MES For Dummies^®, Plex Systems Special Edition

My manufacturing plant is running okay. I track production costs and try to optimize efficiency following lean principles (Chapter 2), but most tracking is manually done on paper, or spreadsheets. Sometimes it’s hard to trust the numbers and take our performance to the next level, let alone satisfy customers that are requiring more sophistication in controls and capability. I’ve heard about manufacturing execution systems (MES), but they’ve appeared out of reach due to the cost or complexity. Add to that the talk about Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, and the Internet of Things (Chapter 5), and I think I may be getting left behind. Where do I start?

If this sounds like you, you aren’t alone. Sorting this all out seems complex, but a practical approach to solving real-world problems is what manufacturing is all about. This book is your guide to doing just that!