Manufacturing execution systems (MES) have been around for quite a while, and there are hundreds of choices out there.
As MES software covers a broad and often loose range of added-value topics, it is rare to find any two systems that offer the same scope of functionality, especially given the rapid progress of related IT technologies, such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and initiatives such as the “Smart Factory.” It is therefore important to understand the principles and technologies behind MES software, so it will work for your needs, rather than the other way around.
At a minimum, MES software enables engineers and managers to follow the progress of production and related activities against a plan, and to modify that plan to reflect changes in customer demand, material availability and process capability. Some MES packages have advanced control and optimization built-in, covering all aspects of supporting operation management.
Approaching MES
The best approach to MES software is to determine the key business goals that need to be achieved and then work backwards. This avoids endless wading through technical specifications and functionalities that can often appear confusing until the context of what is needed is clarified.
It’s much like researching options for a new car. If you stare at “cabin air ionizer” long enough, and read about how it works, eventually you will believe that you can’t live without ionization, even though you didn’t know it existed before you read the brochure. Similarly, many MES functions sound great, but might not be all that relevant for your immediate needs. This can help a great deal with the selection process, though engineers should also think about what their operations’ needs might be in the future.
The selection of MES software and supporting hardware technologies should pave the way towards a single platform that will meet long-term goals without the need for replacement. That’s because the cost of an MES system is not simply the cost of the software and hardware, but is mainly the investment in the changes that an operation will make to allow the MES system to work effectively. Each system effectively prescribes an overall “best practice” for your factory, the fundamentals of which, when compared to both the current and targeted operation, must be considered. The cost of change and cost of ownership can be more significant than the capital purchase.
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