In a highly competitive and regulated food industry, data-driven decisions are a powerful tool for manufacturers. Data accessibility and speed in making decisions have become crucial in the context of Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, day-to-day compliance, and efficiency.
MES industry statistics show that 70% of companies state that implementing a manufacturing execution system (MES) has led to enhanced decision-making capabilities. Indeed, MES drives digital transformation in manufacturing and revolutionizes decision-making by enabling more accessible data collection and processing.
This blog will tell you what data-driven decision-making is and how MES improves decision-making in food production.
What Is Data-Driven Decision-Making in the Food Industry?
Data-driven decision-making (DDDM) means making business decisions regarding production, operations, customer satisfaction, supply chain, and other aspects after having analyzed given facts and metrics to adhere to business strategies and vision.
For this purpose, decision-makers can gather data from various sources, such as performance reports, analytics, actionable insights, customer feedback, etc.
The Role of Data-Driven Decision-Making
Each decision has its own outcomes, and food companies want them to be positive. Data-driven decision processes drive work optimization, profit growth, a strong reputation, and reduced costs, and that’s not even the end of the list!
The food industry is strict and demanding, so leveraging real-time data is critical to compliance and success. Moreover, the strategy will help filter the information flow and get the verified data. This is why you need MES data for decision-making.
How Does MES Help Make Better Decisions?
One of the most outstanding MES benefits is informed decision-making. In addition to digitized operations and streamlined production, you will get maximum transparency and ease when making tough choices (and not only).
For example, world-leading food companies such as Danone, Mars, and Kraft Heinz utilize MES data for decision-making. The system enables real-time data collection on regulatory compliance, quality, production performance, etc. It helps them react promptly to issues, achieve production transparency, and make timely decisions. Sounds fascinating? Let’s see how it works!
1. MES Provides Real-time, Accurate Data
MES improves data accuracy; this is not just a general assumption but a fact. The Global MES Industry Statistics report by Worldmetrics.org indicates that 67% of organizations reported enhanced data accuracy after implementing MES. That’s impressive!
Manufacturing execution systems collect data in real time from different sources, such as equipment or human activities. Together, they enable decision-makers to get a complete picture of what is happening in place and consider all the crucial aspects of production.
What’s more, the data updates constantly, enabling information flow that helps keep up with the changes, improve uptime, and minimize mistakes. The world is changing at an insane pace, and so is the food industry with its regulations and trends. MES helps you stay tuned and find the right solutions.
2. MES Enables Predictive Analytics
Looking ahead is as critical as considering existing facts. The data collected by MES also serves as a tool to predict future trends, risks, and opportunities. Predictive analytics by MES will enable better planning, scheduling, and more precise inventory management.
You will be more sure about future actions and won’t waste time assuming and guessing. What can be better than awareness in further actions?
3. The System Helps With Food Safety Compliance
MES features help comply with local and state regulations. This helps you stay up-to-date with the latest requirements and drive compliance-oriented decisions. You will know how to act according to food safety standards.
Compliance is crucial for food and beverage manufacturers, and MES helps gather information to ensure adherence to every aspect of food safety and quality.
4. MES Centralizes Data
A manufacturing execution system synchronizes all the processes and lets you manage everything from one platform. You will no longer have to juggle multiple informational sources and will be able to process information efficiently with centralized real-time data.
Avoid wasting time and attention on unnecessary actions when trying to find the needed source. Simplicity and unity are key.
5. MES Integrates With Other Systems and Devices
You will also benefit from MES integration with ERP systems, Supply Chain Management, or IoT devices. Integrated systems and equipment facilitate and boost information exchange and synchronization on different levels, again making you more capable of making effective decisions.
Smart manufacturing goes beyond a single platform and leverages integrated systems like MES, ERP, or IoT devices to ensure efficient, real-time data collection, enable real-time production monitoring, and eventually enhance decision-making.
As a result, food manufacturers will optimize their production, avoid mistakes, manage issues quickly, and achieve production line transparency.
Want to know why ERP systems matter? Read our blog about why ERP systems are important.
6. MES Fosters Better Communication
Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, lack of information, and other professional failures. MES fosters better communication and collaboration between workers at different levels and departments to facilitate data exchange.
7. Real-Time Analytics and Reporting Are Key
Real-time analytics in food manufacturing is essential. The manufacturing execution system will always keep you updated. Its comprehensive analytics and reporting features will help you stay current and make evidence-based decisions.
8. MES Automates Processes in Food Production
MES automates the workflow, taking over tedious and time-consuming tasks so that you can focus on more critical questions. Moreover, it will make the process error-proof and faster so you can get the work done more quickly and of better quality.
Let’s Wrap It Up
Data-driven decision-making is fundamental to a successful and thriving food business, and MES will help you better understand how to make informed decisions. Once you implement a manufacturing execution system, you will access real-time data, analytics, and reporting. Moreover, MES will use historical data to predict future trends and risks, giving you a better vision.
It will synchronize the environments and enable integrations with other systems to get a more centralized workflow. You will make decisions based on the latest compliance regulations. Lastly, MES fosters better communication, eliminating misunderstandings and simplifying the data flow.
The manufacturing execution system will boost the data-based decision-making process, help you find the best solutions for your business, and drive continuous improvement. Use the power of MES to be at the forefront of the food and beverage industry. Book a demo to find out more!
FAQs
MES collects and processes a lot of data, such as times, equipment performance, inventory data, quality metrics, etc.
MES gathers performance data and helps analyze the situation quickly so workers can promptly address and resolve the issues.
MES helps make data-driven decisions related to risk management as it tracks critical control points, making it easier to identify potential risks.
MES collects and stores quality data and other essential information for food safety audits. It will allow food businesses to prepare in real-time and access the needed information promptly during the HACCP, GMP, GFSI, FSMA, and other audits.
MES offers more robust and various features compared to traditional production management systems. Production management systems can solve more specific tasks like resource allocation, while MES improves decision-making, quality control, traceability, etc.