Manufacturing Execution Systems

A manufacturing execution system performs a number of valuable activities as its scope has been further refined over the years by international models and standards. Examples include the following:

1. Evaluation of Performance: This is accomplished via an audit interface that facilitates integration of data from other systems.
2. Tracking and Tracing of Production: A complete history of equipment, lots, and orders can be presented upon request because of the capability to retrieve and register related information.
3. Production Performance Analysis: Performance indicators like overall equipment effectiveness of a past period or Work In Progress overviews of a current stage of production can be used to create useful information.
4. Production Process Scheduling: Manufacturing execution systems receive production requirements from another system, such as an ERP, and make optimal use of local resources with a collection of work orders to determine the production schedule.
5. Resource Management: The right availability and capability of resources are essential to prepare and execute production orders. MES helps to accomplish this by analysis, registration, and exchange of information regarding the various resources.

Industry 4.0

The advances in data exchange, cloud computing, and automation to foster “smart factories” has been referred to as the fourth industrial revolution, or as it is sometimes styled Industry 4.0. A smart factory works toward greater efficiency through the collection and analysis of time-series data via the process of manufacturing analytics.

The analysis helps manufacturing decision-makers improve production output by optimizing current conditions on the plant or factory floor.
In the 1990s, when Industry 4.0 systems were being developed, there was an overlap in functionality between different systems. Some structure was needed to correct this overlap, so the Manufacturing Enterprise Solution Association set the scope of MES in terms of 11 defined functions, which include the following:

• Performance analysis
• Document control
• Labor management
• Product tracking
• Quality management
• Performance analysis

These functions place MES at level 3 within a functional hierarchy between Level 0, 1, and 2 process control and Level 4 enterprise resource planning.

We are excited to announce our new partnership with Applied Computer Services and a developed integration with their Timer Pro QMS software. With this powerful collaboration, we will leverage Timer Pro’s industry-leading time management software to optimize your manufacturing operations, improve efficiency, and boost productivity.