Plex Systems Launches Plex Connect: Integrating the Manufacturing Cloud

Plex, a leader in cloud ERP for manufacturing, today announced Plex Connect, a new open integration framework that will make it easier for manufacturers to connect people, things and applications to the Plex Manufacturing Cloud.

NASHVILLE, TN, June 30, 2015 – Plex, a leader in cloud ERP for manufacturing, today announced Plex Connect, a new open integration framework that will make it easier for manufacturers to connect people, things and applications to the Plex Manufacturing Cloud. Plex is a long-standing leader in cloud integration: today more than 50 percent of transactions on the Plex Manufacturing Cloud originate from other systems and machines, typically from factory equipment as well as supplier and customer systems.

Plex Connect: Secure, Easy-to-use APIs for the Manufacturing Cloud

Building on proven integration capabilities that include industry standards such as SOAP, ODBC and EDI, Plex is introducing a new REST/JSON API. The new API makes it easy to connect any cloud service or legacy, on-premise applications to Plex while maintaining role-based security and a single source of truth for the manufacturing enterprise.

• Plex is delivering a new developer portal and toolkit including templates, documentation and code samples to support the new API.
• The Plex Connect API and toolkit are designed to make it easy for manufacturers to connect applications, as well as manufacturing equipment and other devices to the Manufacturing Cloud.

Plex Connect Partners

Plex also announced its Plex Connect Partner Program for ISVs, delivering packaged and supported integrations with key business partners. These connectors will be built by Plex and ISV partners and supported in the Plex Manufacturing Cloud.

• Workday: Plex announced a partnership with Workday and plans to deliver a packaged connector linking Plex with Workday for large enterprise companies.  Workday will serve as the core system for HR processes, including recruiting, onboarding, talent management, benefits management and payroll for manufacturing firms, and manage consolidations of plant activities for regulatory reporting and financial statements. The Workday connector is expected to be available by the first half of 2016.
• DemandCaster:  Customers can now extend Plex manufacturing operations management capabilities with DemandCaster's Master Production Planning and Scheduling. Manufacturers can view forecasts and customer orders through item bills of material (BOM's) in addition to capacity planning and scheduling.
• Adaptive Insights: Building on a long-standing partnership for financial planning and budgeting, Plex and Adaptive Insights will now deliver packaged integration for consolidations as well as statutory and management reporting for smaller enterprises.

Unless otherwise noted, all new capabilities are scheduled for the second-half of 2015.

Comments on the News

"Plex is the system of record for manufacturing organizations, operating as the central hub for all kinds of transactions and data," said Jerry Foster, chief technology officer for Plex. "Plex has always been about connecting and unifying manufacturing, starting at the shop floor with people and machines and extending to partners, suppliers and customers. These new APIs and partnerships reflect Plex's strategic investment in technology and solutions to power the global manufacturing enterprise now and in the future."

"Manufacturing enterprises operate in a highly sophisticated and connected marketplace, whether that means using EDI for just-in-time delivery of parts and products, or running plants, servicing customers and employing people around the world," said Karl Ederle, group vice president, product management for Plex. "As the system of record for manufacturing organizations, Plex is as much a network of solutions as it is ERP, so we will always consider and invest in connectivity as a core competency."