What is MES (Manufacturing Execution System)?
Shop-floor software that tracks and controls production in real time. ERP plans what to make and when; MES executes and records what actually happens on the line, then feeds those results back into ERP.
Definition
A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is software that monitors, tracks, documents, and controls the process of manufacturing goods from raw materials to finished products in real time. MES sits between ERP (enterprise-level planning) and the shop floor (machine-level control), providing visibility into production operations, quality tracking, labor management, and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) monitoring. MES helps manufacturers reduce waste, improve quality, and increase throughput. MES vs ERP at a glance: ERP is the system of record for planning and business transactions — orders, materials, costing, and finance — and works in hours and days. MES is the system of record for execution — machine status, operator activity, scrap, quality checks, and batch genealogy — and works in seconds and minutes. Neither replaces the other, and the value comes from the handoff between them.
How MES Works in ERP
Some ERP systems include built-in MES capabilities (like Epicor Kinetic's Advanced MES), while others integrate with standalone MES platforms. In an integrated setup, MES receives production orders from ERP, provides real-time production data back to ERP for scheduling and costing, and enables closed-loop manufacturing where actual performance feeds back into planning. General-purpose ERP suites rarely ship shop-floor execution; manufacturing-focused products are the exception. When comparing systems, establish whether MES is native to the ERP, a partner add-on, or a separate integration project, because that answer drives both licence cost and implementation time.
ERP Vendors with Strong MES
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between MES and ERP?
ERP handles enterprise-level planning (orders, financials, procurement), while MES manages real-time shop floor execution (tracking actual production, quality checks, machine status). MES provides the granularity that ERP planning modules lack.
Do I need both ERP and MES?
Most manufacturers need ERP for business management. MES is additional — it's most valuable for companies needing real-time shop floor visibility, quality tracking at each operation, and OEE monitoring. Some ERPs like Epicor Kinetic include built-in MES.
Does ERP include MES?
Most general-purpose ERP systems do not include MES. They plan production and record its financial results, but they do not capture machine-level events as they happen. Manufacturing-focused ERPs are the exception — Epicor Kinetic includes Advanced MES, and vendors such as SAP, Infor, and QAD offer execution modules or tightly coupled MES products. Confirm whether shop-floor execution is native, an add-on, or a separate integration before assuming it is covered.
How does MES-ERP integration work?
Integration runs in both directions. ERP passes released production orders, routings, and bills of materials down to MES. MES passes back actual quantities, scrap, labour time, machine downtime, and quality results. ERP then uses those actuals to close work orders, value inventory, and cost production — which is what makes closed-loop manufacturing possible rather than just planned-versus-actual reporting after the fact.