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Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
Manufacturing Execution Suite (MES) is a comprehensive manufacturing software solution that provides real-time, paperless production management to drive enterprise-wide compliance, quality, and efficiency.
Quality Management System (QMS)
Quality Management System (QMS) is a cloud-based digital quality solution for manufacturers that standardizes and automates quality documentation, processes, and measurements.
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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a full-featured, scalable, cloudbased ERP that automates front- and back-office processes.
Supply Chain Planning (SCP)
Supply Chain Planning (SCP) combines data from your Plex ERP and multiple departments across your business to sync up demand and supply planning to improve inventory accuracy and production management.
Connected Worker
Connected Worker empowers frontline manufacturing teams with real-time digital tools to improve productivity, reduce errors, and enhance collaboration. It connects your people, to purpose, people, productivity, and processes to drive continuous improvement and workforce agility on the shop floor.
Production Monitoring
Production Monitoring provides seamless connectivity to machines on the plant floor, delivering transparent, real-time operational KPIs and dashboards to drive continuous improvements.
MES Automation & Orchestration
MES Automation & Orchestration connects your Plex MES to the plant edge to control information flow, processes, and workcenter setup adding efficiency, saving costs, and eliminating manual errors.
Asset Performance Management (APM)
Asset Performance Management (APM) combines process, operational, and machine-level data through highly visual dashboards to proactively monitor machine and plant health to ensure optimal uptime, throughput, and maintenance needs.
Finite Scheduler
Finite Scheduler is an advanced production scheduling tool that helps manufacturers optimize resources, reduce bottlenecks, and improve on-time delivery. It enables dynamic, constraint-based scheduling to align operations with real-world capacity and demand
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Smart Manufacturing Platform Overview
Discover how our integrated platform connects, automates, tracks, and analyzes your operations.
Cloud Infrastructure & Security
Enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure with industry-leading security and compliance.
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Access critical manufacturing data and controls from anywhere with our mobile apps.
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Industry-leading uptime and performance with 99.5% availability guarantee.
Manufacturing Automation
Seamless integration with Rockwell Automation and other manufacturing systems.
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How Is Automation Changing the Manufacturing Sector?

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Automation in manufacturing is constantly evolving. Manufacturers all over the world are using automation to improve the efficiency of processes, reduce the complexity of managing modern supply chains, and combat the skilled worker shortage. In conjunction with adding levels of automation to streamline the business, manufacturers are turning to once-hyped technologies to accelerate process automation.

By 2026, it’s estimated that industrial automation will reach an investment level of $287.9 billion and its CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) will grow by 7.2%. Plex’s 7th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report uses data collected from 321 manufacturers to reinforce the fact that technology adoption continues to accelerate at an unprecedented rate and is being used to solve some of the industry’s most critical challenges. Here are some stats from the report:

  • 79% of organizations are prioritizing software that will automate processes
  • Smart manufacturing adoption accelerated by 50% during an extremely challenging period for manufacturers
  • 60% of all companies are now using either a fully integrated solution or have some components of smart manufacturing in adoption
  • 75% of organizations will have some components of smart manufacturing in adoption by the end of 2022

It’s clear that manufacturers are addressing their challenges by leveraging automation, innovation, technology, and their ability to use data to make decisions. With higher levels of automation, manufacturers will be able to keep up with industry expectations, and those who adapt will be best positioned for the future. The time for action is now.

Plex has been tracking the most pressing issues over much of the last decade. The skilled worker shortage, supply chain disruptions, and risk mitigation show up as key industry level growth obstacles every year, but the reasons for each are evolving. To solve for these problems and other dynamics yet unknown, technology – specifically smart manufacturing – is the key. Drivers like the increase in plant-level data, greater machine and human connectivity, the growth of Industrial IoT, and the practical use and affordability of once-hyped technologies are changing manufacturing and expanding human possibility.

Benchmark your technology usage and uncover best practices by downloading the Automation Edition of the 7th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report.

Topics: Smart Manufacturing Digital Transformation IIOT Industry 4.0

Mike Hart
Mike Hart
Director of Product Strategy, Manufacturing & Industrial IoT, Plex Systems
Mike Hart is Director of Product Strategy, Manufacturing & Industrial IoT at Plex Systems. In this role, he designs and builds cloud solutions exclusively for the manufacturing industry. Hart also leads IoT (Internet of Things) product innovation, helping global manufacturers leverage the latest connected technologies to achieve more efficient, agile and automated operations. Hart has nearly 20 years of experience in the cloud software industry.

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