# The Acceleration of Smart Manufacturing Adoption with Plex CTO Jerry Foster

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2022-05-10
- Length: 44m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-05-10-the-acceleration-of-smart-manufacturing-adoption-with-plex-cto-jerry-foster
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Jerry Foster, CTO of Plex Systems (recently acquired by Rockwell Automation), explains the origins of Plex, which grew from internal software built at a forging company to become an early cloud-based MES and ERP provider. He discusses the acceleration of smart manufacturing adoption, driven by pandemic-exposed supply chain and labor challenges, and highlights the convergence of cloud computing and data as the catalyst for practical AI in manufacturing. Foster also addresses the role of emerging technologies like blockchain, the importance of building integrated teams with both action-oriented and analytical leaders, and the growing intersection of profitability and ESG sustainability.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-05-10-the-acceleration-of-smart-manufacturing-adoption-with-plex-cto-jerry-foster#t=0) Introduction and Plex's Origin Story
- [9:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-05-10-the-acceleration-of-smart-manufacturing-adoption-with-plex-cto-jerry-foster#t=561) Plex's Early Cloud Bet and Sales Challenges
- [12:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-05-10-the-acceleration-of-smart-manufacturing-adoption-with-plex-cto-jerry-foster#t=728) Acceleration of Smart Manufacturing Adoption
- [14:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-05-10-the-acceleration-of-smart-manufacturing-adoption-with-plex-cto-jerry-foster#t=847) Building Integrated Teams and Culture
- [17:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-05-10-the-acceleration-of-smart-manufacturing-adoption-with-plex-cto-jerry-foster#t=1030) Technologies: From Hype to Reality (Cloud, 3D Printing, AR)
- [20:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-05-10-the-acceleration-of-smart-manufacturing-adoption-with-plex-cto-jerry-foster#t=1203) Blockchain's Potential Role in Supply Chain
- [24:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-05-10-the-acceleration-of-smart-manufacturing-adoption-with-plex-cto-jerry-foster#t=1449) AI and Data Management in Manufacturing
- [27:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-05-10-the-acceleration-of-smart-manufacturing-adoption-with-plex-cto-jerry-foster#t=1638) Leadership: Action vs. Analysis and ESG
- [35:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-05-10-the-acceleration-of-smart-manufacturing-adoption-with-plex-cto-jerry-foster#t=2105) Leading Through Acquisition and Personal Insights

## Topics

- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Plex Systems (company)
- Rockwell Automation (company)
- GE (company)
- Boeing 737 (product)
- Airbus 320 (product)
- Google Glass (product)
- A3 (company)

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- [EMS@C-LEVEL Season #2021 Episode #8 with Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, Instrumental](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-08-09-ems-c-level-season-2021-episode-8-with-anna-katrina-shedletsky-instrumental) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [How software-defined manufacturing fits into real factory operation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-21-how-software-defined-manufacturing-fits-into-real-factory-operation) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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