From Operator to Knowledge Worker: Enforcing Training with Plex ERP




In today’s smart manufacturing environments, the shop floor is evolving. It’s no longer just about machines and materials—it’s about people. Skilled, informed, and empowered employees are the backbone of operational excellence. Enforcing training requirements through Plex ERP isn’t just a compliance measure—it’s a strategic investment in your workforce.

Why Training Matters More Than Ever

Modern manufacturing demands agility, precision, and accountability. When operators are properly trained, they don’t just follow instructions—they understand the “why” behind every process. This shift transforms them from task-doers into knowledge workers: individuals who contribute insight, solve problems, and elevate quality.

Training is more than a safety protocol—it’s the foundation of a culture built on continuous improvement. And with Plex ERP, enforcing and tracking that training becomes seamless.

How Plex ERP Supports Training Enforcement

Plex ERP offers two powerful features to ensure only qualified personnel operate workcenters:

Training Required for Login When enabled, this setting blocks access to the Control Panel unless the operator has approved training records. It’s a hard stop that protects your equipment, your product, and your people.

Part-Specific Training This feature allows supervisors to temporarily authorize an employee to run a specific part on a workcenter—even if they don’t have full approval. It’s a smart workaround for urgent production needs, with built-in traceability.

Configuration Steps (Settings Consideration)

To activate these features in Plex ERP:

Enable the following settings:

  • Control Panel → Training required for login

  • Training Session → Training Approval Use

  • Training Session → Part Specific Training Add

Disable the following settings:

  • Workcenter → Approved Operators Selection = 0

  • Control Panel → POL User Login Link

  • Control Panel → Badge Login

Note: Badge login does not support validation of trained operators at the Control Panel.

Security Override Setup:

  • Enable UX Action → Login Security Override (Application: Operations)

  • Assign override rights to Security Auditor roles

Setting Up Training Approval Types

In the setup tables, create approval types such as Supervisor or HR. Associate these with user permissions like Training Admin.

  • If two approvals are required, configure both types.

  • For single approval workflows, only one type is needed.

This ensures that training records are validated by authorized personnel before operators gain access.

Using Part-Specific Training

When no approved operator is available:

  1. A supervisor trains an employee on a specific part and operation.

  2. In the Training Records module, click “Add Part Specific.”

  3. Enter the employee name, class name, part, operation, and workcenter.

  4. Approvers validate the training.

  5. The employee can now log into the workcenter for that part until the training is locked out or inactivated.

Best Practices for Enforcing Training

  • Audit training records and approval workflows regularly.

  • Document all exceptions and part-specific training records.

  • Ensure supervisors understand their role in the approval process.

  • Avoid badge login for workcenters requiring training validation.

Final Thoughts

Training is more than a checkbox—it’s the foundation of a resilient, high-performing workforce. With Plex ERP, manufacturers can enforce training requirements, empower operators, and build a culture of excellence. The result? A smarter shop floor, safer operations, and a team that’s ready for anything.

Reference


Audio Podcast




Popular posts from this blog

From Dormant to Dangerous: Understanding the security risk of dormant user accounts

Image
  In today's digital era, the security of cloud SaaS systems is paramount. An often-neglected aspect of cybersecurity is the management of dormant user accounts, which can unintentionally become gateways for cybercriminals, leading to significant data breaches. The process of regularly auditing and deactivating these inactive accounts is vital to safeguard the integrity and security of an enterprise. By ensuring that only active, necessary users have access to your resources, you minimize the risk of unauthorized access and strengthen your defense mechanisms. This guide delves into the necessity of tackling this issue head-on and outlines effective strategies for managing dormant accounts to secure your valuable data assets. Risks Associated with Dormant User Accounts Dormant user accounts are ticking time bombs in the realm of cybersecurity. These accounts, often forgotten or overlooked after an employee's departure or during system migrations, present a significant security r...
Read more

World Backup Day: The Indispensable Role of Data Backups and Cautionary Tales of Data Loss

Image
World Backup Day is observed annually on March 31st, serves as a reminder of the critical importance of data backups in today's digitally driven world. This day underscores the undeniable fact that data loss, whether due to human error, system failure, or malicious acts by threat actors, is not a matter of 'if' but 'when'. The Unquestionable Importance of Data Backups In the present digital era, data is arguably one of the most valuable assets for both individuals and organizations. From irreplaceable personal photos and videos to crucial business documents and customer data, digital information forms the backbone of our personal and professional lives. Consequently, data loss can have devastating consequences, leading to significant emotional distress for individuals and potentially crippling financial losses for businesses. The Harsh Reality of Data Loss Data loss is a pervasive and inevitable occurrence in our digitally interconnected world. According to the 2024...
Read more

Automate the schedule of AR invoices and statements using the Plex ERP Document Delivery module.

Image
Manual invoicing and emailing of customer statements can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. According to a study by Skynova, most businesses handle up to 500 invoices each month and spend at least five days processing invoices .  The same study also found that 57% of invoice data is entered manually and 49% of businesses require two to three people to approve an invoice. These manual processes can lead to delays in payment and inefficiencies in the accounting process. Invoicing automation can help reduce the time and resources spent on manual invoicing. According to Skynova,Only about half of invoices (52%) are received electronically. The rest are paper invoices that need to be physically sorted, entered, and filed, adding additional steps to the invoice process. The following module in Plex manufacturing allows automatically delivery AR invoices and customer statements via email which can lead to improvement and reduce of the waste of resources associated by manu...
Read more