Measuring the Turnaround in Business Performance due to WMS and MES Implementation in a Process Manufacturing Client

Abstract

The Warehouse Management System (WMS) and the Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) have proven to be of massive help in increasing the organization’s productivity and its ability to execute key logistic functions with great efficiency and effectiveness. The process manufacturing industry has a unique setup and requires good collaboration between the different elements of the supply chain to operate at the highest efficiency. At the same time, the shop floor operators must have a good understanding of the new WMS/MES systems to derive maximum benefit from them. This paper dwells into the business improvements witnessed by an alcoholic beverage client after successfully implementing the WMS and MES solutions. The paper includes a literature review of the benefits and risks in WMS/MES implementation. Also, the literature is supported by a case study wherein the client’s business and operational challenges are discussed, and the improvements resulting from the project implementation. The WMS and MES were found to have a positive impact on business performance and it was observed that a project of such scale needs diligent planning and effective implementation for maximum benefits.