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Manufacturing Execution System
This is an information system in the true sense of the word at the company’s service, and encompasses the main fields of production control. It enables the many participants from different departments of a company who have a link to production to work in their specialised field in a unique and homogenous system. Enabling data correlation, MES accentuates the power of analysis and of reporting without implementing an interface between different systems. MES is aimed at obtaining an immediate and global vision of production on the resources as a whole (materials, equipment, personnel). It has the capacity to project itself into the past by implementing historisation and/or traceability.

Positioned at level 3 on the CIM pyramid, it is the indispensable mediator between the Production Management System (ERP CAPM CRM supply chain APS) and the systems or needs linked to real-time necessities of production (workshop, production line, Scada, control command).

Encompassing the global needs of production, MES has 3 objectives which together, improve productivity, competitivity, and help to maintain market share or to strengthen its position in highly competitive sectors.

The ISA, Instrumentation Systems and Automation Society (an organisation of reference in the establishment of standards applicable in the field of automation and production systems) has established the overall concepts applicable for MES through the standard S95.

Divided into 3 parts, (1,2 and 3) this standard is monitored by a large number of editors, consultants and integrators to facilitate the approach in this field.

Among the numerous domains covered, MES meets all or part of the production operation management model cited in standard S95. This model identifies the domains which should be covered by MES and it answers to the subjects or problems posed, in order to better manage its fabrication or production as a whole. For example:
  Traceability and geneology of products
  Allocation of resources (materials, equipment, personnel) -depending on their state
  Dispatching of work orders/lots.
  Quality and Process Management (SQC/SPC)
  Management of maintenance indicators.
  Performance management of equipment etc.

Nowadays, the majority of constructors of automation offer MES. Specialised editors also offer a solution in their field. Investment in MES is constantly increasing. Numerous industries have chosen this solution because competition is becoming increasingly fierce, which must be tackled.