MES systems are the data hub in Industry 4.0 transitions. They are the central point where all manufacturing data is collected and analyzed together.
The Industry 4.0 horizon is filled with allusions to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and how it will help propel manufacturing forward. When the rubber hits the road with these efforts, what does that actually look like?
We know that the data collected by IIoT sensors and networks are to form a data rich environment that helps keep track of shop floor operations in a much better way. These connected sensors and networks of sensors are already in many facilities. Some have their data collected by PLCs or low-level machine management systems. Engineers must extract the data from the machines and analyze their performance separately. For many, this is as far as that data goes. What manufacturers need is a place to collect all that data to analyze it holistically rather than downloading from individual machines and controllers and attempting to consolidate this data in home-grown spreadsheets.
The answer is a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) like MV2. MES systems have been doing this sort data collection and analysis for thirty years and are designed from the ground up to provide these abilities. There’s several reasons why MES systems are the keystone for a successful IIoT strategy.
MES is designed from the start to be the central collection point for IIoT data
At its core, a manufacturing execution system is the database for production operations. As such, it has been purpose built to collect not just machine data but information about human-based processes, inventory and materials operations. All this data is stored in a single database that can be accessed by managers or through customized applications.
MES can directly interact with sensor systems to collect data
Manufacturing execution systems are designed to command and collect data from a large number of machines, PLCs and other machine management systems. With proper integration, nearly any production system can send data to the MES – even machines and operations that pre-date electronic sensors can be instrumented to report production data to the MES.
MES is built to analyze data from a variety of sources to build value from IIoT investments
Finding the greatest amount of efficiency and throughput in shop floor operations is all about properly analyzing the data available. With IIoT manufacturing data, managers can get a next-level understanding of what’s happening on the shop floor. That can be seen easily through an MES like MV2. The system is designed to bring all recorded production data together in one place and display it in real time or over time. No more waiting for data dump from certain departments or collating paper forms.
While these are just a few of the reasons why it’s necessary to employ a manufacturing execution system like MV2 as the hub for IIoT strategies, there’s many more.
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Contact us today to learn how MV2 can be the key to Industry 4.0 Â success in your manufacturing operations.
