Manufacturing execution systems and ERP integration: A happy manufacturing marriage?

It used to be what happened on the plant floor stayed on the plant floor.
The manufacturing execution system (MES) -- a central system for managing all manufacturing information such as resource allocation, manufacturing planning, supply chain information and quality inspection numbers -- operated as an isolated and self-contained system.
Similarly, the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, which pulls together and stores business operating information about human resources, accounting, customer relationship management and other financials, hummed along independently. Both systems have always been critical to the manufacturing organization, but until recently, had never been linked.  

manufacturing execution system (MES)

A manufacturing execution system (MES) is a control system for managing and monitoring work-in-process on a factory floor. An MES keeps track of all manufacturing information in real time, receiving up-to-the-minute data from robots, machine monitors and employees. Although manufacturing execution systems used to operate as self-contained systems, they are increasingly being integrated with enterprise resource planning (ERP) software suites. The goal of a manufacturing execution system is to improve productivity and reduce cycle-time, the total time to produce an order. By integrating an MES with ERP software, factory managers can be proactive about ensuring the delivery of quality products in a timely, cost-effective manner.