Smart Manufacturing Blog

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Manufacturing Execution System (MES)

Plex Manufacturing Blog

Workforce, Quality, and Technology: Old Struggles, New Angles

Gerry Abbey February 9, 2023

The Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) hosted the Metal Stamping Technology Conference recently in Nashville, Tennessee. A dynamic, thoughtful, and somewhat frustrated group gathered to talk through the state of manufacturing, the biggest challenges, and how we can begin to address those challenges with technology after we’ve started taking care of people and processes first....

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The Right MES Is Out There: Industry Experts Make Their Picks

Gerry Abbey December 19, 2022

An MES, or manufacturing execution system, is an essential manufacturing tool for business resiliency in the face of disruption. The pandemic, geopolitical uncertainty, cybersecurity risks, and supply chain uncertainty are just a few of the major risks impacting manufacturers and driving more companies to digitize their business than ever before....

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Quality Management in an Age of Disruptive Supply Chains

Plex Team December 14, 2022

Once upon a time, it was easier. For decades, supply chains stabilized globally, allowing companies to source components confidently and manage their supply chain plans with Lean methodology. And while supply chain complexity increased during this time, the ability to span the globe and know their materials would arrive on time....

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Manufacturing Execution Systems: How MES KPIs Inform and Predict

Plex Team November 9, 2022

Global manufacturing is increasing in complexity as new challenges arise, customer expectations change, and best practices evolve. This complexity makes it more challenging than ever to manage a production floor effectively. With traditional manual tracking, this process is inefficient and costly. Today, most companies turn to technology in the form of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to…

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The Shift to Electric Vehicles and Its Impact on Automotive Suppliers

Bernard Cohen September 21, 2022

The inevitable shift to electric vehicles is here and its impact on automotive suppliers will be drastic. OEMs are making major commitments to reduce their carbon footprint and eliminate their internal combustion engine (ICE) fleets. General Motors, for example, has made a commitment to be completely carbon neutral in their global products and operations by 2040 and eliminate tailpipe emissions…

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Why Manufacturers Should Consider Cloud-Based MES Solutions

Plex Team April 20, 2022

Everything you do is focused on the shop floor. A manufacturing execution system (MES) provides the foundation for operations to schedule, manage, and track each step during production....

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Preview the Forrester Consulting Total Economic Impact™ Study

Plex Team August 30, 2021

Cost savings and business benefits enabled by the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform in a study commissioned by Plex...

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Unpacking the Forrester Consulting TEI™ Study: What Does 412% ROI Really Mean?

Plex Team July 7, 2021

Picture any tool at your disposal, whether it’s a machine on your shop floor or the phone in your pocket. How much is that tool worth to you? It’s hard to put a value on solutions that can have a wide impact on your operations. It’s also hard to find an objective opinion. We know that the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform can transform your business, but why should you believe us? And why should…

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What Is An Additive Manufacturing Execution System?

Plex Team June 10, 2021

Additive manufacturing (AM) is the industrial production name for 3D printing. Using computer aided design (CAD) or 3D object scanners, additive manufacturing allows for the creation of three-dimensional objects by depositing materials, usually in layers. As production continues to grow and additive manufacturing industrializes, manufacturers require effective strategies to help them manage their…

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What You Should Know about the Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP): Up to $100k in Tech and Training Grants

Alena Barreca September 3, 2020

Automotive manufacturers in Ontario, Canada can now receive funding support when they introduce new lean manufacturing or technology to their businesses through the recently opened Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP). Funding via the program is to help modernize Ontario’s automotive supply chain and make it more competitive against national and international markets....

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