A central element in Industry 4.0 is IT-supported manufacturing. "Technological progress cannot be halted and this has caused the number of self-regulating systems on the factory floor to grow, making unobstructed access to all relevant data even more important," explains Prof. Jürgen Kletti, Head of the MES study group at the VDI and Chairman of the MES D.A.CH. Association.

Modern manufacturing execution systems make controlling in real time possible in order to influence the manufacturing process in a timely manner to prevent disturbances. Simulations of the manufacturing process help anticipate performance, optimize designs, and assess product performance. In addition, system installations can be organized using MES.

At the leading global trade show for integrated processes and IT solutions the subject of manufacturing execution is gaining importance. Among the companies presenting new MES solutions in Halls 6 to 8 are Forcam GmbH, Proxia Software and PSIPenta Software Systems.

Alongside the exhibition, the MES Conference on April 28 will showcase concrete examples of use from various sectors. This event at the convention center will be held in conjunction with Digital Factory and Industrial Automation and is aimed at manufacturers and their suppliers and the process industry. In line with its slogan "flexible, fast, transparent", experts will demonstrate how production and manufacturing processes can be made more efficient with the aid of intelligent MES solutions. For the first time a final panel discussion will close the 2016 MES Conference: Experts and representatives of industrial associations will talk about the influence of visual design on the manufacturing landscape with software manufacturers and users.

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Interactive infographic: Integrated Industry

The factory of the future is intelligent and fully networked. Conventional mechanical engineering meets innovative IT, creating entirely new business models. Discover solutions of the future.

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