Cloud MES – Cloud-Based Manufacturing Execution System

Production, resources, wastes, shifts, operators, machine maintenance, machine control and orders. All of them are very hard to plan and schedule, especially if they aren’t connected and all areas involve different departments and people. By using Opticloud as a Cloud MES, you get a platform for all of the above.

What is Cloud MES?

A cloud MES, also short for a cloud manufacturing execution system, is a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution that runs in the cloud. In simple terms a piece of software that you have access to through a browser, which more or less can run your whole production.

Your Cloud MES typically connects and integrates into all your other systems, like your SCADA, ERP, or even directly to your machine’s PLC (machine computer). This is typically also known as real industry 4.0 – device, machine, and system interconnectivity on all levels.

A Cloud MES like Opticloud will take you into industry 5.0, where humans interact with these systems through different interfaces.

In a cloud MES, you’ll typically be able to control your machines, send production plans to your operators and machines, plan production ahead of time, see potential bottlenecks in the production lines, see and plan maintenance both on a preventive basis and predictive basis.

The system connects humans and systems on all levels in a company, from the operator to the CEO through management, technical, logistic, sales, and economic departments.

Why use a Cloud MES?

What if you had a system that could tell your logistic department how much available production capacity your factory has left? Or maybe it could tell your sales department that the recent order they sold to an important customer is ready at the packaging line? Or maybe your CEO would like to see current investment options based on current production speeds and availability?

Instead of digging for these answers and basing these answers on pure gut feeling and experience, base it on pure facts that will validate experience and improve it.

Opticloud as a Cloud MES

Opticloud can be used as a Cloud MES on many different levels. It does not have to be hard or expensive, it does not need your whole IT department involved spending weeks and months on a huge project. It’s fairly simple to start and build from as it’s independent of current systems operating in your factory.

You can start with a simple goal; I want to know my availability and possible production bottlenecks for my logistics to better plan ahead.

We will connect to your existing systems and/or implement hardware that gathers the relevant data and serve it on a silver plate for your production and logistics to start utilizing it right from the start.

Once you’re comfortable and have the resources to move along, we can integrate your ERP, SCADA, or maintenance to make the next big leap.

The next goal could be; I want to predict 90% of all my maintenance to avoid putting out fires and to plan all my future maintenance.

Based on data we already collect by having implemented step one, we can now serve alarms and schedule maintenance for your electricians and engineers. These alarms can even go to a third-party automation partner if you don’t have your own maintenance department.

Through a step-by-step process, you don’t ever need to make one big investment that jeopardizes your whole production. You actually never put your production into any risks, because Opticloud is operating securely alongside all other systems.