Information Automation (MES

Empowering continuous improvement, kaizen and change by providing real time facts and prevetative information.

The goal of Information Automation in a manufacturing environment is improved control over information management processes. This is often manifested as a paperless factory or supply chain and is referred to as a Manufacturing Execution System or MES.

Information management is a key activity in any operational environment.

Enterprises are full of information management processes (often invisible). For example:

• Raw material receival, specifications, inspections, quarantine
• Process definition, variable set points, adjustments, setup information
• Component part specifications, drawings, test specs, inspection procedures, SPC regimes
• Assembly specifications, BILLs of Materials, routings, assembly instructions, packaging instructions
• Productions schedules, inventory levels,
• Works order issue and execution
• Delivery schedules, transport requirements, logistics contractor equipments
• Record keeping, used by, validation and verification

In each process there are information interfaces as information is passed from one place, department, individual, machine, computer or time to another. At each interface there is cost, risk of variation and loss of integrity. Information automation reduces process variation and cost by collecting data automatically where possible and removing or simplifying interfaces.

Information Automation implementation steps:

1. Eliminate or combine as many information management processes as possible (after referring to the high level Value Stream Map)
2. Eliminate or combine as many information interfaces with each remaining process as possible
3. Simplify the process using Visual Factory techniques to the point that paper or computers are not required (KANBAN for example is a visual scheduling process)
4. Automate the remaining process and interfaces
5. Automatic data collection,

• direct from the process controller (PLC, SCADA, HMI)
• using auto ID, either Barcodes or RFID tags (Radio Frequency Identification)
• Validate manual collected data as it is entered into computer terminals (handheld or otherwise)
• Use computerised manufacturing execution systems for data management

The benefits include:

• Reduced direct and indirect information processing costs
• Operators are relieved from filling out paperwork and have real time accurate information at their disposal
• Increased customer value through greatly increased ability to change the production schedule, packing and delivery requirements etc at the last minute.
• Less paper chasing, expediting and aggravation in the office
• Real time data available for decision making across the organisation.
• Poor performance data is available real time and in the public domain (inside the organisation), empowering employees to react to a negative situation before they need to be instructed to do so by a supervisor
  

See also

Real Time Performance Measurement

Overall Equipment Effectiveness

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