This course (PCB Foundations) helped me fill many knowledge gaps. I never knew the details of the whole PCB design process. This was never taught at my University, and I had to learn about the PCB process myself. The course helped me understand each step of the process in a detailed manner. I thoroughly enjoyed the course, and the instructor was outstanding and was available to answer all of my questions and concerns. I hope to take other courses soon.
Rafael Diaz - EE, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
The material (PCB Foundations) was an excellent and detailed overview of the entire PCB process. A good resource of information for beginners as this information isn't really written down all in one place... until now. The practical, real-life examples are always good. A lot of details. It's all about the details. I wish I had this 16 years ago when I started.
Sr. Printed Circuit Board Designer - MSA Innovation, LLC
We first worked with Nine Dot Connects via their Altium Designer Boot Camp course. This course was both informative and practical. The instructor gave us a lot of advice that only a seasoned veteran of PCB design and Altium could provide. We also contracted with Nine Dot Connects for PCB layout services. The work was done very quickly and with high quality. I can wholeheartedly recommend them for both design and layout. Thanks to their services we have been able to keep our project on schedule.
Timothy Benson - EE, Xylem Inc.
The course (PCB Foundations) gave me an overview of the entire PCB manufacturing and design cycle and good practices to follow at each step. Without this course, I would be like an architect who has never seen a construction site and would make crazy, unreasonable demands.
Yuji Iwai, Applications Engineer - Hamamatsu Corporation
Nine Dots Connects is a unique collection of Altium User Experts. They provide the rarest combination of electronic design theory & practice, printed circuit board design theory, and practice with the art & practice of efficiently teaching others. They have an understanding of the application of the Altium toolset that is second to none. After 35 years of private consulting, they are my "Go-To" place for all things Altium.
John Painter - Lead Engineer, CyberESI
Thanks for an awesome private training on PCB layout this week. I learned a ton. Now that I'm back, I think I have to pretty much trash a layout that I was working on. I basically designed an un-buildable board. It's not ALL bad, though. I am happy with my component placement, and I have a pretty good sense of how routing has to flow for the design.
Mike Frank, Sr. Electrical Engineer
Nine Dot Connects performed training for 5 people for three days at our facility, and it was absolutely worth it. By the end of the third day, all persons under training could take a design from a sketch to a PCB layout. The training was absolutely worth every penny, and the instructor’s industry knowledge and expertise in PCB design was the key to this success.
Scot Shermer, Senior Engineer - GE Oil & Gas
We had three days of some of the best training I can remember in my career. The instructor handled all questions, maintained a formidable pace that covered many territories, and ensured no one got left behind. I have received several positive comments from the attendees. Things like "I wish I had had this training 3 years ago!" or "I've spent days trying to figure this out, and it can be done in just a few clicks!" All in all, it was a very valuable experience.
Jeffrey Milsap, P.E. - Medical Device Electrical Engineer, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
The instructor explained the subject very well. His pace was smooth even when stopping to discuss historical PCB issues shared among the students. When it came to preventing PCB respins, he hit all the marks - make sure to have requirements and specifications nailed down. Seeing the actual PCB manufacturing process was golden. I was very happy to learn about PCB fabrication advancements - why so many layers, backdrilling, via in pad, microvias. Thank you, Roy, and Nine Dot Connects for a great experience.
Jason Zeman - Electronics Engineer, PdMA Corporation
The PCB Fundamentals class was great for me as an experienced EE but without PCB design & fabrication experience. I would recommend the class to anyone interested in learning more about how PCBs are made and the process for getting [that circuit] onto a PCB. Do not be intimidated by the technology; the instructor and this class will educate you no matter your current familiarity with PCB design.
G. Brandon Jordan - Altria Client Services, Staff Engineer
The combination of a structured training course and flexible coaching hours for diving into detail questions has greatly increased the value we extract from Altium Designer. Nine Dot Connects gives us the experience of having an in-house Altium expert to bounce questions off, but at a much lower cost than trying to hire someone with this experience.
Colin O'Flynn - CTO, NewAE Technology Inc.
Taking a design from start to end in the proper order. I took this course from (another provider) a couple of years ago. (it was) taught out of sequence - didn't get around to talking about library parts until day 3 - a complete waste of time. Your course was far more valuable.
Ken Gott - Development Engineer, Sciton Inc.
Nine Dot Connects' instructor was outstanding. Deep understanding of and experience with the material and ability to tailor the course to the class's skill level made it an enjoyable 3 days. The course material flow was logical and easy to follow, building on the lessons and days before.
Michael Rodzinski - Mechanical Test Systems Engineer, Tesla Motors, Inc.
Nine Dot Connects' trainer is the best software instructor that I have seen in my 30-year engineering career. I have never seen an instructor familiar with every feature of such a complex software product like Altium Designer. His extensive experience in using the software for numerous PCB designs allows him to impart extremely practical knowledge about the trainees' pitfalls while using the software. There was no question that Dan could not answer. Outstanding course!
John Tarmas - Electronics Engineer, Department of the Navy
Nine Dot Connects' instructor provided an onsite 3-day Altium class in Jacksonville from 9/6 to 9/8. He did an excellent job. I have not had such a good training class in a long time. Before he finished the PCB routing section, I had to leave, so I did not get to say thanks for a job well done.
Robert Loe, Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE)
I've attended the Nine Dot Connects webinars and training covering PCB Fundamentals, High-Speed Design, DFM, and Altium Library Management. All have proven to be useful and informative and well worth the time spent.
William Letendre - EE, Airmar Technology Corp.
