The MES system is an extensive and advanced IT tool designed for the industry. Its purpose is to aggregate the processes existing in the company that have a direct impact on production. The MES system focuses on monitoring and accounting for production processes, thanks to which it supports production managers in data analysis and making optimization decisions.

The benefits of implementing MES class system can be considered on many levels. Modern software for the industry affects the optimization of production and reduces its costs, thanks to the possibility of better control over production and faster response to downtimes. Sensors can immediately detect disturbances in the process, allowing for a quick response. The MES system also means better control over the quality of the products that the customer receives. What's more, a flexible approach to production allows you to get more orders. Each of these factors significantly affects the final profit of the company in the context of, among others: time, increase in the most important process indicators, cost reduction and increase in profits. In addition, the benefits of implementation can be considered from the perspective of departments in the company, and thus employees at various levels of management. The biggest beneficiaries of the implementation of the MES system in the company are the following departments: production, maintenance, logistics, quality, purchasing and sales.

These systems support various areas of the company's activity. Typically, the ERP system is used to support accounting, financial and administrative departments. The APS system supports production planning and scheduling. On the other hand, MES class solutions are a tool dedicated to the production area.
The ERP system also gives the possibility of integrating information from different departments and different systems (including APS and MES) into one database. However, this system usually does not have the ability to analyze information on an ongoing basis and does not allow for comprehensive control of production processes. For this purpose, the MES (Manufacturing Execution System) and APS (Advanced Planning & Scheduling) systems are used.
The ERP system supported by MES integrates information about production events with HR and accounting information. Thanks to this, it provides a full range of real-time data on the status and parameters of production. This allows for a thorough analysis of production costs and profitability.
The APS system is dedicated to managers and planners to optimize and plan production. The functionalities of this system enable the creation of optimal production plans, simulations of various production scenarios, and also enable reactions to failures or any changes in the production plan. The information contained in the APS system can be an information input for the MES class solution.

Raion systems are fully capable of integrating with any ERP/APS/CMMS/WMS systems. Integration with IT systems can take place in several ways: by using the API, sharing database views or exchanging files. So far, we have integrated our solutions, e.g. with: SAP, Impuls, iScala Comarch XL and ZMT.

The implementation time depends on the number of functionalities launched in the system and the number of machines/workstations covered by the MES system. The average implementation of an MES system lasts approximately 6 to 9 months. This is the time counted from the beginning of the implementation to signing the acceptance protocols. Each implementation is divided into stages. In the first stage, all the necessary hardware is ordered, the application server is prepared, the necessary cabling is launched and all arrangements are made regarding the operation of the target application. In the second phase, all hardware is assembled, signals from the machines are connected and the application is launched in the production area. In the last stage of implementation, the application is production tested and the last configuration elements are implemented.

The application has many views that facilitate the collection and analysis of production data. The collected data is presented in the form of charts, timeline charts, Gantt charts, visualizations launched on TV in the office and production area, and a reporting service. For managers, there are dedicated managerial screens that present information in a clear and legible way, with the ability to go from general to detail in the context of monitoring the entire production plant, a group of workstations and individual production workstations. Raion systems are ready to be integrated with a permitted BI system.

The MES system in the case of the Raion application is a fully configurable solution. This means that the system is created on the basis of a pre-implementation analysis or a detailed list of functionalities prepared by the client. The system has modules that generally describe the functional scope of the application, while the exact way it works requires clarification and, in some cases, additional work by developers. Raion has a team of programmers who will perform the necessary actions to precisely match the application to the needs of the end user.

No, a MES solution is applicable to all industries and types of production. The application focuses on monitoring the production process and monitoring its specific parameters. The most important element of the system's operation is the appropriate supply of information, while the entire reporting process, production settlement is an element of customization carried out during the implementation.

Yes, for the MES system it does not matter whether the information about the quantities produced, rejections and errors during production will come declaratively from the operator or directly from the machine / production line. The system very often functions in a hybrid form, combining information from machine workstations and manual workstations. In the case of machine workstations, the operator should control, update and categorize all events recorded by MES system.

The MES system can be integrated with peripheral devices such as: laser printers, blower printers, laboratory scales, flow scales, labeling machines and other devices used in the production area. Depending on the communication capabilities, information can not only be read from such devices, but also sent to these devices. Thanks to this, the MES system becomes a central point for managing and archiving all settings sent to peripheral devices.

The cost of implementing an MES system depends on many variables, including: the amount of equipment to be delivered and launched, the number of monitored stations/lines, the functional scope of the implementation and the required customization. From our experience, an implementation of a MES system that monitors about 20 workstations / production lines is the amount for licenses and implementation services at the level of PLN 300,000 - 400,0000 net, more extensive systems (including maintenance and advanced quality control) are in the order of PLN 600,000 – PLN 700,000 net.