What is Agile MES?

MES is a computerized system used in manufacturing operations to track and document the transformation of raw materials into finished goods. An MES system typically manages and monitors work orders, equipment, materials, and personnel on the shop floor. The system provides real-time visibility into production processes, helps optimize manufacturing operations, and improves the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process.

Agile MES is an approach to implementing an MES system that applies the principles of Agile software development to the manufacturing process. The Agile methodology emphasizes iterative, incremental, and adaptive approaches to software development. By applying Agile principles to manufacturing operations, organizations can achieve greater flexibility, responsiveness, and adaptability in their production processes.

SCADA and MES Solutions

What are the benefits of Agile MES?

Agile MES offers several benefits to manufacturing organizations. It enables faster time-to-market by allowing manufacturers to quickly adapt to changing customer demands, market conditions, and production requirements. Agile MES also improves productivity by reducing downtime, optimizing production processes, and minimizing waste. It ensures consistent quality by providing real-time data on production processes, enabling manufacturers to identify and address quality issues before they become major problems. Agile MES enhances communication between departments and individuals involved in the manufacturing process, resulting in improved collaboration and greater teamwork.
Agile MES enables manufacturers to quickly adjust to changes in production requirements, equipment, personnel, and materials, resulting in greater flexibility in manufacturing operations.

How to Implement Agile MES for your business

  • First step: MES Assessment
    The initial stage of MES development is the MES Assessment, which is crucial in ensuring that the end solution aligns with the project’s vision, objectives, and scope. By conducting a thorough analysis of your people, processes, and technology you can determine the optimal approach for designing, implementing, and adopting the MES solution. Through this process, you can establish a roadmap for the early stages of development, foster a collaborative relationship between stakeholder groups and our team of experts, identify potential gaps, and recommend infrastructure projects that will support the overall vision. Learn more about INS3 MES Service approach.
  • Second step: Proof of Concept
    The Proof of Concept (PoC) phase aims to showcase the value of the proposed solution, instill confidence in the overall MES approach, and justify further investment and development. After conducting an MES Assessment, a collaboration between stakeholders is needed, to identify and prioritize a set of high-priority requirements to be developed for a specific production area. For instance, we may develop Production and Performance Reporting for a Packaging Line or Paperless Quality for a Mixing Area. This approach enables you to make informed decisions at each stage of the process, avoiding costly solutions that fail to meet customer needs. You can request our Agile MES Workshop to learn more about this approach.
  • Third step: Agile Development and Evaluations
    Agile development is an iterative and flexible approach to software development that emphasizes collaboration, continuous delivery, and responding to changing requirements. Agile development methodologies are designed to accommodate changes and feedback throughout the development process, enabling teams to quickly adapt to shifting priorities and stakeholder needs. Agile evaluations are an essential component of the Agile development process, allowing teams to assess the effectiveness of their solutions and identify opportunities for improvement. Evaluations may take many forms, including user testing, retrospectives, and customer feedback, and can occur throughout the development cycle. By embracing Agile development and evaluations, teams can create solutions that are more closely aligned with stakeholder needs, improve the quality of their software, and increase their Overall Efficiency and Effectiveness (OEE). You can watch the INS3 OEE Webinar to learn more.

Agile Development is divided into three categories: adjustment (iteration), depolyment (adaption)  and replication (rollout). The Adjustment (Iteration) phase involves the incremental addition of features and improvements to an existing system. For instance, one might add Paperless Quality to an existing MES that primarily focuses on Production Reporting.

The Deployment (Adaptation) phase entails adapting the system to a new process, such as applying an MES solution that was originally designed for a Packaging area to a Mixing process. Finally, the Replication (Rollout) phase involves deploying the MES solution on a larger scale across multiple similar processes. These three categories provide a framework for the agile development of MES solutions, allowing teams to create solutions that can be quickly and efficiently adapted to meet changing requirements and stakeholder needs.

During this phase, the solution is deployed on-site to access real-time data. The goal is to provide a functional solution that can be used and is useful for the team, thereby eliciting user buy-in and feedback.

Why choose INS3?

INS3 is an ideal manufacturing partner for businesses seeking reliable and high-quality solutions to your business’ manufacturing needs. With over three decades of experience in the manufacturing and industrial industry, INS3 offers a comprehensive range of manufacturing services, including SCADA, Modernization, Agile MES, Industry 4.0 and many more. Their team of experts is dedicated to providing customized solutions that meet the specific needs of each customer, ensuring that every project is completed on time and within budget. INS3’s  commitment to sustainability ensures that they prioritize environmentally-friendly manufacturing practices, reducing waste and minimizing their environmental impact.
By choosing INS3 as your manufacturing partner, you can be confident that you are working with a trusted partner who is dedicated to delivering exceptional results and exceeding your expectations.

Agile MES is a powerful approach to implementing a manufacturing execution system that enables manufacturers to quickly adapt to changing requirements, optimize production processes, and improve overall efficiency. By following the steps outlined in this blog, manufacturing organizations can successfully implement an Agile MES system that delivers real business value.

Are you ready to scale up your business?

Our team of experts is dedicated to providing customized solutions tailored to your specific needs. We understand the importance of timely and effective communication, and we make it a priority to keep our clients informed throughout the entire manufacturing process. We are committed to continuously improving our services to ensure that we are providing the highest quality solutions possible.

To learn more about how our team can assist you with your manufacturing needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us.