Rockwell Automation, Inc (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company focused solely on industrial automation and digital transformation, has announced updates to its Manufacturing Execution System (MES) portfolio. The enhancements are designed to give manufacturers greater flexibility, easier expansion and stronger operational reliability.
Rockwell’s updated MES offering is a cloud-based, modular platform that brings together operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT). By allowing manufacturers to add capabilities as needed, the system shortens deployment time, reduces complexity and supports long-term operational growth, including the move toward more automated production environments.
Many traditional MES systems operate independently from other enterprise systems, limiting transparency and coordination. Rockwell’s 2025 State of Smart Manufacturing Report shows that 21% of manufacturing leaders rank system integration as a major internal challenge. Rockwell’s MES addresses this issue with a single platform that connects the full manufacturing process—from materials and inventory to production and tooling. Built-in analytics, AI-supported insights and connected worker tools help manufacturers monitor performance and respond quickly to change.
“Older MES platforms helped establish today’s manufacturing environments, but they often limit how quickly companies can adapt,” said Lorenzo Veronesi, associate research director at IDC. “Manufacturers now need systems that can be adjusted easily, connect across the entire digital workflow and support faster innovation. This shift is essential for building operations that can keep up with ongoing change.”
“Our MES strategy represents a major change in how manufacturers manage and improve their operations,” said Anthony Murphy, vice president of product management at Rockwell Automation. “Managing multiple disconnected systems increases cost and risk. Rockwell’s approach brings critical OT and IT applications together on a cloud-based platform that can grow alongside our customers.”
Rockwell’s MES solutions act as a central system for modern manufacturing, linking software, hardware and services into a single OT/IT environment. The platform is designed to work across industries and scale from individual sites to global operations, combining cloud capabilities with dependable edge deployment.
Rockwell’s MES is built specifically for manufacturing environments, supporting discrete, hybrid and regulated industries. The system includes compliance, traceability and security features that help manufacturers meet industry and regulatory requirements without adding unnecessary complexity.
The platform is delivered as a multi-tenant software-as-a-service solution, offering a broad set of capabilities that can expand over time. Integrated AI tools help manufacturers improve automation and decision-making gradually, allowing them to adopt new functionality when the business is ready.
By bringing operational technology and information technology together, Rockwell’s MES provides a single, unified view of manufacturing operations. This integrated approach improves coordination across teams, strengthens business continuity and enables faster, more informed responses to production issues.
The system is designed to work with existing infrastructure and adapt as technology evolves. Its secure, extensible architecture allows manufacturers to integrate current systems while taking advantage of emerging technologies, including advanced analytics and AI-driven applications.
Manufacturers are already seeing practical results from using Rockwell’s MES solutions. Companies across consumer goods, food production and pharmaceuticals have used Plex MES and FactoryTalk® PharmaSuite® to improve visibility, automate work-in-progress tracking, strengthen financial and operational alignment, and build digital manufacturing foundations that support long-term efficiency and growth. Rockwell’s MES portfolio provides actionable insights, forward-looking analysis and operational flexibility, helping manufacturers simplify production and progress toward higher levels of automation.
Rockwell Automation, Inc (NYSE: ROK) is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. The company connects people and technology to improve productivity and sustainability worldwide. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 26,000 people serving customers in more than 100 countries as of the end of fiscal year 2025.
