A manufacturing execution system is a software solution that helps businesses with monitoring and tracking the production process of manufactured goods from raw materials to finished products. The key goal of a MES is to ensure the efficient execution of manufacturing operations while also improving the production output. Furthermore, it provides a layer between ERP solutions and process control systems that provides data and helps in decision-making.
According to Webinarcare, in 2023 the global market for MES is predicted to be sized at around 18 billion US dollars.
Benefits of MES
- Cost Reduction: A manufacturing execution system helps companies monitor the required time for the production process which leads to freeing up production lines and reducing inventory.
- Digitization and automation: A MES provides real-time data of the production process across the entire supply chain.
- Improved Quality Control: Due to the real-time data, a business that has adapted a MES to its processes can put a halt to a production procedure after identifying any issues. This minimizes damaged goods and waste.
- Decreased Downtime: This solution generates practical production timetables by monitoring inventory of raw materials and components which avoids the need to adjust schedules when parts are n transit resulting in time savings. Additionally, the MES can optimize employee scheduling by efficiently using available workers.
The Evolution of MES
Integrate Your MES with ERP
Manufacturing companies that use independent MES solutions can obtain significant benefits by integrating them with their ERP solutions. This integration enables:
- coordination of production activities with supply chain management, inventory, and sales
- improved demand forecasting
- streamlined inventory management
- better cash flow and enhanced customer satisfaction
In addition, companies that opt for an advanced manufacturing ERP will have a competitive advantage with it comes to this integration. For instance, the MES module can update the status of goods in progress and track output against predicted production during the manufacturing run.