is the comprehensive system that controls all the activities occurring on the shop floor. It begins with all the various orders from customers, the MRP system, the master schedule, and other planning sources; and then builds the products in the most effective, low cost, expedient, and high- quality way possible. A comparative example occurs in the construction business where the construction team (MES) builds a tower from the architectural plans (inputs from MRP, Master schedule, etc.)
It is therefore imperative to place the right tools and critical information in the hands of your front-line shop floor personnel, so they can produce your products in the most optimal manner possible. A good manufacturing execution system operates on a real time basis, allowing the schedulers to react to immediate variance on the shop floor. The MES also responds immediately to help make faster decisions on such things as costing over-runs, poor quality and late deliveries. It is virtually the heartbeat for all things happening on the shop floor.
