b'Partner News Summer 2023 31Corporatelogistical control and production systems. The MES solutions we deliver adopt a Opening bidirectional flow of informationtransformation approach and some of across the logical layers of organisation.the key elements we consider as part ofThere are clear synergies that Transformational approach are:Secure, accurate, reliably available databetween the direction ofwith efficient communications are essentialEstablishing a clear understanding of thetravel for Industry 4.0to MES systems, so this horizontalclients requirements and values the client and vertical integration will be a keyis aiming to achieve from the MES system. and MES solutions.component of future MES solutions. Assessing the current connectivity and availability of data.Ontologies and semantic based models Ensuring Key Stakeholder engagement There is a broad range of MES softwareearly in the MES development and providers on the market, but no definitivemaintaining this throughout the life cycle.alignment on the methods which will beMaking sure there is a cultural adoption adopted to address the requirement toof the MES at the centre of operation. align with Industry 4.0 development.Recognising that MES solutions are often most effective when treated However, the adoption of an ontology- as iterative ongoing project rather based approach and provision for semanticthan a one-time CAPEX project.based models in product roadmaps, should provide a common specificationThe Transformation approach we take and framework for the developmentto MES projects is closely aligned to our and application of MES solutions. Digitalisation approach which facilitates an easier transition to Industry 4.0 Through adopting an Ontology-basedMES solutions as the technology and approach the overall data information isfunctionality become more readily available.organised into an information model or dictionary, made of concepts, relations,There are clear synergies between the functions, axioms and instances, effectivelydirection of travel for Industry 4.0 and allowing the user to ask questions aboutMES solutions, moreover the infrastructure what is happening in an organic way. and greater connectivity offered by These Semantic models provide a frameworkIndustry 4.0 projects will reduce design and structure for the MES system whileand implementation time of MES systems achieving the requirements of Industryand increase the benefits and efficiencies 4.0 and ensuring the interoperability ofgained by the MES system deployed.different systems in an enterprise. How quickly the benefits of greater This will lead to increased modularisationconnectivity and the use of established of systems to cater for the specificOntologies and Semantic models will requirements of the enterpriselargely depend on the effectiveness and their information flows.of the development of harmonised, common ontologies and the time Deploying MES solutions today and accuracy with which software Current technologies do not have thevendors implement the functionality.functionality to establish Semantic models and use Ontologies, so deploymentThis will not be an overnight development of MES solutions can be complex, andand much like a highly effective MES system interconnectivity and data flows are awill need good communication, an iterative key consideration of the development. approach and a shared vision by stakeholders.'