Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) deliver information required by factory personnel to effectively manage the manufacturing process from order launch to the production of finished goods. Using current and accurate data, the MES guides, initiates, responds to, and reports on plant activities as they occur.

Key capabilities of a MES and the associated business benefits include:

Product Tracking - High product mix, small order quantities and short lead times all create a complex tracking environment. Having an accurate understanding of the current status of production orders helps keep customer service levels high, provides the information required to minimize WIP and inventory levels, and provides the ERP with accurate information, allowing for better production planning.


Quality Management - Knowing your products have been made to the correct quality specifications before they are shipped is of critical importance. An MES can monitor product and process characteristics in real-time, notifying plant personnel as soon as deviations are detected. Using its Product Genealogy capabilities, the MES can rapidly determine the scope of the quality deviation, and quarantine production to ensure none of the suspect product is shipped. In addition to its real-time capabilities, the MES captures historical quality information, providing detailed information to support on-going quality improvement initiatives.


Product Genealogy - When quality problems do occur, having a detailed and accurate understanding of the scope of the problem is key to containing and managing the issue. With product genealogy, the MES tracks which products were made on which pieces of equipment; which materials were used in which batches of product; and which personnel were involved. Once the product defect is traced back to its root cause, be it off-spec materials, a process deviation, or incorrect procedures, the MES will identify all suspect production that could have been impacted, allowing you to rapidly contain the issue with a high degree of confidence.