Nukon to offer Plex platform, boosting digital manufacturing in Australia
This marks the first time the Plex platform will be sold and implemented in Australia by a partner outside Rockwell Automation, which previously handled all sales and deployment directly.
The Plex platform is a cloud-based solution aimed at enhancing manufacturing operations by eliminating information silos, digitising supply chains, automating processes, and enabling the tracking of manufacturing activities from any device and location. It also delivers real-time actionable data for business users.
Plex for improved efficiency
Nukon, part of SAGE Group, will now offer its clients access to the Plex platform, complementing the company's existing digital advisory and delivery services in manufacturing execution and supply chain projects.
Alec Konynenburg, Executive General Manager at Nukon, commented, "Nukon brings specialised digital advisory and delivery services to the manufacturing industry to help clients successfully implement Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and supply chain optimisation projects."
He also said, "By adding Plex to our customer offering, Nukon can continue to assist customers by bridging the gap between OT and IT, offering real-time data, and providing tools that help companies scale."
The platform is recognised for providing connected enterprise visibility, facilitating the monitoring of assets and plant-level performance. Its MES component is described as flexible and configurable, standardising operations across manufacturing environments and ensuring workflow consistency.
Plex is currently used across several industries globally, including manufacturing, energy, defence, water and wastewater – all areas where Nukon has experience.
Cloud-based modular platform "Plex is a cloud-based platform, that enables future-focussed manufacturers to achieve real-time integration, high levels of availability and flexibility, cybersecurity, and scalability," said Anthony Wong, Vice President, Enterprise Software Sales, Asia Pacific, Rockwell Automation.
Wong further noted, "Being cloud-based makes it easier to keep software like Plex updated. New functionality is regularly being added, and because it's a modular system, it doesn't take everything else offline to perform an update."
He highlighted the multi-functional nature of Plex: "In addition to performing the role of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, Plex also acts as a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), and Quality Management System (QMS) all in one, eliminating the need for separate software, and creating further efficiencies."
Collaboration and business visibility
The collaboration between Nukon and Rockwell Automation is expected to deliver improvements for businesses seeking greater clarity between operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) functions. The partnership aims to support both large and smaller manufacturers by enhancing business process automation and data tracking from the production floor to the executive level.
Konynenburg said, "Nukon bridge the gaps between the different silos within our client's businesses by working closely with automation and IT teams, to connect disparate silos. That collaborative process fosters clarity and leads to significant improvements throughout their businesses."
He added, "Plex automates business processes and tracks data from the plant floor right through to the executive level, providing visibility, quality, and control. It is a natural fit within Nukon's expertise and is highly applicable to small and medium sized manufacturers, not just the bigger players."
He also acknowledged challenges still faced by some customers: "We know some clients still struggle with spreadsheets and may have issues getting the right information for their quality processes. With Nukon and Plex coming together, our strengths combine to reduce the time taken to see benefits."
SAGE Group's position and background
Nukon is a subsidiary of SAGE Group, which has a longstanding presence in specialist industrial services. SAGE Automation, a sister company, was the first Australian Platinum System Integrator Partner within Rockwell's PartnerNetwork.
Wong commented, "SAGE has been part of Rockwell's PartnerNetwork for many years, and as a platinum partner, it has used digital engineering tools to deliver efficiencies to machine builders, system integrators, and manufacturers."
He detailed the history of the collaboration: "Since acquiring Plex in 2021, Rockwell has been selling and implementing the technology across Australia and New Zealand. Nukon is our first partner that will be reselling and implementing Plex to further grow the business across the region."
As Wong put it, "With Nukon now implementing Plex in Australia, this partnership is set to expand even further, help bridge the OT/IT gap, and further benefit companies on their digital transformation journey."
The SAGE Group recently announced an acquisition by Tetra Tech, a global provider of consulting and engineering services. Subject to customary closing conditions and approval, this transaction is intended to strengthen SAGE Group's market position and enable further expansion in water, energy, transportation, defence, and manufacturing sectors world-wide.
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