MES gets connected

By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 8/1/2000

Until now, most people thought of manufacturing execution systems (MES) as being focused within the four walls of the factory. But that is already proving to be an outmoded approach, says Fred Sheriff, vice president operations systems at Kraft Foods North America.

In his keynote speech at the MES Conference & Exposition 2000, Sheriff said MES still has control over shop floor activities but it is now connected to what is happening elsewhere in the enterprise and beyond.

At Kraft, MES are plant systems that provide a common set of information tools, share information across operations, allow Kraft to correlate data for knowledge, and build the knowledge base for all supply chain users.

The key MES drivers at Kraft are improving quality, supply chain leadership, driving down costs, aligning people and work, and extending the enterprise.

In order to harness the MES capability, Sheriff says you need to create an electronic business enterprise. He offers three strategies to achieve this: One set of information/work practices; user-friendly systems capability with accurate information; or e-business capability - real-time information.

To have success in MES connectivity, Sheriff stressed that you have to be clear about business drivers, get connected, participate in the changing environment, be detail-oriented, and remove your barriers.