TROY, Mich. and WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Plex Systems, the leader in cloud ERP and MES for manufacturing, announced Tuesday (July 31) it has acquired DATTUS Inc. a leader in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) connectivity technologies.
DATTUS solutions connect manufacturing equipment and sensors to the cloud, manage high-volume data streams and analyze in-motion equipment data to optimize performance, reduce costs and ensure uptime. The acquisition is expected to accelerate Plex's IIoT strategy, extending the Plex Manufacturing Cloud to new streams of machine data and the underlying intelligence. The acquisition was completed in July 2018.
Transforming IIoT Connectivity, Data Management, and Analysis
DATTUS, which began as a Purdue University-affiliated startup, has been driving IIoT technology innovation with a mission to capture and leverage data from the millions of machines, sensors and devices running in manufacturing operations around the world. DATTUS brings to the Plex Manufacturing Cloud three major capabilities that will become central to Plex's long-term IIoT roadmap: IIoT Connectivity, IIoT Data Management and IIoT Data Analysis.
· IIoT Connectivity: DATTUS has simplified machine connectivity, providing plug-and-play solutions that work with the wide variety of protocols and data types used by equipment and sensors on the manufacturing shop floor.
· IIoT Data Management: the DATTUS IIoT platform captures and manages the extraordinary volume and variety of machine data to support real-time visibility into activity across production operations.
· IIoT Data Analysis: DATTUS analytics enable operational and business leaders to understand IIoT data in motion, providing decision support in areas such as predictive maintenance and machine performance.
DATTUS technology and solutions will become part of the Plex IIoT roadmap, effective immediately, and the company will provide further updates on new products and packages later in 2018.
DATTUS went through the Purdue Foundry, an entrepreneurship and commercialization accelerator in Purdue's Discovery Park's Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship, and also was involved with the Silicon Valley Boilermaker Innovation Group,an alumni group that assists new ventures in the Purdue community.In 2014, the startup won $30,000 in the Burton D. Morgan Business Plan Competition.
Comments on the news
"Plex pioneered the connection of machines and sensors to the cloud, ushering in the Industrial Internet of Things," said Richard Murray, chief product officer for Plex Systems. "DATTUS represents the next generation in IIoT, and accelerates our mission to make machine connectivity as simple as adding a smart thermostat to your home. We see this as an opportunity for a major step forward in both connectivity and utilization of machine data to drive efficiency, performance, and innovation on the shop floor."
"Plex has a robust ISV and services partner ecosystem dedicated to extending the Plex Manufacturing Cloud to equipment, sensors, and devices across plant environments," said Don Clarke, interim chief executive officer for Plex Systems. "We expect the new technologies and solutions we're bringing onboard with DATTUS to be a powerful and complementary addition to that partner network, adding new capabilities that our partners can leverage to deliver even more robust solutions to our mutual customers."
"Plex is an ideal fit for DATTUS, as we share the same central vision of transforming manufacturing in the cloud," said Anurag Garg, chief executive officer of DATTUS. "I'm confident that our work in machine connectivity, data management, and analytics will be a major force in that transformation going forward, and I couldn't be happier to join Plex."
"The IIoT Platform space is one of the fastest growing technology markets today," said Matthew Littlefield, president and principal analyst for LNS Research. "In just a few short years we already see adoption rates at 15 percent with another 23 percent of companies in the pilot phase. The acquisition of DATTUS compliments and extends the current capabilities of the Plex Manufacturing Cloud. With a successful integration of the two companies, Plex will be well positioned to holistically address the needs of many industrial companies pursuing a Digital Transformation initiative."
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About Plex Systems
Plex is the Manufacturing Cloud, delivering industry-leading ERP and manufacturing automation to nearly 600 companies across process and discrete industries. Plex pioneered Cloud solutions for the shop floor, connecting suppliers, machines, people, systems and customers with capabilities that are easy to configure, deliver continuous innovation and reduce IT costs. With insight that starts on the production line, Plex helps companies see and understand every aspect of their business ecosystems, enabling them to lead in an ever-changing market. Learn more at http://www.plex.com.
Purdue Research Foundation contact: Tom Coyne, 765-588-1044, tjcoyne@prf.org
Source: Kaitlin Rebella, 248-318-4303,krebella@plex.com