AUBURN HILLS, MI -- 11/20/08 --
Plexus
Systems, Inc., provider of Plexus Online software for the manufacturing
enterprise, today announced that sales have been growing at a robust rate
in spite of economic challenges in the marketplace. In the fourth quarter
of 2008, Plexus has been selling an average of one to two new deals per
week, while competitors report sales declines, steep losses, and layoffs.
Plexus Online
software enables manufacturers to perform at maximum efficiency by
providing enterprise resource planning (ERP) functions and manufacturing
execution system (MES) functions, along with customer relationship
management (CRM) and more, all designed specifically for manufacturers.
Plexus Online is currently used by companies in automotive, aerospace and
defense, life sciences and the food & beverage industries.
"The software as a
service (SaaS) technology and business model that Plexus Systems
pioneered is exceptionally well-suited for the current challenges facing
manufacturers," said Plexus Systems president Mark Symonds. "With a SaaS
solution like Plexus Online, companies enjoy incomparable flexibility in
how the software is configured for their unique needs. It also allows for
rapid implementations that provide an accelerated time to value, and low
monthly subscription pricing. All of these benefits accrue without the
expenses associated with older software systems, which require the purchase
of servers, storage systems, and other hardware, along with prolonged
deployments that can cost two to five times the price of the software.
Combining these advantages with the broad functional footprint of our
software, and the daily updates we make to our feature-set, makes Plexus
Online the ideal solution for manufacturers in these troubled times --
times when other software makers are reporting reduced revenue and
plummeting budgets for new research and development."
According to Symonds, Plexus is seeing an accelerated shift away from
legacy on-premise software packages, many of which have not had significant
new features added in five or more years. Companies are rejecting the cost,
complexity and inflexibility of these systems, and are turning to the
software as a service model in record numbers. "We are seeing a huge wave
of replacements of software that was installed hastily in the run up to
Y2K. This software was old at that time, and now it hinders manufacturers'
innovation and growth rather than enhancing it," said Symonds.
About Software as a Service
SaaS solutions such as Plexus Online eliminate the need for costly,
time-consuming software and hardware installations by a company's IT
department, and instead deliver advanced functions via a Web browser and an
Internet connection. The solution is highly configurable to meet the unique
needs of each enterprise, and is continuously improved so no update is ever
required. Plexus Online, which features an easily customizable and broad
functional footprint, offers more than 350 functional modules to meet the
needs of all departments, from the shop floor to the top floor. Plexus
Online collects and fully integrates shop floor data such as production
scheduling, real-time inventory control, tool tracking, production
tracking, and part genealogy, and more with enterprise resource planning
(ERP) functions, customer relationship management (CRM), manufacturing
execution systems (MES), and supply chain management (SCM) functions such
as supplier quality and traceability. Manufacturing data is collected as it
happens and flows throughout the solution for streamlined operations,
reduced costs and better decision making.
About Plexus Systems, Inc.
Since 1995, Plexus Systems, Inc. (Auburn Hills, Mich.) has maintained a
singular vision -- to drive significant cost, quality and productivity
improvements for manufacturers, from the shop floor to the top floor.
Today, Plexus Online also enables manufacturers to manage accounting,
financials, regulatory compliance, human resources and other critical
priorities, based on real-time, highly accurate data from their
manufacturing operations. Plexus Systems serves a global cross section of
manufacturing industries (OEM and suppliers), particularly automotive,
medical device and aerospace and defense companies. In 2006, Apax Partners
(www.apax.com) made a strategic investment in Plexus Systems, joining the
founding investment group as stakeholders in Plexus. For more information,
visit www.plex.com.
Contact:
Peggy Fenwick
Plexus Systems, Inc.
Telephone: 734.516.6490
pr@plex.com
