MES (Manufacturing Execution System) is a software that allows the management of processes on the shop floor, providing a transversal view of all operations and support in decision making based on real-time information. For these reasons, MES is considered one of the most critical technologies in Industry 4.0.
Many reasons lead a factory to choose to make improvements to its production process. Whether because of problems related to the quality of the final product or simply because it is necessary to optimize the production process. Given the various reasons companies want or need to improve their production processes, it is proven that using more digitized systems can make an extremely relevant contribution in this area.
Therefore, over several years there has been an investment to evaluate potential solutions that allow solving the problems that currently exist in the factories. With these developments came the concept of MES and, subsequently, the technology that supports this concept.
MES Responsibilities
An MES must be a dynamic, modular system with a solid ability to interoperate with other systems (ERP, SCADA, CAD, etc.), having the ability to manage the various manufacturing processes.
- Production planning;
- Process control;
- Quality control;
- Maintenance management;
- Warehouse management;
- Project management;
- Product management;
- Resource management;
- Real-time monitoring of machines and processes;
- Data analysis.
One of the main objectives of MES is to reduce the complexity of operations in all departments of the factory, from the shop floor, through the Quality and Production Planning and Control departments. Hence, there is a system where all the information associated with the process and its surroundings is centralized. Therefore, it can be accessed and worked on by all factory members in a simplified and homogeneous way.
Benefits of having an MES
As it is possible to see, the MES is a transversal system for the entire process, and in this way, its benefits can be verified in several stages of the same, among which:
- Increase in OEE;
- Increase the quality of shop floor records;
- Increased machine availability and better resource management;
- Reduction of waste (energy and material) and defects;
- Reduction of the time associated with stops and the number of stops;
- Reduction of operating costs;
- Increase the effective production time;
- Increased traceability of operations;
- Extraction of data and generation of more accurate information regarding costs;
- Assurance of the continuous improvement process.
