Many believe that continuous improvement can be achieved with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system alone, removing the need for a Manufacturing Execution System (MES). An ERP platform is capable of integrating a set of applications used to manage processes - this can cover everything from sales, purchasing and finance to human resources. The goal is to create a central data repository which acts as a planning resource for the enterprise. Armed with information from an ERP system it is possible to calculate how much it costs to produce a specific product and the materials needed. It is also able to predict how many employees are needed for continuous operations, and plan accordingly. There is no doubt that ERP is a powerful tool. However, it is not capable of reporting real-time conditions of the manufacturing process and presenting information that enables operators to make informed decisions.
展开▼
