Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) assessment and investment decision study

Manufacturing execution systems (MES), a category of industrial software for the manufacturing environment, is grasping increasing attention, due to its unique ability to improve manufacturing performance, and then to have a positive impact on the financial performance of the company. For many executives, whether to implement MES to improve manufacturing and financial performance is an issue they must encounter. Since what MES brings about are not only benefits and potential opportunities, but also costs and potential risks, a comprehensive and systematic assessment is absolutely necessary before making such a critical investment decision. This paper proposes a decision methodology for MES investment decision making. In addition, a general decision model with respect to Benefits, Opportunities, Costs and Risks merits is provided. The decision methodology and decision model are validated by an undershirt manufacturer in China, by applying analytic network process (ANP) method.