Siemens plans modular MES solutions

Staff -- Control Engineering, 7/1/2000

Princeton, N.J.—Siemens is responding to the need to integrate software and add functionality between plant-floor solutions and enterprise resource planning systems. A framework will likely be released in the first half of 2001, but the first modular manufacturing execution system (MES) software that will fit into the framework will be launched later this year.

The first module will be offered via a partnering agreement with Ivara (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), a manufacturer of maintenance management MES software. Siemens also plans to develop some modules itself.

Paul Camuti, gm of Siemens Energy & Automation's Industrial Software Business Unit, says there's been no unified push in the MES software area so far. "We're not going to wait around for someone else to create an MES framework, when we have the technology to deploy one. It's not a Siemens issue, but a market issue. We're in a strong position to provide this." Mr. Camuti suggests there's great demand for software and services, and the demand plays into Siemens' strengths, connecting plant floor devices and software with other enterprise areas. The company referred to these developments during its May 24-25 media and analysts' event in Chicago.

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