What Is A Manufacturing Execution System (MES)? What Are the Benefits of Using MES?

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) are known by many names: data collection solutions, shop floor execution systems, and manufacturing operations management (MOM).

According to MESA (Manufacturing Execution System Association International),

Manufacturing execution systems deliver information that enables the optimization of production activities from order launch to finished goods. Using current and accurate data, MES guides, initiates, responds to and reports on plant activities as they occur. The resulting rapid response to changing conditions, coupled with a focus on reducing nonvalue-added activities, drives effective plant operations and processes. MES provides mission-critical information about production activities across the enterprise and supply chain via bidirectional communications.”

Photo credited to Informationweek.com

Manufacturing Execution Systems collect multiple plants’ production information, and integrate easily with equipment, controllers and enterprise business applications. Although MES solutions are used to operate as a self-contained system, they are increasingly being integrated with enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. The result is complete visibility, control and manufacturing optimization – from order placing, production inception, and process control to product output.

Why Do I Need A Manufacturing Execution System?

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) deliver a number of long and short-term manufacturing benefits, as well as strategic benefits such as improved yields, lowing operating costs, and increased compliance. Some other benefits of MES include:

DISPATCH/PLANNING

1. Reduce data entry time.
2. Improve production scheduling.
3. Paperless master logs.
4. Electronic batch/device history records.

EXECUTION

1. Visibility throughout the whole production process.
2. Refining process safety and reliability.
3. Reduction of storage costs for work in progress (WIP) materials due to reduced lead time.
4. Improves product and process quality.

MONITORING

1. Eliminate non-value add activities.
2. Up-to-the-minute data information for management to evaluate process and products.
3. Accelerate trace analysis, root cause diagnosis and issue resolution.
4. Electronic batch/device history records.
5. Traceability and genealogy.

Jillian Vanarsdall

Marketing Manager
Having a lifelong love affair with learning. Intrigued by unique, authentic, and passionate people.