Plex Systems, a provider of cloud enterprise resource planning and manufacturing execution system software for manufacturing, has released Plex Mobile, a new, native mobile app which the company says is “purpose-built to address the needs of manufacturing professionals”.
The app works as a seamless extension of the Plex Manufacturing Cloud, enabling a manufacturer’s workforce to handle key business-critical shop floor and administrative responsibilities, and access and share relevant information real-time from mobile devices.
Plex Mobile will be available for download through the Apple Store, Google Play and Windows Marketplace in July 2018.
The Plex Manufacturing Cloud is said to have pioneered manufacturing shop floor and worker connectivity, including support for a wide range of hand scanners and ruggedized commercial endpoint devices.
Plex also leads the industry, working closely with customers to support wearable devices on the shop floor.
The new Plex Mobile app extends those capabilities, with native applications designed for today’s phones and tablets to support a broad range of workforce roles while increasing the value to cost ratio of mobile endpoints.
Plex Mobile is designed for an industrial environment, with simple, role-based menus and functionality made to support specific operators and responsibilities.
Plex Mobile’s applications support the complete, end-to-end requirements of specific roles, jobs, and tasks within a manufacturing operation.
This approach improves workforce efficiency and the accuracy of data capture, while eliminating gaps in the manufacturing process for improved traceability.
Initial app functionality includes:
- Shipping and Receiving, including customer shipping, finalize by container, finalize by shipper, and interplant shipping and receiving;
- Inventory Management, including cycle count; manage container, location, master unity and move; and search part location;
- Human Capital Management, including workflow management, employee contact and support; and
- Production Management, including load and unload work center and record production.
The app uses native mobile device capabilities, including camera and audio, to streamline and automate data capture, such as barcode scanning.
Plex Mobile also takes advantage of next-generation wearables and sensors to create a seamless, hands-free environment for users.
The new apps leverage Plex’s role-based security, with data access and functionality tailored to each user’s responsibilities.
Plex plans to deliver monthly updates to Plex Mobile following the initial release, expanding the breadth of application functionality and connectivity.
Hollie Tanner, senior user experience designer, Plex Systems, says: “With Plex Mobile, we went out onto the shop floor in direct collaboration with the workers getting things done, leveraging that experience to inform every element of the app, from functional priorities to process flow and icon design.
“We purpose-built the new applications and functionality to be the only solution an operator needs from the start to the end of their shift.”
Richard Murray, chief product officer, Plex Systems, says: “Connected people are the cornerstone of connected manufacturing, enabling people with the information they need and the ability to act on it from the shop floor across the global enterprise.
“The power, connectivity and affordability of new generation commodity mobile devices makes them an ideal platform for extending the Plex Manufacturing Cloud to new users, in new places, with new applications.”
