business process management

Manufacturing execution systems (MES) have come a long way in the last few decades. A couple of decades ago, manufacturers used manufacturing resource planning (MRP) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications to manage data. However, those applications were limited compared to what MES can do today. Manufacturing companies not using MES today are behind in the times and could be making their systems and processes much easier. Those using MES using MES understand the benefits offered. MES has changed the industry and continues to evolve. Take a look at exactly how.

Real-Time Data Collection

The flaw with MRP and ERP is you can’t access real-time data to analyze. This is critical for the manufacturing business process, because you can see how a particular project is going and know how to manage inventory, supplies, maintenance and other factors.

Having the ability to see what happened in the past few hours, what’s going on currently and what the projections are for the near future makes business process management much easier. Making business decisions based on projections alone are just as good as guesses. With manufacturing execution systems, you can take a lot of guesswork out of the equation.

Customizable and Flexible

Being able to customize MES software makes it great for any manufacturing plant. If you want the system to focus more on inventory, you can do that. If you want it to focus only on a certain machine or a process, you can do that as well. This is a big positive when you have a machine that may not be functioning properly and you don’t know exactly why. Manufacturing execution systems can give you enough information to identify what part of the process is causing problems, so it can be addressed accordingly.

MES Gives Manufacturers a Competitive Advantage

Accessing real-time data from anywhere can prevent downtime. With cloud based MES, you can view data from your mobile device virtually anywhere. You can also rest assured the data is kept securely in the cloud. Because of this mobility and flexibility, manufacturers using MES have a clear advantage over others not using MES. Reduced downtime means increased profits due to shorter processing times—and higher quality products as a result.

Any business process management professional always looks for the most efficient way to go about business. Manufacturing execution systems have changed the industry over the last few decades, and will continue to do so in the future as it evolves even further. For more information about how MES can be tailored to your company, feel free to contact us.

Making the decision to install the right MES applications can greatly impact your business’s production line. Not only will production run more efficiently as a whole, but production managers can make better business decisions by utilizing MES. The technology in MES applications creates transparent processes at any stage of production, meaning operators can react immediately if an issue arises. Without this technology, workflow will not be as efficient, which can cost time and money. Here are some key ways MES can impact your production business process positively.

1. Improves Cost Optimization

Using human resources on the shop floor can cost a significant amount of money, and the same volume of facts and figures can’t be produced. Without using MES applications, it is virtually impossible to have a proactive production management approach.

Cost optimization can happen at any stage of the production process. When analyzing your business process management, you have to look at everything from the planning stage to the delivery stage and anywhere in between. Manufacturing execution systems can make each one of those stages more efficient, thus reducing costs and driving profits.

2. Reduces Downtime and Waste

Errors on the production line will occur, regardless of what systems are in place. However, with MES applications, the time elapsed between the error being noticed and being corrected is significantly lower. This results in much less waste and could prevent shutdowns.

Your business process management planning likely takes waste into consideration. Raw materials alone can account for a significant amount of the cost of the product, so reducing waste can give a big boost to a company’s bottom line and create happier consumers as well.

3. Creates Overall Synchronization of Processes

When data is collected from every stage of the supply chain, it leads to processes running like a well-oiled machine. MES applications can tie in any and all stages of your production to create a more efficient and effective business. Plus, production managers can make better decisions about any maintenance repairs or other business decisions based on the real-time data provided by MES. It’s the synchronization of the company’s processes that makes it more powerful and profitable.

If you are one of the few companies without MES applications, you need to at least consider the benefits you’re missing out on. For more specific ways on how manufacturing execution systems can be incorporated into your business, be sure to contact us.

Tag: business process management

How Have Manufacturing Execution Systems Changed the Industry?