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Smart Manufacturing Blog

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Supply Chain Management

Plex Manufacturing Blog

Where Did My Quality Go?

Plex Team May 10, 2023

Many people only look at production operations to assess quality within an operation. But quality is imperative across all departments within manufacturing. Production processes, inventory management, maintenance, and the demand and supply planning process are all critical components of quality management.However, there are two different approaches for businesses regarding these processes -…

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Supply Chain Technology Adoption: Opportunities and Obstacles

Gerry Abbey May 4, 2023

"Back to normal."After the countless disruptions that have defined the last several years, that’s not a phrase used by manufacturers when talking about where supply chains are headed.However, not getting back to normal offers new opportunities for success. Finding better ways to minimize upheaval and maximize relationships also means gaining stability, agility, and predictability when it comes to…

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Where Did My Profit Go?

Plex Team April 19, 2023

While the last few years have seen significant events like COVID-19 and other disruptions impact profit for companies in every industry, staying profitable and maximizing profit is a never-ending pursuit.Companies often audit, implement improvement initiatives, and pressure suppliers to lower the cost of raw materials to increase their bottom line. But hidden in the weeds is a cumulative set of…

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Where Did My Inventory Go?

Plex Team April 5, 2023

It’s happened to every manufacturing professional over the years: The computer – or clipboard – shows enough stock to make the scheduled product, but a short delivery or quick uptick in demand means there isn't enough stock on hand to fulfill orders.Inventory issues, no matter the reason, can be maddening. They can throw even the most carefully planned production schedules into chaos, leaving…

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Where Did My Raw Materials Go?

Plex Team March 22, 2023

In the age before computers, supply chain visibility depended on telephone calls, snail mail, verbal agreements, and even intuition. As technology advanced, these functions were computerized to give supply chain professionals better control over data and information....

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Where Did My Product Demand Go?

Plex Team March 9, 2023

We've all been there.One day, demand is high, forecasts are rosy, and life is good. The next, demand has plummeted, and you're sitting there with a mountain of inventory and booked capacity with no demand to support it.Wild swings in demand have always been a headache. But with supply chain volatility and complexity increasing, it's becoming harder and harder to prevent these swings....

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Don't Get Too Close to the Flame

Plex Team January 17, 2023

Plex DemandCaster Demand and Supply Software lets planning professionals use data-driven insights to navigate successfully and stay away from the flames. ...

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From Farm to Factory: How Fertilizer and Material Shortages Affect Food and Beverage Manufacturers

Plex Team January 17, 2023

It’s become a perfect storm. Massive disruption of supply chains for food products is becoming a regular threat. Driven by lingering COVID-19 impacts, the war in Ukraine, and other factors, there’s a global shortage of fertilizer....

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Lock it Down with Supply Chain Planning Software

Plex Team January 4, 2023

Read here to learn how supply chain planning software streamlines and automates supplier relationships and adds value for both parties. ...

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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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