How Industries eXcellence Delivers MES
Why MES?
In order to deliver a competitive product to the market, today’s
manufacturing organization has to improve their product quality, reduce
production costs and minimize lead time all at the same time. How is this
possible? We say with the right Manufacturing Execution System (MES) in place.
A Manufacturing Execution System is a digital control system designed for the management
and monitoring of work-in-process on the factory floor. An MES keeps track of
all manufacturing information in real time, receiving up-to-the-minute data
from robots, machine monitors and employees. What’s the point? The goal of an
effective Manufacturing Execution System is to improve productivity and reduce
cycle times by monitoring, synchronizing and optimizing real-time production
activities, and often across globally distributed plants.
How We Deliver MES
1. System Requirements
The successful delivery of an MES solution starts with requirements gathering. This is easily the most vital step in the process. During this stage, our team analyzes the customer’s manufacturing process in depth to better understand what will be required of the MES system. How might the current process benefit from the implementation of an MES system?
2. Business Requirements
Equally as important in this stage of the project is understanding what, exactly, the customer’s business is looking to achieve with MES software. What is the business need? What does a successful implementation look like? Understanding how the process works, what areas could benefit most, and what the customer’s business drivers are across different departments provides vital information for our experts and downstream project activities.
3. System Integration Requirements
In addition to the requirements gathered above, it is also important to understand what types of integrations will be required of the MES software. Although MES software can operate in a stand-alone scenario, this is rarely the case. In truth, performing integrations between MES software and other enterprise or shop floor level software provides significantly more value by expanding the capabilities of all software applications involved. Understanding what integrations need to take place early on in the project planning phase helps our team ensure smooth project execution down the line.
4. Solution Roadmap & Vendor Selection
After requirements have been gathered, they must be analyzed. In this stage, our team determines if an MES solution can accomplish the tasks required by the business need, as well as which particular MES application best fits that customer’s specific requirements and priorities. While MES software is generally pretty flexible, there are some instances in which custom extension of the selected MES software package may be required. If that is the case, our development team joins the conversation to determine the extent of the custom development needed.
5. System Design & Implementation
Once the plan has been thoroughly developed, the actual implementation process begins. If any custom extensions or integrations are required, they are built first. Following that, the selected MES software is installed and configured. Finally, any standard integrations are set up and tested. Upon completion of the implementation phase, extensive testing takes place. This testing is a critical component of the process. It is vital to ensure that the newly implemented MES application functions to fully meet customer expectations and business needs. Moreover, as the newly implemented MES system will likely become a key component in the production process, it is vital to ensure that the application is stable and working as designed.
6. Ongoing System Support & Training
Finally, after a successful implementation, the ongoing support and training phases begin. Training resources within our organization ensure that the customer’s end users are able to operate the MES system without continual full-time support. Additionally, it enables key individuals within the customer organization to understand the fundamentals of the new MES system as well as see and quantify the value added by the MES system in action.
Our Advantage
In addition to a leading global team of some of the top MES technical experts in the world, Engineering Industries eXcellence has built a strong footprint across the entire spectrum of digital tools and systems for achieving manufacturing excellence. Ultimately, the goal of a Manufacturing Execution System solution is to improve productivity and reduce cycle times while still producing quality products. Engineering customers who have partnered with our Industries eXcellence team for their MES initiative have seen the following benefits:
- Reduced scrap and waste
- Increased up-time
- Minimized just-in-case inventory
- More informed decisions about production
- Improved quality
- Improved throughput
- Improved machine and operator performance
- Reduced overall production costs
- Achieved an efficient, paperless shop floor
