Thursday, June 27, 2013

Press Release: MESA announces the publishing of MESA White Paper #45


Applying Manufacturing Operations Models In A Discrete Hybrid Manufacturing Environment

CHANDLER, ARIZ., June 27, 2013 - All the manufacturing processes, scenarios, modes of operation, and application of techniques described in this paper are currently in use in an established discrete and discrete/batch hybrid manufacturing enterprise that produces and repairs complex machinery. The enterprise makes products ranging from simple parts machined from bar stock to complex machined assemblies; the final products incorporate numerous in-house and third-party-supplied subassemblies. Occasionally, the optimized operations definitions vary across characterized and uncharacterized abnormal modes of operations or situations. The optimized and abnormal modes of operation are modeled using the concepts of MES/MOM as set forth by ISA-95 Part 3, Activity Models for Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM).

The paper explains a requirements definition method using ISA-95 Part 3 modeling techniques to describe the integration of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) as part of MOM into enterprise manufacturing architecture. The MES functions, by definition, are part of MOM system architecture, which complements the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and supply chain management (SCM) systems by providing essential information for production and support operations. This is a foundational user requirement for the company's operations transformation to a fully integrated operations environment to reduce dependence on manual data entry and to improve data integrity into the extended enterprise from manufacturing sites.

Ultimately, a MES/MOM implementation to the enterprise helps keep operations visible to ensure that production and shipments are as scheduled and operations costs predictable.

The paper has two sections. The first section is background information describing (1) the domain of discrete hybrid manufacturing operations with the three main types of operations applications that support operations in most companies and their touch points and (2) the system design and execution required to implement MES/MOM using a model-driven approach based on the ANSI/ISA-95 series of standards.

The second section is a discussion about the advantages of applying an operations model approach to manufacturing operations. The section describes the operations advantages of running with an integrated electronic records system instead of a paper-based system. These advantages are further demonstrated with an example of an "As Is" environment composed of systems operating as silos and exchanging information via paper-based records. Then, a "To Be" example demonstrates how the number of systems can be reduced to the three types of operations software with orchestrated electronic interfaces. Finally, the paper concludes with the importance of using standards-based models to design information exchanges between these systems.

This paper was produced as part of the MESA/ISA-95 Best Practices Working Group through an international peer review process involving 5 or more subject matter reviewers.  This MESA White Paper is also be published in the methodology best practices collection, The MOM Chronicles: ISA-95 Best Practices Book 3.0 (Published by ISA, February 2013)

All of MESA's white papers are available at www.mesa.org for MESA premium members, who have complimentary access to over 800 white papers, presentations, MOM/MES guidebooks, industry studies and web casts.

Authors:
Donald A. Fraser, Jacobs
Charlie Gifford, 21st Century Manufacturing Solutions LLC

Contributing Editor:
Patrick J. Weber MBA, PMP (LogiSync)
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About MESA International
MESA International (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association) is a global not-for-profit industry association dedicated to improving outcomes for businesses and their people through the use of manufacturing information. MESA is comprised of manufacturers, producers, solution providers, and industry thought leaders collaborating to formulate practical strategies to turn plant-floor data into valuable knowledge for enterprise success. We do this by:
  • Collecting, sharing, and publishing best practices to help drive greater productivity and the overall profitability of the manufacturing enterprise. Over 800 webcasts, guidebooks, whitepapers, studies, and surveys are available for download in our Resource Library
  • Educating professionals through our IACET-accredited MESA Global Education Program (GEP).
  • Facilitating collaboration among members in over 40 countries who connect, contribute, cultivate understanding, and exchange strategies to drive business results through real-time enterprise and Plant to Enterprise (P2E) integration.
  • Creating partnerships with other industry associations and experts like the World Batch Forum (WBF). Our 2012 merger broadens our knowledge of ISA-95 related standards like B2MML, and ISA-88 related standards like BatchML.
Contact:
DeAnn Fedyski
MESA International 
480.893.6883
deann@mesa.org

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Press Release: MESA International's Global Education Program announces first date of B2MML & Integration Fundamentals Program


One-day course focuses on business-to-manufacturing integration

CHANDLER, ARIZ., June 26, 2013 - MESA International is offering its first ever B2MML & Integration Fundamentals program on September 9, 2013 in Raleigh, NC. The one-day course will cover the fundamentals in plant-to-enterprise integration using B2MML and ISA-95 standards, and offers participants a MESA Certificate of Competency for successful completion.

