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ERP Connectivity

Since the 1980s there have been many definitions for the functional space now widely referred to as MES. In the intervening period many successful systems have been deployed, however, they were inherently bespoke in their connectivity and data handling arrangements. Today the industry has agreed and published standards that allow a structured approach to be taken, these have been finalised with ISA95. The development of these models has been possible primarily through availability of better technologies. We are therefore now at a stage where we have a number of industry standard models, such as Manufacturing Systems Association (MESA) Model, AMR Research's Ready, Execute, Process Analyse and Coordinate (REPAC) model and the more recent ANSI/ISA S95 model for Enterprise-Control system integration and the Manufacturing Operations Model. All these standard models are useful in allowing a consistent description of MES capabilities; however they are sometimes incorrectly used in comparing technologies to the detriment of defining the requirements and benefits expected.

The fundamental need by an industry has not changed, however increasing business pressures on industry have made MES systems more crucial to the success of lean and flexible manufacturing. In support of industry standardisation EmsPT utilises the ANSI model as a means of communicating and defining MES capabilities. This model describes functional elements but also describes the information flows between these elements both within the boundary of MES and to the processes outside this boundary. The S95 model uses a functional hierarchy similar to the CIM pyramid that defines levels at which decisions are made. The 0,1 and 2 levels define cell or line supervision and operation functions. S95 is a large all embracing document, we are experienced in selecting those parts that are relevant and can explain the advantages both now and in the longer term of deploying solutions based upon S95.