Manufacturing Execution
Plex MES from Rockwell Automation
OCTOBER 2022
Table of Contents
2 How to Use This Report
3 Market and Product Overview
6 Customer Satisfaction With Core Capabilities
9 Customer Satisfaction With Product Features
11 The Emotional Footprint Evaluation
17 Why Users Recommend This Product
18 About the Report
How to Use This Report
SoftwareReviews captures the most compelling, useful, and detailed information on software performance to help evaluate, compare, and ultimately select the best tool for your business. Our proprietary evaluation methodology is built on decades of experience helping businesses select software. We surface key elements every prospective buyer should review and understand prior to selecting a software provider, going much deeper than features and price to provide a detailed understanding of the relationship, negotiations, and value drivers of the solution. This report is an evaluation of Plex MES from Rockwell Automation created entirely using data sourced from users of the software. Use this report to help inform your selection decision, inform your evaluation, or reinforce your choice to bring on a new software product and technology partner.
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Understanding the Market
What Is Manufacturing Execution
A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is a system that targets connecting and monitoring the different manufacturing processes and data flow on the shop floor. As an overarching goal, the goal is to monitor effective execution of the different stages of manufacturing by connecting through a series of inputs/outputs the different systems involved in the process.
Understanding the Product
About Plex Systems, Inc., a Rockwell Automation Company
Plex Systems, Inc., a Rockwell Automation company, is the leader in cloud-delivered smart manufacturing solutions, empowering the world’s manufacturers to make awesome products. Our platform gives manufacturers the ability to connect, automate, track, and analyze every aspect of their business to drive transformation. The Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform includes solutions for manufacturing execution (MES), ERP, quality, supply chain planning and management, Industrial IoT, and analytics to connect people, systems, machines, and supply chains, enabling them to lead with precision, efficiency, and agility.
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We asked real users
what they thought about
using Plex MES from Rockwell Automation and
the value they received
Here's what they had to say:
100% OF CUSTOMERS SAY THEY LOVE USING PLEX MES FROM ROCKWELL
AUTOMATION
100% SAY PLEX MES FROM ROCKWELL AUTOMATION IS CRITICAL TO THEIR SUCCESS
88% ARE LIKELY TO RECOMMEND THE PRODUCT
100% ARE PLANNING TO RENEW THEIR LICENSE
82% FEEL THE VALUE OF THE PRODUCT OUTWEIGHS THE PRODUCT COST
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The best software providers
will have a strong
product tied to immediate value
SoftwareReviews developed a list of the top 11 software capabilities any customer should look for when evaluating a software solution. These capabilities represent table-stakes expectations for any software provider and help define products that are easy to implement and operate and that drive value to the organization.
We asked Plex MES from Rockwell Automation customers to help us better understand what they thought about their capabilities as a software provider. Here's a summary of what they had to say:
Business Value Created
The underlying purpose of software is to create value for employees, customers, partners, and ultimately shareholders. As a result, it is imperative that any software selection be aligned with the organization's needs and deliver enough business value to justify the cost. Users of Plex MES from Rockwell Automation reported satisfaction scores of 83% when evaluating the business value provided to their organization.
83%
BUSINESS VALUE CREATED
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Features are the gateway to driving customer satisfaction
Users want feature-rich software that enables them to perform a diverse series of tasks as opposed to one they find restrictive. Feature quality is just as important as quantity. Software needs to do what you're purchasing it to do, easily, intuitively, reliably, and effectively. And finally, purchasing software can be a significant commitment, so it's important to know if your vendor is serious about the need for constant improvement and deliberate strategic direction.
Breadth of Features
DEGREE OF SATISFACTION
77%
Quality of Features
DEGREE OF SATISFACTION
78%
Plex MES from Rockwell Automation User Satisfaction Across General Features and Functionality.
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Satisfaction starts with a
successful implementation
Choosing the right software is only the first step. Successfully implementing the new solution is necessary to realize its full value and promote end-user adoption. Typically, out-of-the-box functionality isn't enough, especially for niche or industry-specific software, and the reason you're buying rather than building is to save time and money in the first place. The ability to integrate with other systems is increasingly important; without this, manual data loading and extraction can be time-consuming and prone to error.
Ease of
Implementation
DEGREE OF SATISFACTION
82%
Ease of Data
Integration
DEGREE OF SATISFACTION
77%
Ease of
Customization
DEGREE OF SATISFACTION
73%
Plex MES from Rockwell Automation User Satisfaction Across Product Implementation.
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Usability and support are drivers of ROI
End-user learning curves cost the organization money, and a tool should eliminate barriers to drive user adoption. Effective and readily available training enables users to get the most out of their software. Issues are inevitable, and vendor support will be key to reducing downtime and troubleshooting problems if they arise. Administrative interfaces don't typically get the same attention as those built for end users, but they shouldn't be clunky or unintuitive to support management of the tool.
