In this Automation World podcast we connect with Ben Stewart, Rockwell Automation global digital strategy lead, to explore the ways that emerging automation tactics are affecting manufacturing execution systems and the strategies we use to optimize them. We dive into how industrial enterprises are moving beyond point solutions and custom setups for smarter MES. Ben details how his clients demand the ability to standardize MES across their companies, how they expect quick deployments and the ability to connect all of their devices and to connect to the cloud while remaining stable and secure. Finally, we ask the author of "MES for Dummies" what has changed since he published that book a few years back.