The demands for traceability in production are increasing from all sides, including authorities, consumers, and the production companies themselves.
As the requirements escalate and productions become larger and more complex, production data should not be collected manually and stored physically but instead managed digitally.
In this article, we take a closer look at the concept of a traceability system, based on the concept of MES (Manufacturing Execution System), as well as the benefits of implementing automated and digital traceability.
What is production traceability?
Traceability involves tracking a product from start to finish in the production process and further through the distribution chain.
This includes identifying raw materials, additives, packaging, and resources, as well as recording all activities and processes the product undergoes during production.
Traceability is crucial for documenting product quality, complying with regulations, and the ability to recall goods in case of errors.
Manufacturing Execution System: An Automated Traceability System for Production Companies
To meet the increasing demands, traceability information must be collected and stored in a way that is easily accessible and understandable.
This can be achieved by implementing a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), which digitizes and automates data collection across all production units.
MES offers traceability features such as batch tracking and serial number tracking, allowing tracking of individual batches or serial numbers through the production process, which is crucial in case of product recalls or quality issues.
Furthermore, MES enables full digital traceability by recording and tracking each component throughout production. Data collection allows for recording where and when each product is manufactured, materials used, and processes performed. As a result, it becomes possible to trace products back through the entire production chain.
Traceability of food and medicine
While traceability is important for all production companies, it is especially critical in sectors like food and medicine, where customers and authorities have stringent requirements.
To meet customer or authority standards and documentation requirements, it is crucial to be able to trace a product throughout the production process. An automated system ensures that no information is lost or incorrect data is entered and that data for traceability can be easily and reliably provided during audits.
Benefits of digital traceability in production
Resource savings
Digital traceability through MES replaces the need for manual data collection and registration, resulting in savings of both time and labor.
Higher data quality
Automation of data collection and processing increases the accuracy and reliability of production data, leading to higher data quality with fewer errors.
Competitive advantage
A reliable and up-to-date database facilitates easier optimization of production processes.
A scalable solution
MES is a scalable solution that can easily be transferred to new production lines and adapt to the company’s needs over time without losing efficiency or functionality.
Industry-specific certification
Digital traceability can help companies collect the data needed to obtain and maintain industry-specific certifications and standards. It is also possible to set up MES to collect ESG-relevant data.
Ensuring digital traceability in production
At integra2r, we are experts in providing digitization solutions that enable companies to streamline their production and logistics processes based on real-time data.
When we work with traceability in production, it is often based on the following steps:
Step 1: Pre-analysis of needs and documentation requirements
First and foremost, a thorough pre-analysis is needed to identify the company’s specific needs and the necessary documentation requirements. As a rule of thumb, the more potential points of failure in production, the more data needs to be collected and stored.
Step 2: Selection of MES software
Next, it’s about finding the software that best fits the company’s production. Typically, we use AVEVA or TrakSyS software in our MES solutions.
We also have experience in building software from scratch for production companies with special needs.
Step 3: Ensuring that data from all machines communicate
As a standard, a production environment consists of machines from different suppliers with different requirements for how they handle data. As MES consultants, we ensure the integration of the different systems so that data can be exchanged efficiently and reliably across the production process.
Step 4: Validating the data foundation
The data collected and recorded must be correct and comprehensive. We therefore carry out a comprehensive validation process to ensure that the data foundation meets the necessary standards and requirements.
Step 5: Customizing reporting
We develop tailored reporting solutions that allow the company to analyze and present production data in a user-friendly manner. The company determines the format in which they receive their data.
Step 6: Ongoing support and system maintenance
Once MES is successfully implemented, we also offer the option of a service agreement where we ensure that the system runs efficiently at all times. The agreement also includes preventive service checks with detailed reviews of critical production servers.
Do you have questions about traceability?
We hope you have gained insight into how MES can contribute to better traceability in your production. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our senior MES consultant, Anders Reinholdt, at arr@integra2r.com or (+45) 7370 8077.