What Is an MES? Manufacturing Execution System
An MES (manufacturing execution system) plans, tracks and records production on the shop floor. Learn its functions and its link to work instructions.
Definition
An MES, or manufacturing execution system, is software that manages and records production on the shop floor: orders, materials, machine status, quality data and traceability. It links ERP planning to the line. Actarion complements an MES with AR-guided work instructions and step-level data on how tasks were done.
Why does it matter on the shop floor?
- The MES knows the order, but not how the operator did the task.
- Instructions in the MES are text-only.
What is an MES?
An MES is an information system that tracks and documents the conversion of raw materials into finished goods, in real time.
Typical MES functions are order dispatch, data collection, quality management, traceability and performance analysis such as OEE. The standard ISA-95 places MES between ERP and machine control.
Key elements
- 1ERP plans the order.
- 2MES dispatches and tracks it on the line.
- 3Connected worker tools guide the manual tasks.
Example from the shop floor
The MES releases an order to line 2 and records batch and output. The operator follows the changeover instruction on a tablet before starting.
How does Actarion help?
- Actarion adds guided manual work to your MES landscape.
- Digital, step-by-step work instructions generated from your SOPs with AI.
- AR guidance on tablets and AR glasses, with an audit trail per execution.
Frequently asked questions
No. ERP plans the business; MES runs and records the shop floor.
Some do, often basic. Dedicated tools add media, AR and training.
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