Manufacturing Execution Systems

Computerworld - To help manufacturing companies operate as efficiently as possible, most modernized firms use what are called manufacturing execution systems (MES).

These plantwide systems are used to keep track of production schedules, inventory availability, work in progress and a range of other operations management-related information flowing to and from the shop floor.

If implemented correctly, an MES can manage, initiate, respond to and report on each of the primary production activities of a plant.

			Examples of MES at Work A manufacturer of custom-built products improves on-time delivery: MESs allow for the tracking of specific customer orders and materials bills at the unit and component levels. This permits planners to know exactly where each unit is in the production cycle and what materials are needed and when. It also allows companies to reduce the inventory they hold and notify planners when there are product shortages. In addition, MESs enable planners to better schedule resources, materials, testing facilities and delivery infrastructures. Customers can find out exactly when to expect their products. Manufacturers manage changes in the production process: An MES can help companies maintain records of products and processes by unit, subassembly and lot. At each stage, an MES helps companies gather information on test results, quality results, operators in charge and whether the product is being built in compliance with mandatory requirements. Complete device and product histories and granular details on how the product was built allow manufacturers to hone in faster and more accurately on any required changes or production rerouting. A manufacturer that outsources production of components to contract manufacturers: Provides traceability of all the parts and subassemblies supplied by third parties. An MES allows a manufacturer to keep track of changes.

For instance, a manufacturer of made-to-order electronic goods can use an MES to optimize materials availability, labor and shipping resources by tracking production units, components and subassemblies from the time the order was placed through delivery.

Decisions on the Shop Floor

Delivering minute-to-minute shop-floor information is vital now that the Internet is driving more of a build-to-order manufacturing model, says Bill McSpadden, an analyst at Plant-Wide Research Group in Billerica, Mass.

As a result, companies that want to deliver on these modules need to have access to end-to-end decision-making information that drills down to the shop floor, he adds.

"If you look at the success of companies such as Dell, you see their front-end Web presence is supported by a back end that goes all the way into their plant floors," says Josh Greenbaum, an analyst at Enterprise Application Consulting in Berkeley, Calif.