Is IndustryApps a Manufacturing Execution System (MES)?

A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is an IT system that connects, monitors, and controls manufacturing operations on the factory floor. The primary goal of an MES is to ensure effective execution of manufacturing operations and improve production output through digitalization.

Functions such as maintenance, quality, inventory, and production management are defined in ISA-95, an international standard that ensures they can effectively integrate with other systems and processes within the manufacturing enterprise. Traditionally, these functions are sold as modules in monolithic implementations. Since the inception of the Industry 4.0 buzzword, there are literally thousands of vendors that implement parts of these functions, marketed as MMS, QMS, WMS, etc.

 MES core functions includes production scheduling, resource allocation, dispatching of work orders, data collection, and performance analysis. MES systems enable real-time exchange of information between different parts of the manufacturing process. This includes data on production orders, inventory levels, machine status, quality control, and more. These data exchanges are necessary to calculate critical KPIs like OEE, MTTR, MTBF, and FTY.

 MES operates at Level 3 of ISA-95 and is therefore the core for vertical integration, ensuring seamless communication and data exchange between different levels of the manufacturing process, from enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems (Level 4 or IT) to the physical production processes (Level 2 or OT). MES is where vertical integration happens.

  IndustryApps: More than an MES

   IndustryApps performs all the functions of an MES previously described, but it is much more. It’s an Industrial DataSpace where information is available within a site for vertical integration, but also for horizontal integration across sites and with customers.

 Functions inside Apps :

   In IndustryApps, the functions at all levels of the automation pyramid are called apps and are available in an AppStore. These apps work seamlessly together and are deployed as SaaS models. This allows customers a high level of flexibility to curate a focused pool of applications for their enterprises, even incorporating in-house developments and existing vendors.