Information management in MES ensures that data becomes actionable knowledge.
It consolidates all feedback from machines, personnel, quality, and materials into one central system for analysis.
According to VDI 5600, information management is a core MES function that provides the foundation for fact-based decision-making at every production level.
The goal is the transparent delivery of relevant information to all roles in manufacturing – from operators to management.
Dashboards, reports, and analytics make performance indicators, deviations, and trends immediately visible.
This enables faster reactions, better planning, and continuous improvement.
Creating and maintaining real-time dashboards for lines, machines, and plants
Calculating and visualizing KPIs (OEE, availability, scrap, productivity)
Performing trend and deviation analyses for performance and quality
Providing reports for different roles and management levels
Integrating with BI systems and management reporting
Sending alerts and notifications for predefined thresholds or events
Better decisions: up-to-date KPIs and real-time reporting
Higher transparency: complete visibility into production and performance losses
Faster response: automated alerts for deviations or downtime
More efficient meetings: digital shopfloor boards replace Excel and paper
Continuous improvement: data-driven identification of optimization potential
A metalworking company implements MES dashboards to visualize real-time production data.
Supervisors immediately see bottlenecks and downtime causes.
Result: 8 % higher output, faster reaction times, and clearer improvement priorities.
Information management serves as the connection point for all MES modules:
receives process, quality, material, and personnel data from other functions
consolidates real-time input from data collection (BDE/MDE)
provides KPIs to scheduling and management levels
supports quality management with SPC and audit information
MES information management turns raw production data into meaningful insight.
It is the key to transparency, efficiency, and continuous improvement – the foundation of data-driven manufacturing optimization.