A Manufacturing Execution System (MES), is an information system which monitors and tracks the process of producing manufactured goods on the factory floor. The overall goal of MES is to make certain that manufacturing operations are effectively executed to improve production output. That goal is achieved by tracking and gathering real-time and accurate data about a complete production lifecycle.
MES is the comprehensive system that controls all the activities occurring on the shop floor. It begins with all the various orders from customers, the MRP system, the master schedule, and other planning sources; and then builds the products in the most effective, low cost, expedient, and high- quality way possible. A comparative example occurs in the construction business where the construction team (MES) builds a tower from the architectural plans (inputs from MRP, Master schedule, etc.)
Core Functions of Manufacturing Execution Systems
With accelerating innovation comes more rapid change into manufacturing, increasing variability and putting added pressure on operations to maintain high quality levels. Even with clear strategic business initiatives, it is essential for manufacturers to make rapid, informed decisions in fast-changing operating environments.
- monitor and synchronize manufacturing activities across globally distributed plants; and link them in real-time to the enterprise for optimal performance.
- Paperless manufacturing with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) helps to reduce scrap and eliminates paperwork errors and redundant checks.
- tracks product and order details on the plant floor, collects transactions for reporting to financial and planning systems, and electronically dispatches orders and manufacturing instructions to shop floor personnel.
- provide the flexibility to model and change complex processes and enforce them immediately.
- helps eliminate human error in manufacturing by providing real-time quality data checks, yield monitoring, automatic enforcement of specifications and business rules, and as-manufactured lot, batch, device or unit traceability – all resulting in improved product and process quality, and higher productivity.
- provide the real-time feedback needed to quickly identify and resolve issues for continuous product and process improvement and optimization of manufacturing processes.
Benefits of Manufacturing Execution Systems
Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) provide a number of long and short-term benefits as well as strategic and tactical benefits, including more rapid time to volume, improved yields, lower operating costs, increased compliance.
Additional benefits
- Eliminate non-value add activities
- Proactively and systematically standardize and enforce processes across all sites
- Gain real-time visibility and control across the manufacturing supply chain
- Accelerate trace analysis, root cause diagnosis and issue resolution
- Lower cost of good quality
- Continuously improve product quality and new designs
- Make fact-based operational and strategic decisions
- Complete control over your manufacturing process
