The success of every manufacturing business depends on its efficiency and productivity. Finding ways to make the production line run increasingly efficiently is a goal every manufacturing business strives to achieve. The higher your productivity levels, the greater your profits; this means finding the most efficient ways to speed up your production line and reduce the cost and delay of downtime is essential.
Many manufacturing businesses are overhauling their operations to make them increasingly efficient by implementing a manufacturing execution system (MES). An MES will track every part of your manufacturing process to ensure the workflow runs at peak efficiency from the start to the finished product rolls off the production line.
Combining MES with andon systems to alert you when a problem occurs on-site provides a comprehensive method to achieve maximum manufacturing output. While introducing MES to your business has many advantages, it is not an easy system to implement, and many issues can make the project less successful than you hoped. Here are some tips to ensure your business achieves a successful MES implementation:
Assess Need
Before implementing an MES, you need to know what you hope to achieve from it. Identifying which areas of your business will benefit from the MES and what you expect to gain from its implementation are vital steps. Establishing weaknesses in your operation and putting together a business case should provide you with the insight to determine the value an MES would add to the business.
Plan a Pilot
Jumping straight in and implementing a complete MES switch over right away can lead to manufacturing downtime while the system is installed and increases the likelihood of issues during the implementation process. Starting small and testing the MES is an excellent way to spot any potential problems with the system before they bring your production line to a standstill.
Communicate Effectively
Attempting to implement an MES without buy-in from your team can cause significant issues. Everyone needs to be on board to implement an MES, and needs to understand the value the new system brings to the business. The implementation process will run much smoother if everyone is aware of what is happening and how it will benefit the organization.
Prepare for Installation
Choosing the best MES and andon system supplier is crucial to the success of your project. To avoid the implementation going over budget and taking too long, it is wise to set a clear plan for the project from the start. Agreeing on the exact requirements and a workable timescale for the installation before work begins should prevent any last-minute delays causing additional downtime and adding to the cost. Sticking with the plan and monitoring the process carefully should help keep the implementation on track.
Thorough Training
Once installation is complete, it is necessary to thoroughly train all staff to ensure the MES works as it should. Ensuring everyone knows how the new system works and what they need to do is vital to gain the full benefits from the MES.