MES or QMS or a CI Solution – Which is Right for My Business?

When you’re a small-to-medium sized manufacturer, there comes a time when you realize that creating your product the old fashioned way just isn’t cutting it. You need technological help. That moment could be instigated by growth, experienced staff aging and leaving, or implementing lean manufacturing or continuous improvement programs. Most manufacturers zero in on two acronyms: an MES or QMS software. We’ll also offer a third up for consideration: a CI solution.

MES: Manufacturing Execution System

QMS Software: Quality Management System software

CI Solution: Continuous Improvement solution

What do each of these things do? When are they the right (and wrong) tool for the job? And which is right for my company?

An MES is a piece of software that monitors and controls production on a manufacturing floor. The MES sits in between planning and control systems like an ERP (enterprise resource planning) system and the actual manufacturing operations.

An MES is a powerful, wide-ranging tool that can handle functions including:

In short, it monitors, tracks, documents, and controls the process from raw materials to finished goods.

Note: Glassdome integrates with many MES systems, including SAP, Rockwell, and Siemens.

A fully deployed and integrated MES tracks and visualizes an enormous amount of data and can enhance productivity and ultimately profitability. It also helps with compliance in regulated industries.

Common benefits to deploying an MES include:

While an MES is a powerful tool, it has its downsides, most of which relate to its size and complexity.

MES software is a huge upfront and ongoing investment of time and money. They cost a lot, implementing them is complex (and that complexity increases exponentially if software besides the ERP system needs to be integrated), and the entire company needs to be brought onboard with change management.

Deploying an MES is a great idea for large companies with cash on hand, dedicated IT resources, and large operations staff. It can be a bridge too far for many small-to-medium sized companies.

Let’s start with the acronym alone.

A quality management system is a codified set of policies, processes, and responsibilities that keep your business (and factory floor) running smoothly. In a manufacturing environment, a QMS is more tightly defined around making sure that the factory is producing 100% good parts (a key component of OEE).

QMS software is a platform that helps digitize, organize, and streamline your QMS.

It can be used for:

A QMS software deployment should essentially take your whole set of operational policies, processes, and responsibilities and put them in the cloud (or a server).

The ultimate benefit of QMS software is higher quality products and less waste. It can also be a powerful tool for compliance and regulatory requirements.

It accomplishes this through:

As the name suggests, QMS software is a narrow solution. It’s more of a component of continuous improvement efforts across the manufacturing process than a holistic solution.

An MES or CI solution might actually include many of the quality management tools a QMS system provides.

Continuous improvement is a process of improving products, services, and processes through incremental, often bottom-up, changes. Instead of waiting for revolutionary change, it emphasizes the power of consistent upgrades. First implemented on a large scale at Toyota, it’s a cornerstone of methods like Six Sigma, lean manufacturing, and total quality management.

It’s usually implemented according to the plan-do-check-act cycle:

A CI solution empowers that cycle. Process visualization through custom dashboards means operators and managers can see where they need to change, and measure the impacts of their work. Integrated checklists and instructions ensure knowledge is shared widely and quickly.

Put simply, users can:

A CI solution can enhance employee engagement, measure and systematize processes, and improve quality. With it, an ERP system, frontline workers, machines, and operations software can be brought together in one pane of glass.

Metrics that can be measured and improved include:

For manufacturers with mixed-model production, high SKU counts, and expensive per-product outputs, it’s an especially great tool.

A CI solution isn’t for every manufacturer. Sometimes an MES or QMS is the right tool for the job.

If your company has a huge footprint and a lot of spare cash, you’re probably looking for an MES. It’s a more comprehensive solution.

If you have an assembly line that makes a whole lot of the exact same thing with tight margins, you might not reap as many benefits as mixed-model manufacturers (although visibility will still net you improvements in quality and problem-solving speed).

Decided to look beyond MES or QMS? You’re in the right place – We’re trusted by some of the largest manufacturers in the world.

The Glassdome CI platform uses real data from proprietary sensors and gateways to show a real-time view of your shop floor. Our consultants are manufacturing veterans, who ensure your data pipeline and dashboards are tailored to your needs. 

Our ISO 14067 verified Product Carbon Footprint solution uses the same data to handle environmental compliance reporting for even broader functionality.
So get in touch with one of our manufacturing experts and start improving today.