What is Manufacturing Execution Software?

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) software, or Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) software, is designed to manage, track and improve the flow of information and resources between manufacturing facilities and all other business processes.

With the help of this software, companies are able to coordinate their manufacturing activities with the rest of their business processes. That way they can cut costs by eliminating unnecessary steps in their supply chain. It also helps them meet customer demand with greater precision, which leads to higher profits.

7th December 2022

MES systems keep track of every single step involved in making a product from start to finish. This includes:

  • Scheduling
  • Inventory management
  • Production tracking
  • Quality assurance
  • Supply chain management
And much more

The software provides a single source of truth for all of your data related to production processes, quality control and product availability. It helps you optimise your production schedule by automatically scheduling production based on real-time demand forecasts. If there are any issues with your production process or supply chain management, MES can quickly identify them so that you can take corrective actions before it's too late.

Reducing the Risks of Production Errors

Your manufacturing processes are only as good as the data they're based on.

If you're using disparate systems to manage your operations, it's a lot easier for mistakes to slip into the production process. But when you adopt an MES system, you get a single source of truth for all of your data—and that makes it much less likely that errors will be introduced into your production process.

With an MES system, you'll be able to use a single database to store all of your product information—from specifications and recipes to production data like machine uptime and line speeds. That way, you're not just tracking what's happening in the present but also looking back on historical information that's important for making informed decisions about future production.

Real-Time Communication

MES systems facilitate real-time communication, which means all manufacturing employees have access to the same accurate data.

This is one of the biggest benefits of a MES system. In traditional manufacturing environments, data is often siloed or difficult to access. When you're trying to coordinate tens or hundreds or even thousands of employees, this can be a huge problem! A MES system solves this by giving everyone on your team access to the same information in real time. That way, you can make decisions based on the most accurate data possible and get them communicated quickly so they're not outdated by the time they hit the floor.

Modular Solutions and Flexibility

The combination of modular solutions and flexibility makes MES systems ideal for manufacturers of all types and sizes. Whether you are a small-scale manufacturer or a large-scale one, the right MES solution can help you improve your production process and cut costs.

Modular solutions allow you to choose only the features that you need, so you do not have to pay for any more than what is actually useful to your company. This means that even if you are just starting out, you can still get an MES system that will work well in your business.

Scalable System

An MES system is scalable, so it can grow as your business does. Manufacturers can choose the modules that best address their current needs and add new ones as their business needs evolve.

MES systems are designed to integrate with other pieces of equipment you may already have in place, including ERP software, plant management systems, and production line controllers. This helps ensure that your company's data is always available when you need it most.

Saving Money with a Modern MES Solution

Most companies today are constantly looking for ways to save money and improve efficiency. Modern manufacturing solutions can help reduce costs on many fronts.

An integrated MES uses hardware and software to process information from various sources in real time. It can connect directly with your ERP system so that you can track inventory levels, production orders, and other information in one place. This eliminates the need for additional software applications such as business intelligence tools or reporting software because everything is already integrated into one platform.

In addition, an MES solution can reduce the time employees spend creating documentation by up to 95%, which means they will have more time available for other tasks. This could lead to increased sales or productivity in other areas of your business.

They can also decrease your total expenses related to inventory shrinkage (when products go missing) and waste (when products are thrown out because they're no longer usable). This can be done by helping you identify faulty processes or equipment before they cause problems at your facility.

Conclusion

As technology continues to play a larger role in manufacturing, using an MES system makes sense for every manufacturer. The benefits of a MES are numerous, and it can help improve your bottom line by reducing waste, improving efficiency, and increasing customer satisfaction.