Business Strategy: MES Strategies Part 1 -- Importance and Challenges of Real-time Manufacturing Execution

Abstract

In this report, Manufacturing Insights investigates the critical challenges that currently drive manufacturers to increase their business priority towards improving manufacturing operations processes.

After the analysis of how improvements in manufacturing operations can support manufacturers in dealing with current economic challenges, Manufacturing Insights explains how a modern MES (manufacturing execution system) application spans well beyond the mere traditional coverage of shop floor management.

"Research findings demonstrate that, today, manufacturers have very good reasons to undertake a thorough transformation of their operations management, aiming towards real-time manufacturing," said Pierfrancesco Manenti, EMEA research director, Manufacturing Insights. "The new challenges requested by real-time manufacturing execution expose the weaknesses and fragmented nature of software applications currently used by the industry. Additionally, the need for a tighter integration between ERP and shop-floor data, wider interoperability and data standards, and better manufacturing intelligence and visibility becomes readily apparent."