In this article
You’ll discover the pros and cons of the following industrial systems:
The primary use of MES software is for operational production management. By monitoring the production floor with MES, companies know exactly how many products will be produced by a certain machine and how long a single piece takes to make. They can also monitor the work of individual operators or analyze the reasons for any unplanned machinery downtime.
These insights help to understand the conditions on a factory floor and provide data for procedural improvements and optimizations. It also enables efficient production planning because you have all the necessary information, including everything from resource allocation and production planning to operation sync across sites and QC recordings, to scheduling your production capacities precisely and solving any potential bottlenecks.
So, what are the downsides of manufacturing execution systems? Historically, MES software was proprietary and only worked with other systems or apps provided by the same vendor, resulting in a vendor lock-in. Fortunately, the MES vendors have started to open up their systems by offering an API that you can use to connect the software to other systems. MES remains valuable for managing production workflows, traceability, and quality control in manufacturing settings, while IoT focuses on connecting devices and enabling data exchange between them. The IoT platforms also allow organizations to build new applications and then iterate upon them without upsetting the broader system.
SCADA systems are designed for real-time monitoring and control of devices and operations. They consist of software and hardware components focused on on-site data gathering from industrial equipment and machinery management.
As a legacy technology that´s only slowly implementing new components, these systems still largely rely on wired data transfer methods and device control. Most SCADA systems use PLC and RTU units to gather data; meaning users or operators need a specific workstation to access it.
Generally speaking, these systems are purposely built for a specific use case, like a particular production line, presenting you with quite a few challenges if you ever want to tweak or scale them. The centralized nature of SCADA systems also makes sharing data across various branches or production sites difficult, limiting the subsequent use of data for tasks such as big data analysis or machine learning to on-site work.
The third widely used solution for monitoring industrial operations is an IIoT platform. They act as a middle layer connecting processes on a factory floor to back-end systems. Imagine linking hardware components such as sensors or gateways with software like app builders or analytics. These platforms offer a decentralized open system with great scalability, easily accessible data formats (e.g., JSON), and quick adaptability to new technologies.
Simply put, it’s a modern approach that complements the previous systems and brings new possibilities not offered by either MES or SCADA – from remote data collection and management, through remote device configuration and control, to comprehensive industrial process automation. And unlike the two legacy systems, the IoT platforms offer tools for developing new applications and products. You can learn more about the benefits of IIoT systems in our previous article.
While each of these systems was created at a different time and excels at solving a slightly different problem, the IIoT platforms pull ahead in today's world simply due to their scalability, the volume of data they can collect and process, and up-to-date security. Ideally, the three combine and complement each other to provide 360° visibility into your operations.
But sometimes, adopting a legacy technology to modern standards is more work than what it’s worth. And that’s precisely where you’ll get the most out of Spotflow – an industrial IoT platform, which offers a comprehensive and agile solution rather than a specific tool or technology for a singular use case.
