| A | MES (often referred to as Manufacturing Operations Management, or MOM) is a “must have” for mid- to large-scale semiconductor and solar cell producers to expand and grow in market share. MOM is very necessary to characterize, optimize, and scale manufacturing operations processes to bring up volume and quality while maintaining low cost. Most big semi and solar players have implemented ERP with a separate set of MES/MOM solutions to handle complex factory workflows and short product lifecycles. Some utilize advanced process control systems to control physical plants, pipelines, complex tooling, and heating equipment. MOM best practices and benchmarks for semiconductor or solar industries are still not consolidated or developed to the extent where they describe how best to integrate semi and evolving solar equipment with MES/MOM systems. We strongly recommend engaging a qualified MOM consultant to provide the best insight due to the lack of real hard data or broad-based best practices studies. We also recommend participating in MESA, ISA, SEMATECH, etc. to solicit best practices approaches through literature searches and networking with many MOM/MES end users from many end user companies in many verticals. As well, the Managing Automation site has another great resource in the TechMATCH feature to compare vendors based on the features. In particular, MESA publishes a number of guidebooks, research studies, and white papers as well as the yearly MES/MOM Product Survey, which explain a number of best practice evaluation approaches on how to do an MES/MOM Value Benefits Analysis. Please refer to www.mesa.org for further information. We strongly recommend the approach of utilizing a consultant as the best way to derive an informed decision and evenly weighted perspective. What is best for one company in an industry is not necessarily best for another. Invest in a discovery assessment followed by a more formal RFP selection process that invites a short list of vendors to demonstrate solutions to your documented needs. This gets you directly in touch with the most viable solutions and associated pros, cons, and compromises. MES/MOM solutions have matured in the semiconductor industry over 20 years; MES systems are leveraged by most big producers to enable a make-to-order global supply chain. However, each vendor and system integrator has its pros and cons. Generally speaking, mature players tend to have very complete solutions on dated architectures that deal with very detailed semi production, but, on the other hand, are slow to adapt to newer software technologies and architectures. Their solution may be easier to implement, but harder to evolve in the future and more expensive to own. Newer players may not have complete solutions, but are flexible, generally cheaper to own, and take advantage of newer software technologies. These solutions take more customization initially, but also adapt to newer, specific requirements quickly. AS an MES/MOM best practices organization, MESA does not endorse one vendor’s approach over another, but provides perspectives on various best-practice approaches. As not to show favoritism to any vendor and to show respect to the intellectual property of end users, MESA is not able to broker end user references except by facilitating networking within MESA by individuals and companies. |