Adding a Manufacturing Execution System to your facility can provide many short- and long-term benefits. However, some manufacturers may be skeptical of implementing an MES due to cost. An MES can help reduce production costs by providing data on how well a factory’sfactory’s equipment is performing. It enables companies to make changes quickly, minimizing waste and saving materials.
Streamlined Operations
An MES can streamline operations throughout your plant as a central system that collects and analyzes data. It generates realistic production schedules, tracks raw materials and parts inventory, and effectively uses the workforce. It translates to reduced wasted material and less time spent re-configuring equipment and processes. In addition, MES systems automatically update inventory records with new material, scrap, and work-in-progress. It reduces just-in-case inventory and improves warehousing, shipping, scheduling, and planning functions. It also lowers operational costs by reducing unnecessary manufacturing, transportation, and storage expenses. Lastly, an MES can automate workflow on the shop floor by coordinating activities with ERP systems. It allows for the automatic transfer of critical data between systems and eliminates manual errors in paper-based systems.
Adding manufacturing execution systems to your factory can dramatically boost efficiency and productivity while improving product quality. While some smaller manufacturers may feel that their production operations or profit margins need to be more significant to justify the investment, they must realize that this technology can pay for itself in increased productivity and reduced operating costs.
Real-time Monitoring
A manufacturing execution system collects production information from a factory’sfactory’s machinery. It is networked and integrated with equipment for accessible data collection, and it connects to enterprise business applications to provide a holistic system that optimizes manufacturing. As a result, the system provides real-time monitoring capabilities and can help reduce the cost associated with poor performance. A well-honed MES solution offers several latent benefits that can make a difference for businesses trying to stay competitive in today’stoday’s global marketplace. These include greater efficiency at lower costs, faster decision-making based on accurate shop floor data, and a more robust understanding of critical processes.
Access to real-time machine data helps minimize overruns, wasted materials, and shortages. It also helps increase overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Moreover, an MES can eliminate product variations by capturing data from the plant floor to identify issues in production and take immediate corrective actions. An MES also helps to reduce inventory by tracking raw materials and parts in the manufacturing system. The system can update inventory records so purchasing, shipping, and scheduling departments have a complete picture of all material needed for production. It eliminates the need for just-in-case inventory, reducing waste and saving money on material handling, storage, and transportation. Additionally, it ensures that the production plan is appropriately set up to match the resources for labor, equipment, and materials that are accessible.
Enhanced Product Quality
A well-honed manufacturing execution system, also known as an MES, does more than control hardware and production processes. It also helps to streamline production costs and improve overall quality, thereby increasing profit potential. For example, an MES allows businesses to eliminate variations in the production process by collecting real-time data that can be used to correct problems as they occur on the shop floor. It can prevent faulty finished products from entering the marketplace and reduce expensive inventory. An MES can also record costs like labor, scrap, and downtime to help managers analyze the actual cost of production and identify unprofitable operations. Combined with an ERP, this system can make business decisions more accurate and provide greater flexibility. Unlike traditional systems, an open MES platform can share information between business systems without being re-programmed. This feature makes connecting, monitoring, and controlling all operations from the plant floor to the top floor easy.
A good MES software solution can provide valuable data on machine performance and output and efficiently collect this data. Additionally, by making sure that all the relevant data is obtained, it might assist in reducing manufacturing delays. It can significantly increase efficiency and productivity. It allows managers to track employee time sheets easily and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). This metric is critical in enhancing profitability.
Lower Operating Costs
With a well-designed manufacturing execution system, optimizing operating costs by improving capacity and quality is possible. MES systems gather data from equipment and people to monitor and control production while delivering critical information for enterprise business applications. A the manufacturer can also reduce overhead expenses by implementing an MES that helps it meet quality standards and achieve compliance with industry regulations. The system can automatically document all work activities, eliminating time-consuming manual processes prone to errors.
Lastly, a manufacturing execution system can help manufacturers increase uptime and minimize inventory levels by creating realistic production schedules and tracking material, human, and machine resources. It can also improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) by identifying problems on the shop floor and reducing waste. While MES systems can help lower operating costs; they are not inexpensive. For small manufacturers, implementing an MES system is a significant investment. However, weighing the benefits of MES against the charges is essential to determine if it is worth the price. A manufacturing execution system can provide several advantages for manufacturers of all sizes. An MES can deliver a solid return on investment by providing real-time monitoring, enhanced product quality, and streamlined operations. For more information on how an MES can benefit your manufacturing operation, contact the SYSCON team today.