Manufacturing execution systems (MES) have been around for quite a while, and there are hundreds of choices out there.
As MES software covers a broad and often loose range of added-value topics, it is rare to find any two systems that offer the same scope of functionality, especially given the rapid progress of related IT technologies, such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and initiatives such as the “Smart Factory.” It is therefore important to understand the principles and technologies behind MES software, so it will work for your needs, rather than the other way around.