Rockwell Automation takes important step towards autonomous manufacturing of the future with Elastic MES concept
Rockwell Automation Takes Major Step Towards Autonomous Manufacturing of the Future with Elastic MES
Rockwell Automation is setting a new standard for flexibility, scalability, modularity and adaptability in MES systems with its innovative “Elastic MES” concept.
The new technology framework for digital manufacturing focuses on the operational resilience of manufacturing enterprises. It is designed to flexibly respond to their current needs, while laying the foundation for increasingly autonomous and intelligent operations in the future.
What’s new in the concept?
The “Elastic MES” concept unites the global company’s extensive portfolio of manufacturing execution systems, including the cloud-based PLEX platform, FactoryTalk-branded software packages and other company MES solutions, into a single and easily adaptable platform across industries, designed to unify IT and OT activities, processes and technologies.
Rockwell Automation’s updated portfolio of MES systems is the result of strategic innovations and an even more flexible and modular approach, emphasizing cloud connectivity and broad interoperability, revealed specifically for Automation-Bulgaria.com by Rotek, which has been an official partner and distributor of the American company in our country for over 25 years.
“This new approach accelerates the realization of value, simplifies operations and allows industrial manufacturers to scale functionality according to current needs. This is a key step forward towards the autonomous factories of the future,” Rockwell points out.
Limitations of Traditional MES Systems
Traditional MES systems typically operate in isolation, limiting visibility into IT and OT operations, the company added, citing data from its latest edition of its annual report on the development of smart manufacturing, “State of Smart Manufacturing Report” 2025:
“More than a fifth of manufacturers cite integration challenges as the most serious internal obstacle. Our new flexible and scalable MES concept eliminates this barrier through a unified platform that connects all stages and units in the production cycle – from materials and inventory, to tooling, equipment and technological processes.
With the help of artificial intelligence, integrated analytics and technologies from the “connected worker” segment, Rockwell’s MES ecosystem provides maximum visibility, flexibility and optimization,” the company informed.
“While fundamental, traditional MES systems are becoming obstacles to adaptability in a new technological era driven by rapid change. The future lies in flexible and scalable MES solutions that enable dynamic reconfiguration, integrate seamlessly into the digital chain and accelerate innovation,” said Lorenzo Veronesi, vice president of research at market research agency IDC.
“The concept of ‘Elastic MES’, subject to flexibility, adaptability, scalability and interoperability, is leading to a fundamental transformation in the connectivity of manufacturing operations. Piecemeal, do-it-yourself systems actually increase costs, risks and complexity for enterprises. With its new focus, Rockwell’s MES portfolio unifies IT and OT layers in a cloud-mediated and extensible architecture that grows with users,” added Anthony Murphy, vice president of product management at Rockwell Automation.
Backbone of Smart Factories
The company’s MES solutions serve as the digital backbone of modern manufacturing, connecting software, hardware and services in a single ecosystem that combines the power of cloud platforms with the reliability of edge computing.
Key benefits:
A purpose-built platform for discrete, hybrid and highly regulated industries, providing traceability, compliance and security;
SaaS architecture (software as a service) with embedded AI technology;
Unified OT/IT integration;
Extensible platform design – for easy scaling and compatibility with existing systems;
Flexible “edge-to-cloud” configuration – wide options for all-cloud or hybrid (cloud-edge) configurations according to specific needs.