Totalitarian approach

One option to overcome the communication chaos problem is to use an “all in one” product dedicated to integrating manufacturing management. Usually, it is provided as one complex, total system – let’s call it a suppersystem. Most of the MES (Manufacturing Execution System) vendors offer theirs products as a panacea for all problems of the chaotic system integration. In fact, they provide a centralized processing system using adapted off-the-shelf products instead of realizing integration functions and providing a solution that allows for flexible management of process data.

Of course, this strategy is beneficial to vendors but it could be very dangerous for the users.

Figure 1: Centralization instead of integration

Implementation of a certain management platform is not a short term task. In view of many years of operation we have to face up to the following consequences of any supersystem application:

1. High starting expenses –applying of a supersystem is not a cheap solution. Only software price may seem attractive but unavoidable engineering and implementing costs could be very high.

2. Loss of the previous investments– this approach usually requires that many of the existing systems are removed, which means wasting of investment founds.

3. Monopolization of the provider’s role – on the free market, customers have a privileged position, because generally they can select products and, as a consequence, vendors. But in the case of supersystems engagement it is a one way route - it is extremely difficult to abandon the selection. In other words, it means that customers lose their initial strong position and, thus, maintenance and development prices might be raised.

4. Does the supersystem really exist? – The supersystems offer very reach functionalities and meet almost everyone’s expectations. But the word “almost” in the previous sentence can make a real difference. Because it is practically impossible to provide a fully universal system, there is a risk that we should have to modify the problem so that it could be solved by the utilized system.

5. Withdrawal from the market - there is clear evidence that even reputable vendors cease to provide whole groups of products over night. As a consequence, they usually do not provide development and support services any more causing many troubles with keeping the system running.

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