Availability & Quality of Training
DEGREE OF SATISFACTION
70%
Ease of IT Administration
DEGREE OF SATISFACTION
88%
Ease of Use
DEGREE OF SATISFACTION
87%
Plex MES from Rockwell Automation User Satisfaction Across Ease of Use and Management.
Data as of October 14, 2020 Built for Plex Systems by Software Reviews
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Compare satisfaction across top features needed to meet your goals
SoftwareReviews collected this satisfaction data from real customers who have used Plex MES from Rockwell Automation. Here's how they rated core features:
Product Feature Satisfaction
Analytics and Reporting Asset Management Document Management ERP Integration Machine Data Collection Production Control Execution Quality Control Visual Dashboard Capabilities
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
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Identify your best partner using the
Emotional Footprint
Satisfaction with your software vendor is more than strong features at a good price. Your relationship with your vendor will have a significant impact on both your short- and long-term satisfaction with the platform.
The Emotional Footprint aims to quantify the value of the relationship by measuring aspects of the provider not typically quantified by RFPs and POCs: which vendors are most reliable, which are trustworthy, and which continue to innovate. Research shows these aspects are more important to satisfaction than cost or functionality.
Within the Emotional Footprint review, we aggregate customer ratings across 25 elements in the areas of Vendor Strategy and Innovation, Service Experience, Product Experience, Negotiation, and Conflict Resolution. This creates a detailed indicator of overall user sentiment toward the vendor and its product.
How We Measure Emotions
The Emotional Footprint is determined using a standard Net Promoter methodology (see right). To assess the Emotional Footprint score of Plex MES from Rockwell Automation, users were asked to evaluate 25 individual emotional sentiments directly correlated to five Emotional Footprint areas.
The Net Promoter Score calculates the difference between the percentage of active promoters of Plex MES from Rockwell Automation and the percentage delivering negative responses.
Emotional Spectrum Scale
- % =
%
POSITIVE NEGATIVE NET EMOTIONAL FOOTPRINT NEGATIVE NEUTRAL POSITIVE
-4 -3 -2 -1 +1 +2 +3 +4
Users Gave Plex MES from Rockwell Automation an Overall Net Emotional Footprint Score of
+72
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Dated as of October 14, 202, Built for Plex Systems by Software Reviews
using the
The Emotional Footprint assesses five key areas to evaluate the vendor relationship
1 Strategy and
Innovation
Your organization and market are constantly changing, and your software partners need to change with them. Relationships are built on your software partner's ability not only to react but also to proactively innovate against your needs.
2 Service
Experience
Software is no longer just about a tool; it is also about the people who support it. Many people will interact with the software provider, and these interactions will play a key role in building a long-term partnership.
3 Product
Experience
When you purchase a product, you are sold on its ability to improve your capabilities, improve processes, and be reliable. An important part of creating an emotional connection is its ability to keep these product promises.
4 Negotiation and
Contract
Experience
During a sales experience, your first true look into your software partner is during the negotiation and contracting phase. This helps establish the baseline of the nature of the organization you'll be working with.
5 Conflict
Resolution
It's inevitable that in the course of your partnership, conflicts and issues will arise. In the face of challenges, will your software provider jump in the foxhole to help solve your problem or leave you to it?
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Plex MES from Rockwell Automation Word Cloud
The SoftwareReviews Word Cloud aggregates the most commonly experienced sentiments held by Plex MES from Rockwell Automation users based on the data collected within the Emotional Footprint. At a glance, it helps evaluate the vendor-client relationship and product effectiveness. Word size is driven by the strength of the sentiment. Word color is driven by the number of reviews that share the sentiment.
Weak Strong
NEGATIVE NEUTRAL POSITIVE
FRIENDLY NEGOTIATION INCLUDES PRODUCT ENHANCEMENTS FAIR CRITICAL LOVE SECURITY PROTECTS TRANSPARENT INSPIRING OVER PROMISED EFFICIENT SAVES TIME CLIENT'S INTEREST FIRST GENEROSITY CONTINUALLY IMPROVING INTEGRITY CLIENT FRIENDLY POLICIES TRUSTWORTHY HELPS INNOVATE UNIQUE FEATURES CARING ENABLES PRODUCTIVITY PERFORMANCE ENHANCING APPRECIATES INCUMBENT STATUS RESPECTFUL EFFECTIVE
ALTRUISTIC RELIABLE RESPECTFUL LOVE
Additional data about each of the emotional sentiments can be found on the following pages.
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Plex MES from Rockwell Automation
Strategy and Innovation Experience
Your software provider's attitude toward innovation is important; if they aren't at least keeping pace with market directions and trends, they certainly won't be enabling you to get ahead. Use the data in this section to determine whether users felt Plex MES from Rockwell Automation appreciates the need to innovate.
