What is MES (Manufacturing Execution System)? And, why do we need it?

MES (Manufacturing Execution System) – Answer to your question! 

But, what is MES?

Aiming to ensure effective performance of the manufacturing operations and improve production output, Manufacturing Execution System (MES) was designed. Technically, it is an IT solution that maps, monitors and manages complex manufacturing processes and information flows on the shop floor.

The system tracks and gathers real-time information about the entire production lifecycle, right from order release to product delivery.

And, in a way, helps decision-makers to understand the current situation of the shop floor and take timely actions to optimize the production process.

So, why do you need it? Because, it helps in:

• Dispatching and Production

  Records and manages the flow of the production process in the form of orders, batches, lots, etc. Moreover, it also maintains the information of associated work-centers, process cells, and personnel.

• Quality Management

  Provides real-time quality test results collected from the shop floor to identify problems, take timely preventive measures, and assure good quality products.

• Process Management

  Maps production process, and provides decision support to operators for correcting and improving in-process operations.

• Production Tracking & Genealogy

  Displays real-time status of production process. And, this status includes entire information about personnel, materials used, development stage, etc.

• Document Control

  Controls records and forms that are needed to maintain with the production process. It includes manufacturing instructions, recipes, standard operating procedures (SOP), batch records, etc.

• Performance Analysis

  Provides real-time reporting of actual manufacturing operations that includes resource utilization, resource availability, cycle time, conformance with schedule and standards.

• Operational Detail Scheduling

  Arrange production sequencing based on priorities, attributes, and characteristics. It identifies alternative and overlapping production plans to calculate the timing of equipment loading.

• Resource Allocation & Status

  Records status of personnel that includes time, attendance, certification tracking, tasks assigned, etc. This, in a way, supports resource allocation for optimal assignments.

• Maintenance Management

  Maintains history of past downtimes events of process cells and manages their scheduling for periodic maintenance to ensure their uninterrupted availability for production.

Then, how does it benefit your business?

A broad range of functionality (mentioned above) makes a large difference. It:

• Improves supply chain visibility
• Eliminates paperwork and manual data-entry processes
• Reduces manufacturing cycle time
• Improves regulatory compliance
• Reduces time to market
• Reduces order lead time
• Lowers labor costs
• Reduces WIP inventory
• Increases machine utilization
• Increases customer satisfaction