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.

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Plex Manufacturing Blog

For Plex Customers, the Future of Manufacturing is Now

Jane Clabby May 16, 2017

At this year’s PowerPlex 2017, participants were abuzz with ideas about where new technologies and emerging market trends will take them. I attended keynotes and break-out sessions and had the opportunity to talk one-on-one with individuals who “make things.” In doing so, I identified several common themes that provide insight into where manufacturing is headed and how customers will get there....

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2017 Plex Impact Award Winners: Manufacturing Pioneers

Kaitlin Rebella May 10, 2017

Plex loves its customers. All of us at Plex are passionate about their work, and we’re eager to see how each of them are shaping the future of manufacturing in their own innovative way. That’s why choosing the Plex Impact Award winners, which annually recognizes industry leaders, innovators, and transformers, is an exciting process for the Plex team....

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Plex Supports mikeroweWORKS Foundation and America’s Hardest Workers

Kaitlin Rebella May 10, 2017

If you follow Executive Producer and TV Host Mike Rowe on Facebook or listen to his podcast, The Way I Heard It, you’ll be treated to stories about America’s skilled trade workers and how they’re making a difference. These stories inspire all of us at Plex who are privileged to support the manufacturing community....

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5 Warning Signs That It’s Time to Consider Cloud ERP for Your Manufacturing Business

Dave Morfas May 5, 2017

We’ve compiled this list of warning signs many of our customers identified before moving to manufacturing ERP in the cloud. You know your systems are floundering when:...

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Shop Floor Data Means More Business Insight for Hatch Stamping

Kaitlin Rebella May 2, 2017

For many manufacturers, finding a way to improve reliability, extend reach, and minimize time to value feels like the old adage “cheap, fast, or good: pick two.” In many scenarios, that’s the reality—but not all....

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Why the Cloud Is Key to Smart Manufacturing

Dave Morfas April 28, 2017

If you’re still relying on manual processes or disconnected legacy systems to run your business, you’ll be spending too much time and effort to gain the visibility you need to remain competitive. SaaS-based cloud ERP is now a strategic choice for manufacturers who want to take advantage of the connectivity and scalability to improve their business. ...

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Before and After: Lean Manufacturing with Better Operational Control

Stu Johnson April 25, 2017

Are your lean efforts focused on delivering a few key results or do you have total operational control to enable continuous improvement? A true commitment to lean manufacturing can result in bottom line improvements throughout your company, not just in production....

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Cut Your Manufacturing Costs with Cloud ERP

Dave Morfas March 31, 2017

Manufacturers who have embraced SaaS cloud ERP view this model as central to their ability to compete.1 And for good reason. The cost benefits make cloud ERP a compelling strategy—even to those who still believe they are better off “owning” the software. Below are examples of manufacturers who have lowered costs with cloud ERP:...

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3 Important Ways Cloud ERP Helps You Improve Supply Chain Performance

Hemant Makhija March 17, 2017

Market dynamics force you to meet delivery and cost targets while collaborating more closely than ever before. Without visibility of your supply chain, it’s difficult to drive down the cost of operations and reduce your time-to-market. Manufacturing cloud ERP with supply chain planning (SCP) and management gives you greater visibility, agility, and collaboration since your supply chain operations…

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Small to Mid-Sized Manufacturers: It’s Time to Take Advantage of the IIoT Opportunity

Dave Morfas March 15, 2017

Manufacturers across all industries are investing in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)-enabled devices and according to TATA Consultancy, they’re already reaping benefits: an average of 28.5 percent increase in revenues between 2013 and 2014.1 IIoT is not just for the big manufacturing enterprises. Yes, the big companies often have more infrastructure and legacy system dependency than you…

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