Manufacturing execution system
A manufacturing execution system for assembly lines
factoryapps is a cloud MES for discrete manufacturers that build products in steps at stations. Operators follow guided steps on a tablet. Each result is saved against the unit, and supervisors see first-pass yield and cycle time while the line runs.
What an MES does
A manufacturing execution system (MES) sits between your ERP and the shop floor. The ERP decides what to build and when. The MES runs the build: it shows each station what to do, records what happened to each unit, and reports yield and cycle time to the people who run the line.
factoryapps covers the part of MES that an assembly floor uses every hour: work instructions at the station, checks at each step, the history of each unit, and line metrics.
What factoryapps records
Every record ties back to the work order, item, revision and work instruction version that produced it. Step results are written once and never edited.
Work orders on a line
Create and release work orders in the app or import them from a CSV. A supervisor runs a released order on a line.
Every step on every unit
Each step result is stored with its station, its time and how long it took.
Pass or fail decided by the server
Readings are checked against the step's limits on the server, so a tablet can't pass a bad unit.
Failures with a reason
A failed step takes a reason code from your own list. The unit finishes in rework with the failure on its record.
Serials and lots
A step can scan a serial off the unit or assign the next one. Traceability finds any unit by serial or lot.
Line metrics
First-pass yield, cycle time by step and the failure Pareto, sliced by line, station, item or reason, and exported to CSV.
Who it fits
Manufacturers that assemble discrete products at stations: electromechanical assemblies, pumps and valves, electronics, cable and harness work, and similar builds. Most start on one line with paper travelers or spreadsheets and add lines after the first one runs.
What you need to start
A tablet with a web browser at each station and a TV with a browser stick for the line dashboard. USB and Bluetooth barcode scanners work without setup. factoryapps runs in our US cloud on Microsoft Azure, so there is nothing to install on your network.
Common questions
What is the difference between an MES and an ERP?
An ERP plans and accounts for production: items, BOMs, inventory, purchasing, costing and work orders. An MES runs production on the floor: what each station does, what happened to each unit, and how the line is performing right now. Most manufacturers run both.
Is factoryapps a cloud MES?
Yes. It runs in a browser and is hosted on Microsoft Azure in the US. Station tablets and line dashboards need only a network connection.
Do we need an ERP to use it?
No. Create items and work orders in the app or import them from a spreadsheet. If you run NetSuite or Epicor Kinetic, import from its CSV exports.
How long does setup take?
Days for the first line. Enter or import your items, add stations and work instructions, pair the tablets and badge in.
How is it priced?
By the number of lines and stations you run. Tell us about your floor and we'll send a proposal.
Start with one line.
Join early access and we'll set up your first line with you.