Integration of business systems to shop floor systems can be a complex, time consuming task, but applying the best practices as identified in the ISA-95 standard, and the MESA B2MML implementation of the standard, can help manufacturers significantly reduce the risk, cost, and time of an integration project. This new class will help companies that are thinking about plant-to-enterprise integration projects identify the best path forward - showing them the potential pitfalls in the integration process and how to avoid them.

This class is intended for those starting, thinking about or currently supporting an integration project. It covers all of the important aspects of integration, and also highlights how real users of the B2MML standard have used it to completely automate ERP to MES integration.

"The MESA Global Education Program arms companies and individuals with best practices and working knowledge to safely and effectively leverage today's software-based solutions to drive real value for their business," said Mike Yost, President, MESA International. "Our goal is to educate companies and individuals within the industry on "how" and "why" to use Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions in their production operations. When it comes to plant-to-enterprise integration projects, this is clearly a need. The B2MML & Integration Fundamentals program is an important step in MESA's efforts to address that need for the industry."

To learn more about the course, visit:http://www.mesa.org/en/globaleducationprogram/B2MMLCoC.asp
  
To register for this class, visit: http://www.mesa.org/en/globaleducationprogram/dateslocations.asp?_mid_=20420. Space is limited - so sign up today to reserve your seat.

The course is also available as a private, in-house program. For more information about holding an in-house program for your company or industry group, please contact Nancy Kolling at Nancy@MESA.org.
  
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About MESA International
MESA International (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association) is a global not-for-profit industry association dedicated to improving outcomes for businesses and their people through the use of manufacturing information. MESA is comprised of manufacturers, producers, solution providers, and industry thought leaders collaborating to formulate practical strategies to turn plant-floor data into valuable knowledge for enterprise success. We do this by:
  • Collecting, sharing, and publishing best practices to help drive greater productivity and the overall profitability of the manufacturing enterprise. Over 800 webcasts, guidebooks, whitepapers, studies, and surveys are available for download in our Resource Library
  • Educating professionals through our IACET-accredited MESA Global Education Program (GEP).
  • Facilitating collaboration among members in over 40 countries who connect, contribute, cultivate understanding, and exchange strategies to drive business results through real-time enterprise and Plant to Enterprise (P2E) integration.
  • Creating partnerships with other industry associations and experts like the World Batch Forum (WBF). Our 2012 merger broadens our knowledge of ISA-95 related standards like B2MML, and ISA-88 related standards like BatchML.
The bottom line?  Members benefit from knowing what MESA knows.


Contact:
DeAnn Fedyski
MESA International 
480.893.6883
deann@mesa.org

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

MES 2013: CBI's 8th Annual Forum on Manufacturing Execution Systems

 
August 13-14, 2013
Hyatt at the Bellevue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Build and Deploy Effective MES Projects within a Highly Regulated Industry

Ensure Manufacturing Intelligence and Excellence – Successfully Deploy, Integrate, Maintain and Utilize Data from MES
This is the only Forum to address innovative efforts within the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industry. MES is necessary for process control, QA/QC, better yield, reduced reliance on paper batch records and FDA compliance. With an outstanding turnout in 2012, the 2013 forum is expected to be our best yet, uniting MES professionals to discuss how to develop, deploy and maintain an effective automation and manufacturing execution system within a regulated environment. 
 
Key topics include:

• MES integration with other shop floor systems
• FDA expectations and regulatory requirements
• MES in emerging countries
• Multiple deployment strategies
• Implementation case studies
• Aligning R&D with MES
• Discrete and process manufacturing

MESA Members use code FTN687 to get $400 off total registration fee.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Press Release: MESA announces the publishing of MESA White Paper #44

Defining an Operations Systems Architecture

CHANDLER, ARIZ., June 17, 2013 - Information systems provided by industrial software vendors are evolving constantly with new features and implementation strategies. The complexity and variety of available options make it difficult for many manufacturers to adequately discuss and compare software alternatives that may or may not meet their requirements.

