MES
A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is software that manages and monitors real-time production on the shop floor. It orchestrates work order dispatch, production scheduling, operator work instructions, material consumption, machine integration, quality events at the line, and the as-built record for each unit or lot produced.
Why it matters
MES is the operational layer between engineering governance (PLM) and physical production. Without MES, shop-floor execution relies on paper travelers, manual material tracking, and informal quality records — creating traceability gaps that surface as warranty claims, regulatory findings, and unexplained yield losses.
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External References
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Cite this definition
Finocchiaro, Michael. “MES.” DemystifyingPLM PLM Glossary, 2026, https://www.demystifyingplm.com/glossary/mes