** Named “Best Podcast” 3 Consecutive Years! 2022-2024 Apex Award of Publication Excellence.

In this episode, Executive Editor Theresa Houck chats with Anthony Murphy, Vice President of Product Management at Plex, by Rockwell Automation, about:

• How manufacturing is evolving.
• Plex Connected Worker solutions with step-by-step guidance while automating low-value tasks.
• How workers use it.
• How it helps with the skilled worker shortage.

And as always, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Resources from this episode:

• Watch their discussion on YouTube at https://youtu.be/8Pm670QAO9E.
• Plex Connected Worker solutions.
• Learn about Plex, by Rockwell Automation.
• Free eBook, “Quality Management for Dummies,” by Anthony Murphy, VP of Product Management and Brian Martensen, Product Manager, Plex, by Rockwell Automation
• Subscribe to our 4 digital magazines at http://rok.auto/thejournal-subscribe.

Automation Chat is brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

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In this February 2025 news alert, The Journal’s Executive Editor Theresa Houck reports on issues affecting manufacturers and producers every day, including:

• Looming 25% tariffs on semiconductors, automotive and pharmaceuticals.
• Food manufacturing industry trends.
• The most in-demand manufacturing jobs of 2025.
• Projected market growth for PLCs and servo motors & drives.
• Scholarships for students going into manufacturing.
• And more.

And as always, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Resources from this episode:

• Apply for the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association manufacturing students SparkForce summer/fall 2025 scholarships.
• Learn about the Pepperl+Fuchs and Rockwell Automation ThinManager partnership.
• Download the 2024 Rockwell Automation Sustainability Report.
• Subscribe to The Journal’s 4 digital magazines at http://rok.auto/thejournal-subscribe.

** Named “Best Podcast” for 3 Consecutive Years! 2022-2024 Apex Awards of Publication Excellence.

Please share this episode with someone else who would benefit from the information. And kindly leave us a 5-star rating and a review.

Automation Chat is brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

Find us on YouTube.

Find us on LinkedIn.

Find us on Facebook.

Find us on X (Twitter).

Got a topic you want us to cover? Questions or comments? Email Executive Editor Theresa Houck at thouck@endeavorb2b.com.

** Named “Best Podcast” 3 Consecutive Years! 2022-2024 Apex Award of Publication Excellence.

Digitization is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, and advanced technologies are helping manufacturers create a connected environment to increase efficiency and mitigate the skilled worker shortage. In this insightful episode, The Journal’s Executive Editor Theresa Houck discusses 8 important industrial automation trends helping companies develop smart industrial plants.

You’ll learn about smart technologies such as artificial intelligence, edge & cloud computing, digital twins, robots & cobots, connected worker technology, wireless private 5G connectivity and more.

And as always, get your family-friendly, silly Joke of the Day.

Resources from this episode:

• Read Theresa’s full, comprehensive article from the February 2025 issue of The Journal.
• Subscribe to The Journal’s 4 digital magazines at http://rok.auto/thejournal-subscribe.

Automation Chat is brought to you by The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork magazine.

Find us on YouTube.

Find us on LinkedIn.

Find us on Facebook.

Find us on X (Twitter).

Please share this episode with colleagues who would benefit from the information.