The Role of Manufacturing Execution Systems

Abstract

In this chapter we gave an overview of an MES and its role within a manufacturer’s IT infrastructure. We outlined the typical structure of a manufacturing company along a layered model of the company’s processes and supporting IT functionality. Against the background of this model, we presented the functionality of an MES and described how it is integrated into the enterprise information infrastructure. We discussed tasks and functions of an MES in detail, as well as the relevant processes for an MES. We set a special focus on data collection during manufacturing, which covers technologies for data capturing as well as data processing and communication on lower system levels. Here we explicitly addressed integration issues with devices on the plant floor. The chapter ended with a discussion of RFID’s impact on various functional areas of an MES, including why these functional areas are influenced by RFID technology.