Integrations strengthen workforce support and simplify operations for manufacturers

MILWAUKEE — September 30, 2025 — Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced expanded integration capabilities for its Connected Worker solution from Plex, by Rockwell Automation. These advancements allow the Connected Worker solution to connect seamlessly across Rockwell applications and third-party systems, giving manufacturers a more unified way to address today's workforce challenges.

Manufacturers continue to face critical workforce shortages, with a recent survey showing that attracting employees with the desired skillsets is among the top five internal and external obstacles to growth. Respondents also cited a lack of skilled labor as the leading reason they expect to struggle to outpace competitors. In the last year since its launch, the Connected Worker solution has already helped manufacturers tackle these challenges by equipping frontline employees with guided instructions, real-time context, and digital collaboration tools.

"We now have embedded images as well as full tasks for work instructions. Previously it was just the wall of text, those barely getting reviewed," said Christopher Giles, Sr. IT ERP Analyst at Recaro Automotive. "With Guided Work Instructions, I can rely on someone who's been here five years or someone who's been here a month. I should not be seeing a discrepancy in terms of what they're doing, how they're doing it and the quality of things that they're producing."

"The Plex Connected Worker functionality has made an impressive impact across A.J. Rose operations, facilitating improvements like task ownership transparency, assignment efficiency, and issue resolution speed," shared Michael Hamulak, ERP Analyst, A.J. Rose. "Teams are better aligned and workflows are smooth. The functionality's Activity Manager played a direct role in supporting 7-8% OEE in the pressroom, as it keeps action items visible and responsibilities clear. This efficiency improvement translates to a higher profitability and plays an integral role in the company's larger success."

With edge-to-cloud interoperability within Rockwell applications such as FactoryTalk® Optix™ and Fiix®, as well as third-party manufacturing execution systems (MES) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, the Connected Worker solution helps manufacturers:
• Recruit and retain talent by giving frontline employees modern digital tools that make work more intuitive and engaging.
• Bridge skills gaps with real-time guidance and step-by-step work instructions so that new employees can perform with the same confidence and quality as seasoned workers.
• Preserve and transfer corpus of manufacturing knowledge by capturing best practices and processes before experienced employees retire.
• Reduce complexity and total cost of ownership by consolidating systems, streamlining workflows, and lowering the number of tools workers must navigate

"Manufacturers need solutions that not only help their teams work smarter today but also position them for long-term success," said Michael Masser, Group Product Manager, Rockwell Automation. "By extending edge to cloud interoperability across Rockwell and third-party applications, we are giving manufacturers a unified way to support their people while streamlining operations. This is the heart of our elastic MES strategy—modular, scalable, and comprehensive—giving customers the flexibility to connect systems, adapt quickly, and thrive in an environment where workforce challenges remain the top priority."

To learn more about Plex, by Rockwell Automation, and its manufacturing solutions, please visit https://www.plex.com/smart-manufacturing-platform.

About Plex
Plex, by Rockwell Automation, is a leader in cloud-delivered smart manufacturing solutions, empowering the world's manufacturers to make awesome products. Our platform gives manufacturers the ability to connect, automate, track, and analyze every aspect of their business to drive transformation. The Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform™ includes solutions for manufacturing execution (MES), ERP, quality, supply chain planning and management, asset performance management, production monitoring, process automation and analytics to connect people, systems, machines and supply chains, enabling them to lead with precision, efficiency and agility. To learn more, visit http://plex.rockwellautomation.com.

About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 29,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.