“Set and forget” is never a strategy for improvement. Even in the context of aligning with corporate IT standards, plant floor teams still need to constantly strive for continuous improvement – and that means being able to adapt their MES to achieve operational excellence. Additionally, critical issues such as quality problems can require fast adjustments.
Here are the top reasons why MES customization is crucial for manufacturing teams:
1. Flexibility for Dynamic Production
Manufacturing environments are constantly evolving – whether related to products, production lines, workforce changes, consolidation, regulations, and more.
MES customization allows OT teams to quickly adapt to these changes without needing extensive support from IT.
This flexibility ensures that the MES can support new and improved workflows, keeping production agile and responsive to business and market demands.
2. Enhancing Operational Efficiency
Customized MES solutions are tailored to the specific needs of individual plants, ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently. By allowing plant floor teams to modify the MES to better suit their processes, manufacturers can minimize downtime and optimize performance. This results in higher overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and better utilization of resources.
3. Supporting Continuous Improvement
Beyond operational efficiency, continuous improvement and quality management are both cornerstones of modern manufacturing. Plant floor teams are perpetually seeking ways to enhance production processes, reduce waste, and improve quality.
MES customization provides the tools needed to implement these improvements quickly and effectively. By enabling teams to make adjustments, manufacturers can drive ongoing enhancements and maintain competitiveness.
4. Increasing Quality
If there’s a quality issue, plant teams need to act fast, and the MES must adapt to critical needs. Quality issues often require immediate stop-gap actions, followed by longer term solutions and corrective actions. The MES not only affords short- and long-term corrective actions, it also serves as a means to validate their effectiveness.
5. Reducing Costs
An adaptable MES solution can significantly reduce costs associated with system changes and customizations. Traditional out-of-the-box MES solutions may require expensive modifications and ongoing IT support. In contrast, a customizable MES allows OT teams to make changes more easily, lowering overall costs and freeing up resources.
6. Empowering Plant Floor Teams
By allowing plant floor teams to customize their MES, manufacturers empower their OT teams to take ownership of their processes. This collaborative autonomy fosters innovation and encourages team members to identify and implement improvements. Empowered OT teams are more motivated and engaged, driving better results on the plant floor.
7. Delivering Information-Based Decision-Making
With a customizable MES, OT teams have access to data tailored to their specific needs. This enables them to make informed decisions quickly, optimizing production processes and addressing issues as they arise. Real-time decision-making is critical for maintaining efficiency and ensuring that manufacturing operations remain agile and responsive.
MES customization is crucial for plant floor teams striving for continuous improvement. It enhances flexibility, operational efficiency, and cost savings while empowering OT teams and aligning IT and OT objectives. By supporting decision-making and fostering innovation, customized MES solutions are key to achieving operational excellence and maintaining competitiveness in today’s dynamic manufacturing landscape.
Ready to support your continuous improvement and quality management by easily adapting your MES? Contact Matrix Automation to find out how we’ve helped assembly manufacturers meet the needs of both IT and OT on more than 4,000 projects.