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What Is MES?
A manufacturing execution system (MES) is a software solution to improve reliability and traceability with a centralized process and automated data collection. It is a solution to digitalize processes and integrate systems, using a cost effective, high quality, and resource efficient methodology based on industry 4.0 technology. Organizations use MES for either the automation of separate manufacturing processes or optimization of overall production management. Near real-time data increases reliability and product traceability using Internet of Things technology to improve visibility. MES includes cloud and on-premise deployment, a simplified integration with an ERP, flexible production of one process modeling, and detailed production visibility.
What Is MES?
A manufacturing execution system (MES) is a software solution to improve reliability and traceability with a centralized process and automated data collection. It is a solution to digitalize processes and integrate systems, using a cost effective, high quality, and resource efficient methodology based on industry 4.0 technology. Organizations use MES for either the automation of separate manufacturing processes or optimization of overall production management. Near real-time data increases reliability and product traceability using Internet of Things technology to improve visibility. MES includes cloud and on-premise deployment, a simplified integration with an ERP, flexible production of one process modeling, and detailed production visibility.
Key Capabilities of SAP Manufacturing Execution System (SAP MES) include:
- Centralized Operations: Provide role-based touchscreen interfaces to support manufacturing workflows; manage production processes; change routing of materials based on production events.
- Automated Data Collection: Record traceability, quality, and other production data; monitor adherence to production specifications; trigger a predetermined non-conformance process in case of deviation; and integrate with master data of an ERP system.
- Detect Tracking and Resolution: Create a history record for serialized products with track and trace; gain insights into where to increase efficiency and save costs.
6 SAP MES Benefits are:
- Replaces spreadsheets and paper processes with digitization
- Integrates with an ERP system
- Reduces waste, scraps, and overages
- Decreases downtime
- Reduces cost
- Streamlines inventory management
Challenges with MES include expensive cost of implementation if organizations require a large amount of customization. Within manufacturing, lack of employee engagement or accuracy can lead to production delays.
Vendor partners to modernize manufacturing with digital technology are: AWS, Cognizant, Forcam, and TechMahindra.
Key Resources for SAPinsiders:
- Industry 4.0: The Journey to the Future of Productivity. Read about the importance of collaboration to understand automation in the journey of digitalization.
- Leveraging Technology to Address Automotive Industry Challenges. Learn about unique tools the automotive industry leveraged to improve business processes.
- Roundtable Discussion: Intelligent Connected Manufacturing with SAP. Listen to this virtual roundtablediscussion to gain insights on customer success stories and how intelligent technology can help you.
10 results
Key Strategies to Reduce the Cost of Poor Quality In ManufacturingOct 15, 2025 — Manufacturers are focusing on reducing the Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) through the integration of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) with SAP ERP systems to gain real-time insights into operational deficiencies, shifting from reactive to proactive quality management and ultimately enhancing efficiency and profitability.
3 minute read
The Future of Your Shop Floor is Here!Sep 23, 2025 — Manufacturers today are struggling with modernizing operations due to reliance on manual processes, outdated systems, and the loss of institutional knowledge as workers retire. Questions they commonly ask include how to move away from paper-based processes without disrupting production? What’s the best way to digitize the shop floor and gain real-time visibility into operations? How can critical knowledge be retained when workers retire? What are the most effective tools for modernizing manufacturing systems? This session is designed to help manufacturers identify their most pressing challenges, explain how Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) are and how their role is evolving, and why traditional MES approaches need to change.
Watch this session to:
- Identify key operational challenges caused by manual and disconnected shop floor processes.
- Explain the role of SAP Cloud ERP, SAP Digital Manufacturing, and DM4Mill in enabling a digitized manufacturing environment.
- Compare traditional MES approaches with modern, integrated solutions to understand their limitations and benefits.
- Outline a roadmap for transitioning to a fully digitized shop floor using proven tools and best practices.
1 minute read
Unlocking Innovation and Scalability with SAP Digital Manufacturing: Quick Value Delivery & Best PracticesSep 10, 2024 — Join us for an insightful webinar where industry experts from Engineering Industries eXcellence will explore the transformative capabilities of SAP Digital Manufacturing (SAP DM). As a best-of-breed Manufacturing Execution System (MES), SAP DM is designed to drive rapid value through innovative features and cloud adoption. Discover how this future-ready solution seamlessly integrates with ERP systems, providing a user-friendly interface and unparalleled usability. In this session, we will delve into current manufacturing trends and the advantages of SAP DM, including its ability to reduce IT costs and expedite time to value through swift configuration and low-code/no-code implementation. Learn how to initiate your MES evaluation with a pilot project and best practices that ensure successful adoption across every plant. We will also discuss strategies for migrating legacy products like ME/MII and highlight our extensive experience as a trusted partner in SAP DM implementations from day one. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights on enabling the fastest time to value with SAP DM and leveraging its scalable, innovative features to drive your digital manufacturing transformation.