Plex Average Score
+71
-100
+100
LEVERAGES INCUMBENT STATUS
APPRECIATES INCUMBENT STATUS
-100
+100
STAGNANT
CONTINUALLY IMPROVING
-100
+100
ROADBLOCK TO INNOVATION
HELPS INNOVATE
-100
+100
CHARGES FOR PRODUCT ENHANCEMENTS
INCLUDES PRODUCT ENHANCEMENTS
-100
+100
DESPISED
INSPIRING
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Plex MES from Rockwell Automation
Service Experience
Good service matters. The last thing you need is to be disrespected by your software provider or to get bogged down by their ineptitude or neglect. This section displays data related to quality and effectiveness of service, so you can know whether you'll be treated well before and after you've made the purchase. Use this data to determine how users reported their service experience with Plex Systems.
Plex Average Score
+68
-100 +100
NEGLECTFULCARING
-100 +100
FRUSTRATINGEFFECTIVE
-100 +100
BUREAUCRATICEFFICIENT
-100 +100
DISRESPECTFULRESPECTFUL
-100 +100
WASTES TIMESAVES TIME
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Plex MES from Rockwell Automation
Product Experience
Software needs to reliably enable your performance and productivity. This can be the difference between a product propelling your organization forward or being dead weight that you'll need to carry. Use this to data to determine how users reported their product experience with Plex Systems.
Plex Average Score
+88
-100 +100
RESTRICTS PRODUCTIVITY ENABLES PRODUCTIVITY
-100 +100
PERFORMANCE RESTRICTING PERFORMANCE ENHANCING
-100 +100
UNRELIABLE RELIABLE
-100 +100
SECURITY FRUSTRATES SECURITY PROTECTS
-100 +100
COMMODITY FEATURES UNIQUE FEATURES
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Plex MES from Rockwell Automation
Conflict Resolution Experience
Disagreements are inevitable, but knowing your software provider will handle them reasonably, fairly, and amiably can give you peace of mind. Use the data in this section to understand how users of Plex MES from Rockwell Automation felt when conflict arose and how Plex Systems acted in response.
Plex Average Score
+68
-100 +100
SELFISH ALTRUISTIC
-100 +100
VENDOR FRIENDLY POLICIES CLIENT FRIENDLY POLICIES
-100 +100
UNFAIR FAIR
-100 +100
LACK OF INTEGRITY INTEGRITY
-100 +100
BIG FAT LIARS TRUSTWORTHY
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Why Users Recommend
Plex MES from Rockwell
Automation
SoftwareReviews asks users why they recommend the platform. Here are direct quotes from users of Plex MES from Rockwell Automation.
"You won't regret your investment. Get connected with the User Groups and the Plex Community"
Janice D
Business Leader or Manager Information Technology
"My most important recommendation would be to partner with a strong implementation team. This is critical to your success. Find someone that you know that you can work with, that will challenge you to move forward with the system and processes that are more forward looking rather than trying to retrofit an old process based on the limitations of your previous system. Form a partnership with your customer success team and regularly engage with your Plex partner to ensure you are cared for as a long term partner."
Victoria B
Business Leader or Manager Information Technology
"As with any ERP implementation, have a clear internal product ownership team and executive support. The Plex implementation team is fantastic and makes the entire process easy to understand."
Michael L
Business Leader or Manager C Level
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About the Data
SoftwareReviews collects in-depth quantitative and qualitative feedback data directly from verified end users about their experience with top enterprise software providers. Its proprietary online survey platform gathers more than 130 data points on each product, allowing end users to thoroughly evaluate their experiences using the software, from selection through purchase and service.
Every review is meticulously checked through a robust quality assurance process to ensure it is submitted by a real person with valid credentials for using the software. End-user experience and sentiment measures revealing product feature fit, perceived capabilities, business value drivers, and the quality of the provider relationship are accessible at both a high-level roll-up and a more detailed drill-down.
Software reports are available to download at SoftwareReviews.com/categories
About SoftwareReviews
With practical advisory services and a data-driven approach, SoftwareReviews’ mission is to improve the B2B software experience for all software buyers and providers.
SoftwareReviews’ pragmatic tools and detailed customer insights help software buyers maximize success with their technology decisions. SoftwareReviews collects the most in-depth customer review data from both business and IT professionals to shorten the time to decision and action for software purchasers and improve overall buyer satisfaction.
Combining deep buyer knowledge and experience, SoftwareReviews’ go-to-market practice helps technology providers better understand customer needs and accelerates planning and execution of go-to-market and product strategy.
SoftwareReviews is a division of Info-Tech Research Group, a world-class technology research and advisory firm with over two decades of research-based IT advice and technology implementation.
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