Smart Manufacturing Blog

Welcome to your source for all things smart manufacturing. Whether you’re looking for expert insights, hard data, or actionable tips for your plant floor, we’ve got you covered every week of the year.

Announcement
7th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing

Now Available!

Get your copy of the 7th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing and hear from 300+ manufacturers in this new survey report!

Proof Positive: Modern Manufacturing Strategies Should Include Cloud ERP

Plex Team January 17, 2017

Modern manufacturing is too complex for manual processes, and relying on disparate systems to run your business drains precious time. In fact, thirty-eight percent of manufacturers say they face serious delays in decision making because of lack of timely information.1...

Read More

Data Silos: Why They’re Bad for Your Manufacturing Business

Plex Team January 9, 2017

If you have a hard time getting accurate information about how your business is operating and performing, you’re not alone. Most manufacturers we talk to who are running legacy ERP systems say that the inability to share or access data prevents them from gaining the visibility and control they need....

Read More

Top New Year’s Resolution for Manufacturers in 2017

Plex Team January 4, 2017

No doubt you’ve got a list of goals and objectives for your manufacturing business this year. What’s on your list? Delivering on time every time, moving the needle on lean initiatives, or maybe improving data accuracy? One thing is for sure: 2017 is the year to swap your legacy ERP system for native cloud ERP....

Read More

Advanced Manufacturing Technology: Why You Might Be Farther Ahead Than You Think

Jerry Foster December 21, 2016

Technological capabilities are advancing exponentially, and business leaders everywhere are asking the question, “How do I take advantage of all these new capabilities without losing focus on my core business?” Manufacturers are no exception. ...

Read More

How to Solve the Manufacturing Talent Gap: Unlock People Potential with Cloud ERP

Plex Team December 19, 2016

As a manufacturer, you face some tough hiring challenges. A 2016 report from IDG states that nearly one-third of those surveyed list the lack of skilled workers as a major obstacle to growth, one which must be addressed to grow effectively....

Read More

3 Ways Technology Enhances Modern Manufacturing Operations

Plex Team December 12, 2016

Manufacturers wrestle with a challenging environment—global economic uncertainty, political pressure on trade, and the need to properly time investments for the future. Driving efficiency, productivity, and higher quality remain top of mind objectives, and manufacturers remain vigilant evaluating the tools, processes, and technologies to help meet these goals....

Read More

How to Build a Solid Business Case for a Quality Maturity Program

Plex Team October 18, 2016

“Quality is Job One” was the mantra Ford put forth in the memorable 1980s advertising campaign, and improving quality still ranks number one on executive agendas at many manufacturing companies in nearly every industry. Delivering high quality products to the market is no longer a differentiator—it’s an imperative....

Read More

Two Reasons Manufacturers Should Consider SaaS and Cloud ERP

Plex Team September 20, 2016

Two Key Takeaways from the Forrester SaaS Report Forrester recently published a report highlighting six breakout SaaS vendors and the unique benefits delivered by SaaS solutions. The vendors that Forrester included in its May 2016 report, entitled Breakout Vendors: SaaS Business Applications, all had a track record of customer wins and fast growth, a strong ecosystem of partners and investors —…

Read More

How Manufacturers Thrive in an Uncertain Economy

Plex Team September 14, 2016

How do you handle uncertain times? One strategy is to hunker down and “weather the storm.” For manufacturers, this often means limiting technology investments until the chaos subsides, then attempting to time technology improvements during high-growth periods....

Read More

Cloud ERP Technology Transforms IT Teams

Cindy Jutras September 6, 2016

What happens to IT staff in the move to cloud ERP? For many years now Mint Jutras has been asking survey participants in its annual Enterprise Solution Study what they find appealing about software as a service (SaaS). We give them quite an extensive list of potential benefits and allow them to select as many as they would like....

Read More