Vendors typically promote architectures that are supported by the products or solutions in their suite or toolbox. If a manufacturer does not have a clear vision for the architecture of its operations systems, it often adopts the vendor's approach. This approach may be the best fit for the system being developed; however, in many cases it is not or the vendor's solution is not configured correctly.

In the absence of a target "To-Be" architecture, the vendor approach is inevitable. With the increasing reliance on system agility and associated operations management capability, the need to raise the bar is evi-dent. Best-in-class manufacturers must be able to understand their production processes and structures as a foundation for actual process improvement. Once understood, the As-Is and target To-Be architectures serve as a common basis for the discussion and mapping of alternatives.

This paper presents techniques for describing operations systems and engaging stakeholders in projects based on product-independent architectures with examples.

Taking this approach changes the game in vendor negotiations from product-centric evaluation to one in which operations system capability is the focus of discussion. The product selection process includes requirements and alignment to key design principles. Vendor responses are compared against a common operations model and strategy to build pragmatic MOM architecture.

A series of state-of-the-art enterprise and solution architecture concepts are presented, which can be used as a starting point for developing an operations systems architecture (OSA). This architecture can then be used to guide any project, from the smallest upgrade to the largest enterprise solution.

This paper was produced as part of the MESA/ISA-95 Best Practices Working Group through an international peer review process involving 5 or more subject matter reviewers.  This MESA White Paper is also be published in the methodology best practices collection, The MOM Chronicles: ISA-95 Best Practices Book 3.0 (Published by ISA, February 2013)This white paper is available at: https://services.mesa.org/News/View/49133b89-b398-451d-affa-563528d360de

All of MESA's white papers are available at www.mesa.org for MESA premium members who have complimentary access to over 800 white papers, presentations, MOM/MES guidebooks, industry studies and web casts.

Author:
Gavan Hood, Simul-Tech Pty Ltd

Contributing Editor:
Charlie Gifford, 21st Century Manufacturing Solutions LLC

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About MESA International
MESA International (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association) is a global not-for-profit industry association dedicated to improving outcomes for businesses and their people through the use of manufacturing information. MESA is comprised of manufacturers, producers, solution providers, and industry thought leaders collaborating to formulate practical strategies to turn plant-floor data into valuable knowledge for enterprise success. We do this by:
  • Collecting, sharing, and publishing best practices to help drive greater productivity and the overall profitability of the manufacturing enterprise. Over 800 webcasts, guidebooks, whitepapers, studies, and surveys are available for download in our Resource Library
  • Educating professionals through our IACET-accredited MESA Global Education Program (GEP).
  • Facilitating collaboration among members in over 40 countries who connect, contribute, cultivate understanding, and exchange strategies to drive business results through real-time enterprise and Plant to Enterprise (P2E) integration.
Creating partnerships with other industry associations and experts like the World Batch Forum (WBF). Our 2012 merger broadens our knowledge of ISA-95 related standards like B2MML, and ISA-88 related standards like BatchML.

Friday, June 7, 2013

MESA member discount for Manufacturing Process Excellence Forum in July


9th - 11th July, 2013
- Charlotte, North Carolina

Dear colleague,

I am writing to invite you to join me at PEX Network's Manufacturing Process Excellence Forum, taking place July 9th-11th in Charlotte. I will be speaking at the event alongside over 20 process and operations leaders from companies such as Ford, J&J, Corning, DJO Global, Rock Tenn, Whirlpool and Raytheon. I hope you can join us.

The event is providing a unique networking opportunity for us to share experiences and learnings and discuss how to improve business agility and seize and sustain growth opportunities during this period of unprecedented change and uncertainty. MESA is pleased to be associated with an event that will make a major contribution to the sharing of good practice of Process Excellence in the Manufacturing industry.

As my colleague and member of MESA International you are entitled to a 50% discount (simply quote PEXMESA) off the standard conference prices if you register by June 14th.

Reserving your place is really easy, get in touch with the Manufacturing Process Excellence team at enquire@pexnetwork.com, call them at +1 646 378 6026/ +44 207 036 1300 or visit www.manufacturingpex.com.

I look forward to meeting you in July!

Mike Yost
President,
MESA International