3 Major Differences Between an MES and ERP System

Digitization is nothing new for manufacturers; it helps improve scheduling, automation and monitoring from the frontlines of the plant floor and the supply chain to all the way to the top floor. There are several systems used to help with this — MES and ERP being particularly commonly used in manufacturing. While MESs and ERPs are often confused with each other, they are, in fact, very different in their functionality. 

What is an MES?

A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) in its simplest form, is software that enables manufacturing companies to keep track of and monitor their raw materials and goods. The purpose of an MES is to gain insight into manufacturing operations to analyze what can be done to improve performance as well as to cut costs and maximize production efficiency. An MES can perform the following functions: 

• Collect 

  r

  eal-time data

  : 

  Since MES systems are integrated right into factory machinery, 

  i

  nformation 

  is collected 

  in real

  –

  time

   

  to keep track of production

   efforts

  . 

   

• Enable p

  roduction analysis

  :

   

  A way to gain

   insight into manufacturing operations including resour

  ce use, production cycle time and 

  scheduling conformance. 

   

• Enforc

  e

   process requirements

  : 

  By having an enforced process, 

  steps 

  are 

  in place to make sure every product is built

   to 

  spec

  .

   

  For example, 

  if a machine requires three parts to interlock

  , t

  he machine knows to expect these

   three

   particular parts

   to fit

   in place

   and 

  will not run if there 

  a

  re only two parts inserted or

  ,

   more likely, the operator mis-positioned one of them

  .

Benefits of an MES:

Real Time Visibility and Monitoring

You can get a full scope of your MES data in real- time to analyze performance and maximize how you can improve your production line. 

Reduction in Operation Cost

An MES system keeps track of costs into labor, downtime and maintenance in real–time. Utilizing this data, an MES can identify how to optimize and make the most of budget and expense in running a plant.  

Improvement in Productivity

With insights into your plant floor operations, you’ll be able to manage your production line to run at its peak potential to make the most use out of materials, labor hours and scheduling.  

What is an ERP?

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is software used to manage operational activity such as plant scheduling, order processing, inventory management and customer service. Compared to an MES, manufacturing ERP software is geared to optimize business performance by providing reports into business operations and identifying where processes can be streamlined. An ERP can perform the following roles:

• Oversee business operations: An ERP gives you accessibility to all business operational data through only one system. 
• Performs scheduling: From plant workers to shipping, an ERP system lets you schedule all functions of the plant. 
• Integrates business process with manufacturing processes: While ERP systems aren’t integrated with the machines on the plant floor, they gather information from them to ensure they’re running effectively to require as little maintenance as possible.
• Track materials: Get insight into raw materials to allocate resources appropriately to maximize cost efficiency.  

Benefits of an ERP:

Better Inventory Control

Stock can be monitored closely to analyze what products are in high demand to get the most out of your inventory. 

Better Customer Experience

With better production planning and control, manufacturers can deliver products on time, which in turn means improved customer satisfaction.  

Mitigation of Risk

By automating certain business operations, human error is reduced to streamline processes. Compliance can also be regularly monitored to ensure that the manufacturing plant is continuing to adhere to regulations, which minimizes risk even further. 

What are the Differences Between MES and ERP?

1.

Functionality

As previously mentioned, ERP and MES systems serve different roles in manufacturing plants. An ERP system is mostly focused on scheduling and quantitative analysis, while MES manages the actual shop-floor process and operations of your production line in real–time. 

2. How Data is Captured

 and Delivered 

Another difference is the timing of how reporting is delivered. For an MES system, reports are available in real–time. An ERP system gives a general report over a period of time, i.e., hours, days, months or years. 

3. 

System 

I

ntegration

MES systems are usually integrated directly to machines on the factory floor — which is how data is delivered instantaneously. ERP systems, however, are not integrated within devices. Instead, it is integrated as software working with business applications such as CRMs (Customer Relationships Management) and marketing tools.