manufacturing execution systems

07 Mar 2017

Manufacturing Process, Production & Operations Management Diames 0 comment

How Have Manufacturing Execution Systems Changed the Industry?

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.

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.

14 Feb 2017

MES Applications, Production & Operations Management Diames 0 comment

Improving New Product Introduction with Manufacturing Execution Systems

Anyone in the manufacturing business knows the challenges of New Product Introduction. Translating a market need into a product ready to sell can be a challenge at many different levels. With the help of MES solutions, the manufacturing process of these new products can be closely monitored so no details are missed.

This also goes for calculating more accurate costs and identifying any process that may need to be reevaluated and tweaked for better efficiency. Here are some of the ways manufacturing execution systems can boost the effectiveness of a newly introduced product.

Streamlined Process

Getting a new product right the first time is the best way to succeed with a newly introduced product. The best way to do that is to be on the same page with the design, engineering and production teams. The best thing about MES applications is manufacturers can go through the entire process of making a new product without losing any time along the way. Not only will this create a high quality product the first time, but the costs will also be lower, meaning more profit.

Decreased Challenges, Increased Accuracy

Any time a new product gets developed, there will be challenges along the way. With manufacturing execution systems in place, those challenges decrease because of the data available for use in improving the entire process. The fewer challenges standing in the way before the newly introduced product hits the market, the better accuracy you’ll experience.

Reduced Latency Issues

Latency is one of the most frustrating things about manufacturing. When every level of a new product introduction is on the same page with each other, latency will be reduced drastically. MES applications can provide the real-time information and data needed to monitor the process from start to finish. The real-time information can also help production managers identify problems before they cause larger issues leading to latency.

Keeps Manufacturers Ahead

It seems like before a new product gets introduced, the next one is already in the works. For manufacturing companies, it makes business more profitable, but it can also present challenges because of the rapid movement. Companies have turned to different MES solutions to help create shorter planning and implementation of new product production.

Staying ahead of New Product Introduction is critical for manufacturing companies. Be sure to contact us for more ways MES applications can help make your next newly introduced product a success.