MES Manufacturing execution system
What is an MES Manufacturing Execution System?
Technically, MES manufacturing execution system is a system linking and monitoring machines and workshops in the factory. The main objective of an MES is to guarantee the correct execution of manufacturing operations and to enhance production efficiency. An MES system also guarantees product traceability, which is invaluable for manufacturers who have to meet stringent regulatory requirements.
MES concepts
Production execution systems, like all software, are associated with a set of concepts and terms that make it easier to understand how they work.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
They are powerful, strategic business process management tools, integrating all facets of a company into a single information system. In industry, ERP systems can be used to manage the planning and scheduling process, manufacturing tracking and traceability, inventory management, and more.
MESA-11
This model, launched in 1997 and developed by the Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA), defines the 11 essential functions of a standard MES system. However, the original “MESA-11” was published in 1996. This model indicated eleven essential functions of a manufacturing execution system, with relationships to external enterprise systems and functional areas. It describes what, at the time, constituted the MESA perception of the functionalities of a manufacturing execution system, including scheduling and sequencing, maintenance and quality.
ANSI/ISA-95 standard
It was developed by the International Society of Automation for use by manufacturers worldwide. This standard is a set of guidelines that developers must follow to create software that automatically connects enterprise systems (ERP, for example) and control systems.
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
This general unit of measurement determines how well a machine is performing in relation to its full potential. It therefore measures manufacturing productivity.
Among the features of MES production management softwareproduction management software, process execution management occupies a significant place.
Process execution management in the MES Manufacturing execution system
Manufacturing execution systems (MES) have functionalities capable of managing production and ensuring that the appropriate workflows are followed:
Process diagrams
The system is used to define and manage the process plan, which describes in detail the sequence rules, work instructions, resources and data collection requirements for each operation and step.
Advice on work phases
In addition to work instructions, manufacturing execution system software is able to guide the technician through the various phases, from the simple selection of a job from a mailing list to its recording in a logbook, via the collection of measurement and component data, right through to completion of the job.
Monitoring the progress of production work
MES software will track order completion by area of operation, resources employed, bills of materials and components used, so that production managers can determine where each unit or batch is in the production cycle, what materials are needed and when. This degree of transparency facilitates inventory and production planning, and helps engineers notify customers when their orders can be filled. By asking staff to clock in and out at the start and finish times of a job, this feature can help track labor costs for each job.
Events and alerts
You can also record events such as the end of an operation by a machine or operator, and send alerts by e-mail to the manager or helpdesk if necessary. For example, an alert could be generated if a non-compliant condition is reached, or if a production line stops, etc.
Production monitoring
These features enable you to quickly resolve problems that slow down production, manage and validate variations in planned jobs, and take into account urgent requests for technical adjustments that have a real impact on the production schedule.
Dispatching production tasks
This function provides a daily task distribution list from the ERP, and gives the ability to postpone tasks, deal with unforeseen circumstances, etc. Typically, this component is equipped with graphical visualizations, such as Gantt charts, to assess performance and identify delays in task completion, or to specify whether tasks are in progress or on schedule.