What is a Manufacturing Execution System and What Does It Do?

What is a Manufacturing Execution System?

A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is software that connects the business and production layers of a manufacturing organisation. It sits between enterprise systems such as ERP and the equipment or control systems on the factory floor. Its role is to monitor, track, and control the transformation of raw materials into finished goods in real time.

In simple terms, an MES turns production data into actionable insight. It provides the visibility and control manufacturers need to manage quality, throughput, compliance, and performance while ensuring the right product is made, by the right process, at the right time.

What does an MES system do?

An MES manages and records everything that happens during the manufacturing process. It coordinates the execution of production orders, tracks materials and work in progress, and captures every detail of how, when, and by whom a product was made.

Typical capabilities include production scheduling, electronic work instructions, material tracking, product genealogy, in-process quality checks, and performance monitoring. It can also manage deviations, non-conformances, and equipment utilisation.

By connecting the shop floor with business systems, an MES gives operators, supervisors, and managers accurate, up-to-date information. The result is reduced waste, improved quality, faster throughput, and better decision-making.

What companies use an MES?

Manufacturers of all sizes and sectors can benefit from MES software, from single-site operations to global enterprises. The system is particularly valuable where production is complex, regulated, or requires high levels of traceability and quality control.

Companies producing high-value or safety-critical goods such as automotive components, pharmaceuticals, or electronics often adopt MES as part of their digital manufacturing strategy. It enables standardisation across sites, consistent quality, and real-time visibility of performance metrics.

Examples of how an MES helps a business

A food manufacturer can use MES to track ingredient batches through every stage of production, providing full traceability and faster recall management. A pharmaceutical company can replace paper batch records with electronic versions, improving accuracy and reducing time to product release.

An automotive supplier might use MES to enforce work instructions, capture torque values at each assembly stage, and automatically prevent out-of-spec parts from progressing. A high-tech manufacturer could synchronise engineering changes with production to ensure only the correct product version is built.

Across all industries, MES helps teams move from reactive problem-solving to proactive management. It ensures that data drives production decisions, not assumptions.

What roles would typically use an MES?

Many roles within a manufacturing organisation interact with an MES.

Operations leaders rely on it to manage schedules, monitor progress, and resolve bottlenecks. Quality managers use it to embed checks into each stage of production and to analyse trends in defects or rework. Supply chain and planning teams integrate MES with ERP systems to align production with demand.

Maintenance teams use MES data to coordinate servicing based on actual performance, while finance and compliance teams depend on its detailed audit trails for regulatory reporting and cost analysis. On the shop floor, operators use MES to follow instructions, record activity, and ensure consistency across shifts and lines.

What industries use a Manufacturing Execution System?

MES systems are used in a wide range of industries where precision, compliance, and efficiency are critical. These include automotive and aerospace manufacturing, electronics and semiconductor production, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and food and beverage.

In each case, MES supports different goals, from ensuring product quality and regulatory compliance in life sciences to improving yield and uptime in high-volume manufacturing. It has become a foundational technology for modern, data-driven production environments.

What are the most popular MES system providers?

The MES market is large and competitive, with vendors offering both specialised and general-purpose solutions. Some of the leading and widely adopted providers include:

Siemens Opcenter Execution – A comprehensive MES suite with versions tailored for discrete, process, and hybrid industries. It offers strong capabilities for traceability, quality management, and integration with other Siemens manufacturing tools.

Rockwell Automation Plex MES – A cloud-based MES platform designed for real-time visibility and paperless manufacturing. It is popular in discrete and mixed-mode environments.

AVEVA Manufacturing Execution System – Formerly Wonderware MES, this solution is used across process and hybrid industries. It focuses on modular deployment and operator-friendly interfaces.

Dassault Systèmes DELMIA Apriso – Part of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, DELMIA Apriso connects MES with product lifecycle and digital manufacturing tools, ideal for global discrete manufacturers.

GE Vernova Proficy Plant Applications – A well-established MES used for process and discrete manufacturing, providing strong capabilities in real-time performance monitoring and quality control.

SAP Digital Manufacturing – SAP’s cloud-based MES solution that integrates closely with its ERP suite, helping organisations connect planning with execution across multiple plants.

Oracle Fusion Cloud Manufacturing – A component of Oracle’s manufacturing suite that combines execution, quality, and analytics, often chosen by Oracle Cloud ERP users.

Honeywell MES – Focused on regulated industries such as life sciences and specialty chemicals, it supports electronic batch records and compliance-focused production management.

Körber PAS-X – A leading MES for pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, designed for complex and regulated environments such as cell and gene therapy.

Critical Manufacturing MES – A modern, configurable MES solution suited to high-tech and complex discrete manufacturing, including semiconductor and electronics sectors.

How to find and select a new MES system

If you are looking for a new MES solution, Viewpoint Analysis can help in a number of ways:

• Rapid RFI and Rapid RFP processes - we can run your vendor selection process in super-quick time. Our Rapid RFI is a great way to build a longlist of technology options and then whittle this down to a shortlist, and our Rapid RFP goes from a shortlist of options to a preferred vendor in super quick time.

• 30-Day Technology Selection - for companies that are in a hurry, our 30-Day Selection Process is the fastest way to quickly go from a standing start to a technology decision, in under one month.

You might also want to check out our RFP templates and buyer guides in the main menu.