5 Ways You Can Optimize Production Today with MES

The benefits of an MES go beyond just solving problems. You should also consider the increased production a system will bring for your investment. A Smart MES or Paperless Manufacturing system will improve shop floor production, letting you get more products out the door without adding people, machines or product lines. Many manufacturers don’t understand or appreciate how the software delivers these benefits. They focus solely on their list of requirements without considering the increased production a system can deliver relatively quickly. These companies end up waiting to install or upgrade, losing the increased production a system offers.

Productivity Benefits of Paperless Manufacturing

Productivity benefits are easy to see once you understand the advantages of the system to workflow processes. Here are 5 benefits to production manufacturers enjoy with an MES in place:

• Automated processes. A software system will automate many processes that contribute to non-value added time. Consider how much time is spent looking for the correct production plans. A Paperless Manufacturing system ensures the shop floor has the correct plans the moment they are needed, ensuring workers focus on production. During production a system can manage the change control process at the push of a key.

• Management of critical information. An MES system contextualizes information so users have critical data, such as machine set-up, when and where they need it. Rather than leaving their work station to find the instructions, they access what they need at the press of a button.

• Improved communications. How much time does a shop floor worker spend searching for answers? How many problems happen because a worker decides not to seek an answer? A Paperless Manufacturing system improves collaboration by facilitating communication between key stakeholders, providing a single platform for managing production and recording all activities.

• Development of real-time analytics. Analytics improve decision making. By automating the reporting process and giving users access to real time data, better decisions can be made using the most relevant information. In addition, employees tasked with assembling data can be moved to more useful projects once the reporting is done in the system.

• Reduction or elimination of errors. How much time and resources are wasted in rework or scrap? A software system significantly reduces rework by ensuring workers have the latest, most complete planning. Automated tolerance checks, another benefit of the software, will often catch errors as they happen.  Setting up a feedback loop in the system ensures errors are corrected quickly and with minimal effort.

The benefits we’ve presented here are not the only improvements to production you will find in a system. They represent some of the core features, and can be implemented quickly with the right system.  Many companies initially implement software to solve a critical production problem, but quickly benefit not only from the solution, but increased production.

Want to learn more, or see how Paperless Manufacturing can improve production results at your facility? Contact CIMx today and request a Shop Floor Analysis.Our team of application engineers will work with you to produce a personalized view of data-driven manufacturing for your shop floor.