Acronyms and acronyms, sometimes it’s a bit of a blur. The MES (manufacturing execution system) once sat all by itself. Then came MOM (manufacturing operations management). How did we get from MES to MOM, and what does it all mean?
In The Beginning There Was MES
In the 1990s, MES was first used by AMR. It was the natural heir to the term computer integrated manufacturing (CIM). CIM had its beginnings in the late 1980s at Purdue University. This period came before most of the standards were established. Still, the ISA-95 and ERP hadn’t begun to take root. The manufacturing execution system (MES) is an information system. It provides connectivity that monitors and controls complicated manufacturing systems and data streams. The information allows manufacturers to optimize their production activities. It begins with product formulation and continues until production is complete. MES helped businesses to gain clarity and control of their shop floor.
Then Came MOM
By the year 2000, standardization and MOM came into the picture. It was part of the standardization and batch processes. MOM covered specific activities where business processes were defined. The Purdue Industrial Engineering Department is a standard used in Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM). This standard is the CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) Purdue Reference Model. It can be considered as part of the industry process model for a manufacturing business.
Why the Shift from MES to MOM?
Due to market conditions, many original MES systems were purpose-built closed systems. This meant they could not be configured quickly. They lacked the flexibility required to adapt to evolving business demands. Early on, MES was felt to be a costly and risky effort that usually did not deliver on primary return on investment (ROI) goals. MES left a need to be met in managing manufacturing operations. The industry waited for a solution that could combine the shop level with the top floor.
The Debate Between MES VS MOM
Both MES and MOM a part of the same domain, the management, and control of manufacturing operations. An MES system will also execute real-time manufacturing operations (MOM). It will allow the company to commit to perpetual improvement, for example:
- better inter-department communication (synchronization, coordination and flow centralization)
- a streamlining of manufacturing processes
- agreement with regulatory requirements
- administration of controlled inventory
- optimized quality monitoring
- precise traceability of the process and commodities
- analysis and continuous performance enhancement
Some people may think the terms are interchangeable. Yet, even though they fall into the same area, they aren’t the same. Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) focuses on the plant floor. Whereas MOM solutions incorporate flexibility and scalability. To become a real enterprise application, you need them both. Manufacturing operations management, or MOM as it was called to set it apart. It was established to show that ERP is being pushed fully into the MES (plant floor) sector. It includes the functionality of both MES and ERP. Thus, it is uniting information systems. So, while MES and MOM aren’t the same, they are part of each other for sure.
MOM and IoT (Internet of Things)
The certainty for manufacturers today is they can’t gain many of the advantages imagined by the cloud. Automation and IoT require that these technologies work together in an orchestrated, collaborative, intelligence-enabled manner across disciplines (operations, planning, design, quality, etc.). There is an increasing need for seamless information sharing across the layers of technology from all systems. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has added many things into automation systems. Smart machines, smart products, smart materials, and smart devices all produce a massive amount of data. This data can be shared from the shop floor through the cloud. The data keeps other parts of the product lifecycle, such as design, sales, and supply chain in the loop.
How CRM can Improve MOM
A rivalry has always existed between sales and manufacturing departments. They are both deeply linked to their processes. Sales form the basis for what’s produced, and what’s produced is what can be sold. Due to this combined need, the friction between these two departments can be intense. Still, linking two enterprise applications is not something businesses should take lightly. The integration doesn’t tend to occur suddenly and takes a lot of planning. There are several ways and possible benefits to interchanging data. There are significant ways you can enhance manufacturing operations when CRM and ERP work together:
- Near-Term Production Planning
Linking the CRM system to the ERP system allows businesses to exchange data. Short-term production planning is optimized through shared data. Since they are able to see sales forecasts, the manufacturing unit can adjust production schedules sooner.
- Real Cost and Profit Numbers
Cost data is usually kept in both the CRM system and the ERP system. This data may differ from system to system. Moving to a single version will mean that manufacturing can prioritize based on the data. Thereby they can reduce the value of stored inventory.
- Long-Term Forecasting Predictions
The CRM system functions as the first warning system. At the least, salespeople put client interest information and possibilities into the CRM system for future sales. A more in-depth analysis of changes in product purchases that will occur in the medium to long term range. Getting this information to manufacturing by consolidating CRM and ERP can help influence future profitability.
- Improve Inventory Levels between Locations
By understanding the orders about to come in, manufacturing can transport finished items between shipping points. Thereby using combined shipments to save money.
The Future of MOM
Inspired by the digital transformation trend, manufacturing operations management (MOM) and manufacturing execution systems (MES) software are changing. It has restructured manufacturing and production. Today’s manufacturing products are growing more personalized. Due to industry demands, businesses are imposing new generation manufacturing operations management (MOM) and MES technologies. The MOM software market capacity may reach USD 7.45 billion by 2023 per a new report. This digital transformation of manufacturing operations is a boon. An excellent benefit to the manufacturing operations management (MOM) software market. Businesses using MES, having many manufacturing streams with many shop floors, have systems that do not communicate with each other. MOM systems do a lot more to help companies to make fast, smart, and efficient determinations.
Moving From MES to MOM
MOM erases the difficulties by replacing all your systems with a single, integrated, intelligent management system. This system accumulates data from each of your manufacturing methods. A MOM system will assist your business in managing the manufacturing process from end to end.
What’s Next
When you’re ready to take your business to the next level, consider a move from MES to MOM using a solution from D4M International. Making an informed decision will set your company on the way to profitably with manufacturing products that will carry it into the future. Get in touch today!
Eric Ibarra, Global Service Delivery
Email: eric.ibarra@r3d.com
Phone: +1(248)909-9355
