What is a Manufacturing Information System?
Manufacturing information systems are integral to the modern manufacturing facility. They are computer software platforms used to track to and document the transformation of raw materials to finished goods. With the implementation of a manufacturing and production information system, facility managers and decision makers can understand how conditions in the production process can be optimized and improved for increased output. The manufacturing information system operates in real-time, covering the full range of production elements in the process, including machines, inputs, personnel, and more.
With comprehensive manufacturing information system software, facility managers have a complete view into the entire production process, providing them with real data, instead of guesswork and wasting time trying to pinpoint a problem. In addition, the manufacturing execution system can also play a key role in automation and ensuring the proper sequencing of both manufacturing and business processes.
Why implement Manufacturing Information Systems?
Many plant operators are familiar with the ‘old way’ of doing business. When the manufacturing process is running smoothly, everything is on track. However, as soon as something goes wrong, it can throw off the entire production system, with potential negative impacts on the entire supply chain – from raw materials to the finished product, as well as taking a tremendous amount of time and resources to remediate the problem.
Advantages of a Manufacturing Information System
With a production information system model in place, plant operators have an entirely different view of their facilities. The system can operate across multiple areas, including product definitions across the product life cycle, resource scheduling, order execution, and production analysis. The system creates a real-time record, capturing relevant data throughout the manufacturing process. This enables optimization of the process, increasing efficiency and potentially reducing errors and downtime. In today’s competitive landscape, this is a key advantage of a smart manufacturing system. In addition, the documentation and record keeping that the system provides is especially useful in heavily regulated sectors, such as pharmaceuticals or food and beverage.
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Companies that deploy a manufacturing information system realize real benefits to their business process, including reduced waste and quicker set up times, more accurate data for key costs such as labor, scrap, tooling, etc., increased uptime, and a paperless workflow. In addition, many facilities use their manufacturing information system for real-time feedback and comprehensive information at a single source, to optimize their production process.
Whether facilities are looking to improve their production data collection, manage their resources better, or execute their production orders quicker, a manufacturing information system can provide the best solution to fit their business needs.
