With a PLC it's simple to have the PLC record 2 count values and store it in the PLC however to read these values you need to use the software that you use to program the PLC to read them or you have to use an HMI software or a hardware HMI which is more costly and and involved. However, I think you have all the parts and tools needed to use the PLC for counting I think it's a good idea to just do that first and see if the count values help you then develop something else.