Rockwell Automation has announced an API-enabled integration between its Plex Quality Management System (QMS) and FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI, expanding the use of artificial intelligence in manufacturing quality and inspection processes.
In a news release, the company said the integration connects AI-powered visual inspection with QMS workflows, allowing manufacturers to record inspection results within Plex QMS and support quality traceability, defect detection and inspection history.
The move is part of Rockwell Automation’s broader investment in AI and machine learning across manufacturing software, including cloud-based manufacturing execution systems, edge AI and digital twins.
According to the company’s “Scaling MES Across the Enterprise” report, 42% of manufacturing processes are expected to become AI-supported within the next year.
“AI plays a critical role in Rockwell’s industrial autonomy strategy,” said Devin Burke, group product manager at Rockwell Automation. “With predictive intelligence, manufacturers can shift from scripted automation to adaptable autonomy as systems learn, adjust and collaborate across software, hardware and workers.”
Rockwell said the integration builds on the API-first architecture of Plex QMS and can connect with new and existing camera systems through FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI.
The company said the resulting workflows are designed to identify anomalies and defects while storing inspection results in the QMS for greater traceability and product serialisation.
Rockwell also highlighted other recent AI developments within its Plex platform, including an AI-powered authoring agent in Plex Connected Worker that converts CAD files and technical assets into step-by-step work instructions.
Its Reporting and Analytics capabilities also include an AI agent designed to help users identify operational risks and insights using natural-language interactions.
“At Rockwell Automation, we’ve built a context-rich industrial data foundation shaped by years of manufacturing expertise,” said Manu Ravichandran, senior product manager at Rockwell Automation.
“This foundation gives manufacturers the structure, context, and scalability needed to operationalize advanced analytics and AI across complex operations.”
The company said the latest integration is intended to support manufacturers seeking to incorporate AI-driven quality intelligence into existing manufacturing operations.
