MES (Manufacturing Execution System)
A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) manages and tracks production on the shop floor in real time — work orders, materials, quality, machine status and traceability — bridging the gap between ERP planning and the control layer.
MES sits between business systems (ERP) and process control (SCADA/PLC). It executes and monitors the actual making of products: scheduling work orders, tracking materials and genealogy, recording quality and downtime, and providing the data for OEE. A well-run MES is central to traceability and to continuous improvement programmes.
Related terms
SCADA · OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) · Industry 4.0