Manufacturing Execution System (MES) — definition
Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is software that manages and tracks production orders, work-in-progress, quality data and material consumption on the shop floor in real time.
MES typically sits between enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and control-level systems such as SCADA and PLCs, translating production schedules into shop-floor instructions and feeding back actual performance, quality and traceability data. It commonly supports functions such as genealogy tracking, work order dispatch and downtime recording.
Why it matters to industrial buyers
MES gives management traceability and real-time production visibility needed for quality compliance, regulatory reporting and continuous improvement initiatives such as OEE tracking.
Key reference points
Position in hierarchy
MES commonly sits between ERP at the business level and SCADA/PLC at the control level, per common automation pyramid models.
Common functions
Order dispatch, traceability, quality data capture and downtime tracking are common MES functions.
Commonly confused with
SCADA
SCADA focuses on real-time equipment monitoring and control; MES manages production orders, traceability and business-level shop-floor data.
How it is used in practice
The MES recorded batch genealogy data linking raw material lots to finished product codes for regulatory traceability.
Frequently asked questions
Is MES required for every factory?
No, smaller operations may manage production tracking manually or with simpler systems; MES becomes more valuable with complexity and traceability requirements.
Does MES replace ERP?
No, MES manages shop-floor execution while ERP manages broader business planning such as finance and procurement.
Go deeper on the platform
Related terms
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is a software system that monitors and controls distributed industrial processes by collecting data from field controllers and presenting it for centralised operator oversight.
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
Composite performance metric combining availability, performance and quality rates to express how effectively a production asset converts planned time into good output.
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) refers to networks of connected sensors, devices and machines that collect and exchange operational data to support monitoring, analytics and automation across a facility.
Digital Twin
Digital twin is a virtual model of a physical machine, line or facility that is kept synchronised with real operational data to support simulation, monitoring or predictive analysis.
Industrial Automation
Industrial automation is the use of control systems, robotics and information technology to operate production equipment and processes with reduced manual intervention.
Warehouse Automation
Warehouse automation is the application of automated storage, retrieval and material handling technology to receive, store, pick and dispatch goods with reduced manual handling.
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Reference content only. Global B2B Group is independent of equipment manufacturers and financing institutions; definitions are provided for education and do not constitute engineering, financial or legal advice.