Latest Product Highlights for July 2025: MES Edition
In the fast-paced world of food and beverage manufacturing, efficiency and agility are key to staying competitive. Rockwell Automation's Augmentable Plex Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is designed to meet these demands, offering a modular and scalable solution tailored for the unique shop floor processes of the industry.
This cloud-native solution, equipped with multi-layered cybersecurity, is designed for scalability and secure multi-plant deployment. One of its standout features is the optimized batch scheduling, which allows for efficient production line management across multiple lines with varying capacities. This scheduling feature can automatically schedule preparation operations linked to batch sizes, enhancing operational efficiency in batch processes typical in food and beverage manufacturing.
The modularity of the Augmentable Plex MES allows manufacturers to customize the solution for their specific operational needs. It offers a range of expansions, including production automation, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) tracking, quality compliance, productivity management, scheduling, receiving, warehouse/inventory management, and shipping.
Real-time operational visibility is another key benefit, with the system providing live views of manufacturing processes via sensor inputs, PLC events, and error codes. This data consolidation from different sources offers a contextualized understanding of machine performance and failure impact, supporting predictive maintenance through historical data storage and trend analytics. The platform includes built-in analytics with configurable rules to monitor machine health and alert manufacturers proactively about potential failures.
The integration of MES with ERP, quality, asset performance management, and production monitoring in the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform™ enables food and beverage manufacturers to connect people, systems, and machines for improved precision, efficiency, and agility. This comprehensive integration supports end-to-end process orchestration, collectively enabling manufacturers to improve production efficiency, compliance, flexibility, and responsiveness in a highly dynamic sector.
In summary, the key additional benefits of Rockwell Automation's Augmentable Plex MES for food and beverage manufacturers are:
- A modular and scalable architecture tailored for food and beverage shop floor operations
- Cloud-native with robust cybersecurity for multi-plant use
- Enhanced batch scheduling optimizing production line capacities
- Real-time operational visibility and contextual traceability
- Built-in predictive analytics for maintenance and machine health monitoring
- Comprehensive integration with broader manufacturing systems for end-to-end process orchestration
These features collectively empower manufacturers to thrive in the ever-evolving food and beverage industry.
The modular and scalable architecture of Rockwell Automation's Augmentable Plex MES allows it to adapt to the unique needs of the food and beverage industry, offering expansions in areas such as production automation, finance management, and technology integration. This multi-layered solution enhances a company's ability to make crucial financial decisions by providing real-time data on machine performance and maintenance needs.
With its built-in analytics and predictive maintenance features, Rockwell Automation's Augmentable Plex MES not only increases operational efficiency but also improves a company's standing in the financial sector by reducing downtime and maintenance costs, and increasing production output. This integration of technology within the food and beverage industry thus offers a competitive advantage for businesses striving for success.
