MES - Manufacturing Execution System

Company objectives define the content of the MES solution

In 2000-2005, the American ISA (International Society of Automation) defined a standard called ISA-95, which defines the relationships and responsibilities between enterprise-level systems, factory floor operational systems, and automation in the manufacturing industry.

According to the standard, Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) activities include those activities in the manufacturing production environment that coordinates personnel, equipment, material, and energy when raw materials are used to make parts and products. MOM functions generally cover production planning, scheduling, data collection, and reporting functionalities.
 
The demarcation and division of tasks between the MES and other systems used in production is not always clear. Therefore, the term MES is often inconsistently used for systems that include any MOM functions.

The standards roughly define the scope of MES, but there are many interpretations of what functionalities are included. When considering system acquisition, it is essential to remember that an MES is always a set that serves the needs of production, and the needs and expectations for the system vary greatly depending on the nature of the operation, the industry, or the objectives. It is important to identify the company’s needs and challenges in production, and try to solve them in the best possible way.

The information needed by production is usually obtained from various systems, machines, equipment, factory automation, and production workers. There can be several different systems used in production, such as PDM, SCM, and APS. All of these are often still interfacing with the enterprise ERP system. In addition, data collection systems are needed to gather information directly from machines and devices and the operators who use them.
 
To make production as smooth as possible, all systems should be simple and intuitive to use. Pinja’s MES solution makes it easier to manage everything by bringing together production control and the information needed for production in one system.

Who is an MES for?

The MES provides a tool for unifying digital, scattered information and helps ensure that employees have access to all the information they need. The MES is suitable for all manufacturing companies, but is especially efficient in solving challenges in companies where production data is scattered and poorly managed. 

How should you go about acquiring an MES solution?

The idea behind the purchase of an MES may be, for example, the need to increase productivity, reduce lead times, improve quality, and enhance internal security of supply. In addition, there is often a need to facilitate the work of production workers, and to digitize scattered, manually collected data. 

Before purchasing a system, it is important to review the current situation as thoroughly as possible, and in particular what you are trying to change. In addition to the data, it is also a good idea to review the current processes, and whether the current systems support the production process in the optimal way. Often, the aim of a system acquisition is to change a process, so one of the purposes of the project is to introduce new ways of working into everyday life.

We have written a guide to help you understand how to proceed with your MES acquisition. In this guide, we explain the concepts of MES in more detail, and the issues to be considered when purchasing an MES-level solution for the manufacturing industry.  

Guide: Quality management in the manufacturing industry