What is the difference between OEE and MES?
It's often common to hear the phrase "we need an MES". Although in some segments this need is real, it is essential to understand exactly what this solution does and whether we are buying the right one. Before drawing any conclusions, it is essential to understand that MES (Manufacturing Execution System) and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) are two different solutions used in industry to improve operational efficiency and performance.
MES is a production control system that manages the execution of manufacturing operations in real time. It is designed to monitor and control manufacturing processes, track raw materials, manage quality and schedule production, among other functions. By providing real-time visibility of manufacturing operations, MES helps companies optimize processes, improve efficiency, reduce costs and ensure regulatory compliance.
Its definition has changed a lot over the decades, with layers of management and control added to its scope. If we evaluate this framework under the single assessment of MESA International, the organization that pioneered the assessment of this type of system, we can see that this definition has historically had 4 definitions. The greater the scope required as an MES, the greater the complexity, prior data work and effort in defining processes and involving different areas of the company.
However, even with the possibility of managing multiple facets of production execution, many companies inadvertently look for an MES solution to deal with a central issue in any industrial environment: the productivity of their resources. This is where OEE and solutions focusing on it come in.
Essencialmente, OEE é uma métrica que avalia a eficácia geral do equipamento em uma linha de produção. Leva em consideração três fatores principais de eficiência: Disponibilidade (tempo em que o equipamento está disponível para produção), Desempenho (velocidade real de produção em comparação com a velocidade ideal) e Qualidade (percentual de produtos produzidos corretamente). O OEE é utilizado para identificar oportunidades de melhoria na produtividade da máquina, reduzir o tempo de inatividade, aumentar a produção e melhorar a qualidade do produto. A implantação de um sistema de produtividade em tempo real, focado em OEE e altamente automatizado é, por sua vez, muito mais simples e rápido.
If you want to achieve maximum productivity from key resources in your production through the 3 pillars mentioned above, monitor your production in order to understand the real capacity of each product and plant, as well as identify inefficiencies and their causes in each machine or station, an OEE solution is the most effective.
However, if you have very high criticality in equipment maintenance management, need to improve material traceability to a level beyond what your ERP allows and/or are looking for a solution that has specific and advanced quality management functionalities, you should look for an MES solution. This can be a market solution or even an in-house development by the industry of these functionalities on top of a previous solution centered on OEE, since the scope of materials, maintenance and quality can often be very specific for each company.
In short, the confusion between these two solutions arises around the scope and focus of each, which can result in mistaken expectations about their functionalities and objectives. For example, implementing an MES may improve the overall efficiency of the operation, but it won't necessarily automatically guarantee an increase in OEE. Similarly, improving the OEE of a specific machine may not solve the broader production management problems that an MES could address.
It is therefore essential to understand the distinctions between MES and OEE and to recognize that each plays a different role in improving efficiency and operational performance in industry. Choosing the right system to meet specific needs and achieve the desired results is essential for business success.
Se você tem interesse em implementar a OEE em tempo real na sua indústria, conheça o Evocon e veja como esta tecnologia pode te ajudar!