In 1992 AMR Research (now part of Gartner) first coined the term MES (Manufacturing Execution System) when it introduced a new approach to the production process, dividing it into three levels: planning, execution and control. MESA (Manufacturing Enterprise Solution Association) defines MES as a dynamic information system, which leads to the efficient execution of production processes.

Today’s business environment is more competitive than ever. The need for accurate information in real time, is a one-way street and requires the flow of data both within the company and in external circuits with the required security. Decisions now to be efficient, are not made based on feeling (feeling good decision making) but based on algorithmic data (fact based decision making).

The solution to the above is the digitization of all the processes of the organization. Typically, modern businesses follow this trend in all business processes (financial management, sales organization, accounting, etc.), adopting modern fourth-level software systems (ERP, Payroll, etc.).

In particular, in the manufacturing industry, due to special needs, automation technologies are often adopted that are accompanied by first and second level information systems (sensors, PLC, Scada, etc.).

The problem that often arises is that there is a gap in communication and, consequently, in the flow of information between the above systems. This gap is covered by Operations Information Network, which includes Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), which also incorporates Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) specifically designed for the manufacturing industry. . In collaboration with ERPs and systems in the field of production and warehousing, MES completes the digitization of the company and leads it to the “next day”.

In the next article we will see how a company can evaluate MES systems and find the best one for their needs.