In this webinar, will address how to achieve rapid and efficient digital transformation in manufacturing processes while minimizing costs and ensuring scalability. Customers are seeking to make informed decisions about modernizing their manufacturing execution systems (MES) to improve productivity, enhance integration with existing ERP systems and streamline operations. The webinar will provide valuable insights into: Current Manufacturing Challenges: Deep-dive into market demands, trends and what these mean for manufacturing processes. Evaluating and Implementing MES Solutions: Guidance on starting with pilot projects and adopting best practices to ensure smooth implementation and quick value realization. Migrating Legacy Systems: Strategies for transitioning from older ME/MII systems to the innovative SAP Digital Manufacturing platform. Leveraging Cloud Adoption: Understanding the benefits of cloud-based solutions, including reduced IT costs, faster configuration, and improved scalability. Driving Fast Value: How to use SAP DM to achieve the fastest time to value through easy implementation, intuitive user interfaces, and low-code/no-code configurations. Ensuring Future-Readiness: Exploring the new functionalities and features of SAP DM that prepare businesses for future manufacturing needs. Ultimately, our webinar will help businesses navigate the complexities of digital transformation in manufacturing, enabling them to make strategic decisions that enhance operational efficiency, integrate advanced technologies and drive sustainable growth.
2 minute read
Industry 4.0 – The Journey to the Future of ProductivityMar 3, 2020 — Manufacturing companies are often overwhelmed by the breadth of Industry 4.0 technologies and are not quite sure where to begin their digital transformations. Learn how to assess product bottlenecks and inefficiencies and how to build incrementally on end-to-end processes such as design to operate. Because unique customer demands heavily affect product design and manufacturing, manufacturers need ensure seamless processes across both areas. Among other advice provided, this article stresses the importance of collaborating with professionals from many different functional areas to connect factories, implement automation, and customize products.
5 minute read
How to Leverage Customer Experience Data in ManufacturingNov 11, 2019 —
Customer trends in the consumer and B2B marketplaces today are moving toward models where manufacturers can deliver unique services versus traditional “off-the-shelf” products. Demand for this sort of individualized manufacturing puts pressure on manufacturers to innovate/design and deliver goods faster. Therefore, supply chain professionals are challenged with how to become more flexible and adaptable. This article shares how a supply chain strategy that leverages mass individualization by leveraging customer experience data can help companies stay ahead of consumer demands.
5 minute read
It’s “Do or Die” for Many SAP CustomersOct 1, 2019 —
The past few years have shown a rapid increase in new consumer products, proven by the vast array of new choices appearing daily. Shifting consumer demands and disruptive business models are driving manufacturers to introduce new products at an unprecedented pace and scale. Speed to market and business agility are critical for businesses to compete. This article looks at how SAP customers are currently collecting the data necessary to create new products and ways to transform their SAP product launch processes.
2 minute read
The Intelligent Enterprise and the Digital Supply Chain of OneOct 22, 2018 —
This third article in a series of five on the Intelligent Enterprise shows how apps and extensions to SAP Cloud Platform can benefit vendors building solutions and products to help their customers optimize their manufacturing and supply chain operations.
3 minute read
Optimize Your Manufacturing Plant by Implementing an MES for Shop Floor Data Collection and Automatic Data Transfer to SAP ECCJun 4, 2018 —
Learn how to connect a manufacturing execution system (MES) to SAP ERP Central Component (SAP ECC). Understand common use cases and best practices during the implementation. Learn integration options, avoid common pitfalls, and get help planning a multi-plant system rollout. View corresponding SAP transactions that allow you to review and troubleshoot MES data
16 minute read
Live from SAPinsider Studio: Sam Castro of SAP on Industrial IoTApr 10, 2017 — Sam Castro, Director, LOB Manufacturing, SAP, joins SAPinsider for an interview to discuss Industrial IoT at the SAPinsider IoT 2017 event in Orlando. Topics of this discussion include: The impact IoT technologies and digitization have for the management of manufacturing processes locally and at the enterprise What it means for operations cost and scale to […]
1 minute read
Optimize Your Manufacturing Plant by Implementing an MES for Shop Floor Data Collection and Automatic Data Transfer to ECCFeb 8, 2017 — Learn how to connect a manufacturing execution system (MES) to SAP ERP Central Component (ECC). Understand common use cases and best practices during the implementation. Learn integration options, avoid common pitfalls, and get help planning a multi-plant system rollout. View corresponding SAP transactions that allow you to review and troubleshoot MES data. Key Concept A […]
14 minute read