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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Mobility Puts Power at Manufacturers’ Fingertips

Dave Morfas November 16, 2017

A recent industry study validated the importance of mobile devices in manufacturing, uncovering that 90% of manufacturers already use mobile phones, laptops and scanners, and an additional 30% plan…

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Manufacturers are Relying on Technology for More Responsive Supply Chains

Hemant Makhija October 5, 2017

Agility and speed are the hallmarks of today’s supply chains due to increased global connectivity and competition. No longer is it enough to focus on quality, costs, or efficiency to remain…

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Connected Manufacturers are Driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Kaitlin Rebella September 28, 2017

While some continue to herald the coming of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in manufacturing, many of today’s manufacturers are proving that it’s here already. Manufacturers are taking advantage of…

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Mobility in Manufacturing: Connecting the Enterprise

Dave Morfas September 25, 2017

Mobile ERP technology and modern manufacturing means you no longer have to be onsite to ensure that everything is running as planned. You have visibility and control from a smartphone, or any browser…

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The Two Forces of Change Pressuring Manufacturing Businesses Right Now

Dave Morfas September 21, 2017

It’s no secret that manufacturing is currently undergoing a massive disruption. Products used to be more standardized, demand signals more consistent and predictable, and the underlying supply chains…

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Plex Powers Fast Food Industry Giant Hausbeck Pickles

Kaitlin Rebella August 28, 2017

If you enjoy pickles or peppers on your fast food meals or pizza, you’ve probably had a Hausbeck. Located in the heart of Michigan, pickle and pepper manufacturer Hausbeck Pickle Company has grown…

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Plex Spoken Here: Are These Words in Your Plextionary?

Patti Nowak August 23, 2017

Plex Spoken Here: Are These Words in Your Plextionary? Have you ever had someone tell you that when you talk about your work, it’s like you’re speaking a different language? Here at Control+M…

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Digital Transformation in the Manufacturing Industry: Why Should You Care?

Plex Team August 8, 2017

The complexity and pace of customer demands have changed, which means you’ve likely had to evaluate if your manufacturing operations are keeping pace. Relying on manual processes and paper-based…

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Manufacturers: What You Need to Know About Cloudwashing

Dave Morfas July 21, 2017

If your company is looking for a new ERP system, you will likely discover the term “cloudwashing.” Our hope is that you discover it before you make a decision because you could be dealing with the…

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Food and Beverage Manufacturers: Are Your Business Processes and Tools Eating Up Your Revenue?

Plex Team July 11, 2017

Do you struggle to gather documentation when you need to show compliance to customer or industry reporting requirements? If so, you’re like many companies still using manual or paper-based quality…

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Wisco Employee Enjoys Fourth of July Thanks to Inventory Planning in the Cloud

Kaitlin Rebella June 30, 2017

Imagine one of the biggest U.S. holidays of the summer. Your family, friends, and coworkers have lots of activities planned including picnics, BBQs, games, swimming, and of course, fireworks.…

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What’s It Like at an Award-Winning Manufacturing Plant?

Dave Morfas June 27, 2017

We are proud of our customers. They are leading the manufacturing industry into the future and we’re not the only ones noticing how awesome they are. Many have won Excellence awards for doing what…

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Polamer Precision Makes Innovation Its Mission

Kaitlin Rebella June 13, 2017

nnovation has always been at the heart of manufacturing, propelling the industry and the economy forward. Polamer Precision, an aerospace manufacturer, demonstrates this idea from its state-of-the-…

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Digital Transformation: Manufacturers Need a Practical Approach—Not Hype

Dave Morfas June 2, 2017

Technologists love to learn, write, and prognosticate about new terminology, technology trends, and ideas that will impact the future. But as I once heard someone say, “innovation without practical…

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PowerPlex 2017 - Manufacturers Share Ideas, Discuss Skills Shortage and Give Back

Jane Clabby May 20, 2017

Skills Shortage In conversations with attendees at this year’s Plex conference, the industry-wide skills shortage was a common frustration. Many businesses are using Plex to automate processes that…

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PowerPlex 2017 - Innovation in Action

Jane Clabby May 17, 2017

As PowerPlex 2017 wraps up this week, I find myself reflecting on the many great conversations I had with smart, interesting people who are working on making things. I was surrounded by innovation —…

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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…

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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…

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Here’s How to Build Your Team of Plex Champions

Kristin van Duelman October 23, 2017

The Plex Manufacturing Cloud enables you to dramatically reduce the burden on your IT staff, infuse quality throughout production, and gain an incredible amount of visibility and control. It…

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Maximize Your Investment in the Plex Manufacturing Cloud with Continuous Improvement

Kristin van Duelman January 8, 2018

Once you’ve chosen, implemented, and worked with the Plex Manufacturing Cloud, you still aren’t “done” with it. Now it’s time to dig in and discover how to really maximize your investment. Just as…

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