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Quality management systems (QMS) and manufacturing execution systems (MES) are often used together in an effort to improve efficiency, productivity, & quality. While these two systems serve very different purposes, they can be integrated to improve outcomes even more. Today we’ll explore the differences between QMS and MES as well as how they can be integrated for better results.

MES vs QMS –  first difference is what they measure

It’s important to note that the first difference between QMS and MES is what they measure. The term “quality” is all about planning, while “performance” is about doing. A QMS focuses on establishing a large, enterprise-wide system that manages quality in accordance with a company’s standards. But an MES focuses on implementing systems that provide real-time reporting and production data.

MES works closely with its counterpart, but it doesn’t need to be as complex because it doesn’t have the same scope of responsibility. Instead of managing an entire company’s quality assurance efforts across multiple departments and locations, it simply provides insight into how individual employees are performing on their jobs today. When used together—MES feeding data into the larger picture represented by QMS—both systems can create a clear picture of overall performance at any given time.

 

MES-QMS

Image source: Elevated Signals

QMS focuses on the processes of a business while MES focuses on what’s happening at the shop floor level

In a nutshell, quality management systems (QMS) focus on the processes of a business. This is not to be confused with quality control (QC), which is an important part of both MES and QMS.

MES, on the other hand, focuses on what’s happening at the shop floor level. It records every detail that happens in manufacturing and tracks its progress through production lines to ensure consistency and accuracy across an entire operation.

QMS focuses on planning, while MES focuses on doing

QMS, or quality management system, focuses on the overall system. It’s an overarching method that takes into account all of the steps involved in manufacturing a product. MES, or manufacturing execution systems, is more granular and specific to the individual processes within your company.

The main difference between QMS and MES is that one focuses on planning and the other focuses on doing. If you want to know what needs to be done for quality control standards across multiple departments during production, then QMS is for you. For example, if your company produces tires for cars but has no way of tracking whether they’re being made safely or efficiently enough (or at all), then implementing a QMS would allow employees throughout each step of production.

QMS are large, enterprise systems that help ensure consistency and accuracy across an entire operation

A QMS is a collection of policies, procedures, and practices that help an organization achieve its quality objectives. A QMS can be applied to any process or product, from the manufacturing floor to customer service.

In a sense, it’s a framework for integrating all your quality activities into one cohesive program. It also ensures consistency throughout your operation as well as accuracy in all aspects of your business—from design to production to delivery.

While there are many aspects of an effective QMS, some key components include:

  • A clear mission statement describing the purpose of the company;
  • A set of objectives describing what you hope to achieve;
  • A set of performance standards against which you will measure success;
  • An overview of how your company intends on achieving these goals;

MES focuses on specific issues or problems in order to improve processes for better outcomes and results

  • MES is a tool for improving processes.
  • MES focuses on specific issues or problems in order to improve processes for better outcomes and results.
  • MES can be used to solve problems, improve quality, reduce costs, reduce waste and increase efficiency.

Integrating these two systems can improve productivity and quality

Integrating these two systems can help improve productivity and quality.

In order to integrate MES and QMS, you will need to:

  • Map the systems together so that they work together seamlessly. This means that every piece of data that is collected in one system is also accessible by the other system.
  • Use automation tools to make sure all the processes run smoothly, even when you have multiple shifts or locations working at once (and often with different teams).
  • Choose software designed specifically for your needs so that it’s easier to use and understand—and less likely to cause confusion or frustration among employees who are using it every day on the job site!

Isolocity QMS has integration with Elevated Signals, an MES platform. Therefore the data can easily flow between these two platforms. Check this article for more information on this – Isolocity and Elevated Signals Integration.

Conclusion

There are plenty of benefits to integrating these systems. Not only will you get a more accurate picture of what’s happening in your plants, but also have the ability to provide better feedback to workers and managers. This can help them make better decisions going forward so that they can do their jobs more efficiently or even automate processes that have been manual up until now!