What exactly is MES? It stands for Manufacturing Execution System. An MES System is a dynamic information system that drives the effective execution of manufacturing operations. Using current and accurate data, MES guides, triggers and reports on plant activities as they occur. The MES set of functions manages production operations from point of order release into manufacturing to point of product delivery into finished goods. MES provides mission critical information about production activities to everyone across the organization and supply chain.

The goals of MES are to improve productivity, reduce manufacturing costs, reduce cycle time, reduce inventory, and deliver high quality goods/product in a timely fashion. MES helps obtain these goals by providing the software tools to schedule production, track work flow, perform tests, track quality issues and more.

The MES ERP link'

It used to be what happened on the plant floor stayed on the plant floor. The MES system, a central system for managing all manufacturing information such as resource allocation, manufacturing planning, supply chain information and quality inspection data, operated as an isolated and self-contained system. Similarly, the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, which pulls together and stores business operating information about human resources, accounting, customer relationship management and other financials, operated independently. Both systems have always been critical to the manufacturing operation, but until recently, had never been linked.

The MES/ERP advantage'

However, during the past five years, experts say many manufacturers have realized that by linking these two systems, they can create an integrated system stretching from headquarters across multiple factory floors, warehouses, engineering centers and even sales offices. This allows them to more easily view all company operations and refine them as quickly as necessary. A more holistic view of purchasing, credit, accounting, supply chain management and manufacturing planning gives them greater agility and better data to aid in decision making and forecasting -- from sales and purchases to asset utilization, hiring, and manufacturing planning.