Overview
A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is not only an enabler for global manufacturing, it is also a requirement. Manufacturing Execution Systems cover the complete gamut of production activities from order launch to finished goods. They use current data from the shop floor activities as they occur. This helps in rapid response to a situation, and thereby reduces waste and errors.
In an era of global and collaborative manufacturing, it is imperative that manufacturing shop floor information is visible in the boardroom on a real time basis, or at least near real time basis to enable informed decision-making throughout the supply chain. A modern supply chain enables a demand-driven production and a faster response to market needs.
The process industry was the driving force behind many of the concepts of MES, including genealogy, electronic signatures, quality control, specifications, batch execution, paperless batch etc. Of particular importance for this industry is to ensure process quality, efficiency and safety.
With a deep focus on the plant floor, manufacturers are looking at MES as a competitive edge rather than a technology investment. The need for an MES solution varies depending on the complexity and level of automation required. For example, one manufacturer may want to capture processing parameters of equipment on an hourly basis or only once per shift which is a medium level of automation. There may be another manufacturer who would want to integrate their SCADA/PLC with MES applications on real time or near real time basis, which would mean a high level of automation.
MES has a high potential for new plant construction, particularly when the production has a high degree of automation and material flow. MES reduces the expenses for the documentation of production data, Batch losses due to event management and functions of the MES systems are dramatically reduced. The functions of MES go far beyond the horizontal and vertical integration, MES is positioned as an independent system of its functions, in various models such as the NAMUR S-88 or the MESA-c-MES model has been described. MES will benefit greatly from new technologies. With the distribution of radio-based mobile terminals and notepads with integrated scanners this opens up a maximum flexibility and freedom of movement in manufacturing plants of the process industry. The Web technology opens the way for Web-based Systems to be networked in production. The companies are global “on-time-and on-location” which means they can get real-time date at their mobile terminals. In addition, an efficient and integrated MES provides full visibility, real-time monitoring of production lines according to the different roles, tasks and permissions in production management of the process industry.
The companies from the food and beverage industry for example are currently engaged in intensive discussion, on what the requirements of the new EU Directive on traceability can cover. MES will play certainly a role here. Biotechnology and Pharma has its specific production processes, with particularly high demands on the equipment management and scheduling - a further application for MES. For the chemical industry improvement in productivity and flexibility in manufacturing is one of the greatest challenges.
The tougher the competition, the shorter the product life-cycle, and stricter the statutory requirements, the most important it is to have an integrated system which makes all relevant processes, production and business data available at all times - throughout all company levels and for the complete value chain.
These are just some of a number of reasons to believe that the importance of MES will only increase.
Now, most companies from the process industry already have an MES (or similar system) or are thinking about implementation. It is now time to expand the level of integration and automation further in order to respond to changing market demands.
In this line, the “Global MES Masters 2012” taking place 20 and 21 September 2012 at MARITIM Hotel Bad Homburg, Germany, will provide the outstanding opportunity to assess and elaborate on challenges and solutions that lead towards competitive advantages: finding the right MES excellence strategy for process manufacturers worldwide.
If you would like to read the complete conference programme please contact:
Moritz Wagner
Conference Producer
econique business masters GmbH & Co. KG
Fidicinstr. 3
D-10965 Berlin
Tel +49 (0)30 - 802080 483
Fax +49 30 80 20 804-30
E-Mail: moritz.wagner@econique.com
Internet: www.business-masters.econique.com
