Manufacturing Execution System (MES)

DynamxMFG gives SME manufacturers live shop floor visibility – tracking every job, machine, and operator in real time – so you hit delivery dates and protect margins without spreadsheets or enterprise ERP complexity.

What is a Manufacturing Execution System (MES)?

A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is software that runs between planning systems and the shop floor. It tracks and controls what is happening in real time as raw materials are turned into finished products. A MES gives manufacturers live visibility of jobs, machines, people, and quality, so they can keep orders on track and improve performance shift by shift.

How does a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) work in a factory?

Connects to the shop floor

Operators use terminals, barcode scanners, or tablets to start and finish jobs, record stoppages, and log scrap. Machines and sensors can also feed status and counters into the system.

Executes and tracks production orders

Work orders from ERP/MRP are broken into operations and routed to the right work centres. The MES shows planned vs actual times and status for every job.

Captures real-time production data

The system records who did what, when, on which machine, with which materials. That data forms the “as-built” record – essential for traceability and quality.

Feeds live information back to management

Dashboards and reports show OEE/utilisation, bottlenecks, scrap, and on‑time performance so teams can act immediately, not wait for month-end reports.

Core Functions of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES)

  • Order execution and dispatching (turning work orders into shop‑floor tasks)

  • Resource allocation and status (machines, people, tools)

  • Detailed scheduling at operation level

  • Data collection from operators, machines, and sensors

  • Work-in-progress (WIP) tracking

  • Quality checks, inspections, and non‑conformance capture

  • Traceability and product genealogy

  • Performance analysis (OEE, downtime, scrap)

Benefits of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for Manufacturers

Better on‑time delivery

Live status means issues are spotted and fixed before jobs are late.

Higher utilisation and throughput

Fewer stoppages and a clearer view of bottlenecks.

Lower scrap and rework

Quality issues are caught earlier, with clearer root causes.

Faster decisions

Supervisors and managers work from the same live data.

MES vs MRP vs ERP – Where does MES fit in?

  • ERP manages finance, sales, purchasing, and high‑level planning.

  • MRP plans materials and when to make/buy components.

  • MES runs the shift – it shows what is actually happening on the shop floor and collects the data to improve it.

Where Is A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Right For Your Factory?

A MES is a good fit if:

You run multiple lines/shifts and rely on spreadsheets or whiteboards.

A MES is a good fit if:

You have high‑mix or make‑to‑order work and struggle to see status in real time.

A MES is a good fit if:

You need traceability and consistent quality across many jobs.

A MES is a good fit if:

You want better control without re‑implementing your ERP.

Are you paying for “lost time” or a system that stops it?

Stop losing margin to unplanned overtime, scrap, and manual admin by converting your “spreadsheet hours” into productive capacity.