MES Tools | DIAMES

02 Mar 2017

MES Applications, MES Tools Diames 0 comment

The Benefits of Integrating MES and ERP

Manufacturing execution systems and enterprise resource planning applications have been helping manufacturers be more efficient for decades. However, each of the two systems has its own pitfalls, which are easily covered by their counterpart. This has experts wondering what would happen if MES were combined with ERP, or even an MRP system. Integrating all of the necessary features and functions of both systems could create the best manufacturing processes we’ve seen yet. Here are some of the potential benefits of this integration.

Supply Chain Management

Having enough materials incoming to make products is obviously a critical need for manufacturers. Managing the supply chain can be difficult if you don’t have enough details about how the manufacturing process is operating at any given moment.

The integration of MES and ERP would be able to give managers a clear view of where a particular product stands in the process at all times. This would allow for better forecasting, distribution, production and better overall business decisions. The integration would prevent late arrivals for materials, which would have a trickle down effect to customers and overall business success.

Resource Management

Managing all resources in a manufacturing plant is vital to becoming more efficient. The resources range from actual materials to machines and even the people working the machines. No matter if your company is using MES, ERP or MRP, keeping track of resources is the only way to maintain efficiency.

The integration of MES and ERP would help plant managers analyze flaws anywhere in the process and improve workflow at any given location. You would have the ability to view historical data, current data and future projections in order to manage resources more accurately. The management of resources will help streamline the manufacturing process, which will benefit business at every stage.

Overall Business Efficiency

The overall goal of every manufacturing company is to create an efficient machine. Whether that means integrating processes or systems, improved scheduling or anything else, efficiency means more profits. Integrating MES and ERP will give managers complete control over the entire manufacturing process, so they can focus on smaller areas to recognize and fix bottlenecks and enhance workflow. Without this integration, some flaws could be overlooked, simply because managers don’t have the proper resources to identify the issues.

MES and ERP systems have generally stood alone over the years because they perform different functions. However, they are different enough to be able to create a nearly perfect system if integrated. For more ideas on how this is possible and whether it will ever occur in the future, feel free to contact us.

16 Feb 2017

MES Applications, MES Tools Diames 0 comment

How the Cloud Impacts Manufacturing

When manufacturing companies use the cloud extensively, they are able to focus more on their own core business rather than worry about other IT related items. Not all companies today use a cloud based MES, but those that do have typically saved some money in both the short-term and long-term. They can essentially use cloud service based IT tools and applications on a rental basis, so the costs and time spent using these resources remain low. Here are some other ways the cloud impacts manufacturing in a positive way.

Keeps IT Processes Current

Most companies are able to trim back their in-house IT staff when they implement cloud based manufacturing execution systems. The service providers will handle all the necessary software updates and automatically backup your systems without the need of a full IT team. In the event of a shutdown at the manufacturing facility, data is stored offsite, so you’ll never have to worry about lost information.

Advanced Inventory Management

There’s nothing worse than having a large amount of orders, but not enough inventory to fill those orders. This can happen occasionally, but not with cloud based MES applications. The cloud service will work behind the scenes with your suppliers or partners to ensure the amount of inventory meets the volume of orders. Some managers are hesitant to use a data-sharing program like this, but there are still security measures in place to guarantee confidentiality.

Provides Better Client Support

Customers have the ability to check the status of orders when you implement a cloud based MES. Not only will this give the customer real-time access to their order, but it will prevent manufacturers from having to take the time away from the production floor to answer status questions. Or if you’d prefer to have an actual person answer phone calls, you can have a remote team dedicated to doing so by granting them access to the information from the cloud.

More Accurate Forecasting

The only way to make better business decisions is to have accurate forecasting. With cloud based manufacturing execution systems, you’ll have access to real-time information, statistics and projections, so forecasting accuracy can improve. When you have the ability to look at both past results and accurate projections, you can make easier business decisions without as much risk.

To learn more about cloud based MES systems and how they could be implemented into your manufacturing company, feel free to contact us at any time.

28 Nov 2016

MES Tools, Production & Operations Management Diames 0 comment

Improving Production Management Can Reduce Last Minute Planning

Production scheduling and planning are a lot more difficult than they sound. Without the proper systems in place, last minute planning is almost always inevitable. However, Manufacturing Execution System (MES) solutions can allow plant managers, supervisors or workcenter operators to use advanced planning processes to help make operations run more smoothly.

One helpful manufacturing execution system is a shop floor manager. This tool enables users to view and manage the entire operations on the shop floor with an online data navigator. Make sure the use of real-time data is a feature of your shop floor manager MES tools. This ability can significantly help to improve production management and cut-down on last-minute planning.

Start With Analyzing Plant Level Data

The shop floor manager should display a full view of the entire plant operation to get a general sense of productivity. Anyone in a Manufacturing Operation Management (MOM) role will appreciate the ability to quickly scan real-time data versus running reports based on past data.

If the manager can pinpoint a machine that’s not producing well, then they can dig deeper into the specific department. Without a full view of the manufacturing plant, it wouldn’t be as easy to narrow the issue.

Analyze the Data

MES shop floor manager tools should be able to break down the real-time data into departments, work centers and even crew members. The best way to improve production management is to identify the source of a problem, rather than just address it on the surface. Manufacturing execution systems allow managers to target the source of a breakdown and be proactive in repairing it instead of discovering the problem when it’s too late.

From a manufacturing planning standpoint, managers can make more accurate projections based on real-time data. Traditional systems rely on historical data to produce projections. But a manager who stays on top of their MES tools can clearly see where the production currently stands and can monitor productivity to ensure it stays on the right track.

Compare and Customize Display Information

Having a system to display the information relevant to you and your company for planning purposes is critical. Users should be able to view different schedules, times and data with a few simple clicks. Whether you want to know how a particular employee is working or how long a machine has been running, the information should be easy to access.

When it comes to planning, the more information you have, the better off you’ll be. But having the relevant data is even more important. MOM is all about knowing what has happened on the floor and comparing it to what’s currently in production. When you do that, you’ll be able to limit last minute planning practices and move toward advanced planning.

Contact us for more information about the DIAMES Shop Floor Manager MES. This essential production planning tool has all of these essential features and more.