Factories are intricate ecosystems pulsating with innovation and precision that frequently encounter a paradox: the apparent simplicity of a name can veil a labyrinth of complexity within manufacturing systems. How do we delineate these systems, establishing their boundaries, properties, and designations? Moreover, how do these definitions scale beyond the confines of a single plant and evolve in tandem with technological advancements, shifting cultures, and dynamic processes?
Clarity in defining and naming these systems is important for effective communication, especially when working with stakeholders unfamiliar with the intricacies of plant environments.
Enter MES (Manufacturing Execution System), a term with diverse associations across various manufacturing landscapes. Academic definitions anchored in industry standards like ISA-95 strive to encapsulate what MES and other "Level 3" systems encompass. However, the adaptability of MES leads many manufacturers to craft their bespoke definitions, shaped by industry priorities, technological implementations, and factory cultures.
The ANSI/ISA-95 standard stands as a guiding light, offering a structured Equipment Hierarchy model/Purdue model to structure the technology stack governing plant operations. This framework, spanning Levels 0 to 4, portrays MES nestled in the Manufacturing Operations Management layer—a pivotal orchestrator bridging the operational nuances of Levels 0-2 with the business context of Level 4 systems.
However, the reality often diverges from the standard's ideal. The variations across industry verticals manifests in varied interpretations of MES. In the Auto sector, MES intertwines with "track and trace," emphasizing traceability crucial for every vehicle part. Conversely, in the Food and Beverage realm, MES embodies OEE and Downtime Tracking systems. While in the Life Sciences, it is closest to its comprehensive ISA-95 definition, covering production, quality, inventory, and maintenance.
Moreover, the advent of Industry 4.0 introduces a tapestry of interconnected systems, blurring the confines of traditional MES definitions. As systems generate and consume copious data, functionalities once confined within the MES sphere now sprawl across diverse platforms within the factory.
MES, despite its formal and standards-driven definition, morphs in meaning across environments and industries. Understanding MES solely within one's factory context may limit exploration of diverse capabilities and best practices prevalent in other sectors—a testament to the fluidity of its interpretation.
At Kanoa, our goal is to use these definitions to guide best-in-class manufacturing plants and processes. Our Kanoa MES modules are equally inspired by industry standards, our decades of experience, and the latest trends and innovations in software development. To learn more about MES and how it can transform your manufacturing operations, we encourage you to engage further with our Kanoa MES modules and explore the possibilities they offer.