increasing requirements of authorities. But, what is MES, how
does it help you and how to find someone to build the MES
system?
MES originally stood for Manufacturing Execution Systems.
Nowadays the abbreviation has evolved to Manufacturing
Enterprise Solutions, because MES is no longer limited to the
execution. MES is the generic term for a set of software tools,
which connects automation systems, collects data and processes
it to useful information. The main objective of MES is to
contribute to your business drivers by integrating automation
systems and so making relevant information available on all
business levels.
To discover the MES opportunities, to describe the required
functionality and to demarcate the project there is one
important tool: the standard ISA95. This standard, developed by
the Instrument Society of America, is more and more accepted
in the whole industry. One function of ISA95 is providing a
common language, enabling automation suppliers, consultants and
end-users to understand each other. Further, ISA95 defines
several models to describe the functionality of a production
company and all relevant communication between the functional
departments. These models help us during the whole MES
project to define and check the required functionality.
CONCLUSIONTo make most of the legally required investments on traceability,
relatively minor additional investments can yield very attractive
benefits.
The required costs are relatively small, since a lot of
information is already available in various locations over the
supply chain. Traceability systems in essence open up several
large opportunities that can benefit the business to a great
extent.
Implementing tracking and tracing systems require a thorough
analysis of the business processes, which expose existing gaps or
inefficiencies. These can subsequently be optimized, for example
assisted by tools like ISA95. There are lots of good reasons
which can benefit all stakeholders over the grain supply chain.
Royal Haskoning can assist in finding optimal solutions for
customers’ specific situations.
Royal Haskoning has a very wide experience and knowledge
of relevant fields such as dry bulk handling, logistics, and food
processing and is pleased to assist in developing new or
optimized concepts and enhancing performance of operations.
Royal Haskoning is capable of analyzing and optimizing the
complete supply chain, for various stakeholders together. This
leads to truly optimal solutions instead of suboptimal solutions,
delivering true added value for each client.
The wide capability of Royal Haskoning on dry bulk and
agribulk is described below.
ROYAL HASKONINGRoyal Haskoning is an independent, multi-disciplinary consultancy
with its head office based in the Netherlands. The company was
originally founded in 1881 and was the very first private
consulting engineering practice in The Netherlands. It has been
active overseas for over 100 years, successfully carrying out
projects throughout the world.
Royal Haskoning is major force in the development of
maritime port and transport infrastructure and integrates
sophisticated planning, design and implementation expertise,
including contractual, legal, risk, supervision and financial skills.
The firm’s expertise covers many fields of infrastructure
development — over water, at the water’s edge and inland. The
multi-disciplinary nature of the organization enables a complete
and comprehensive service to be offered to the client that
covers all stages of a project from conception to completion.
A history in agribulk
The Industrial Concepts division within Royal Haskoning has a
long history in the handling and storage of grains and derivatives,
having its roots in the consultancy department of the largest
stevedore Grain Elevator Company (GEM) in the port of
Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
A future in agribulk
Royal Haskoning constantly updates and improves its knowledge
and know-how in order to provide the best services to its
clients. With its computer model of the agribulk terminal
logistics covering all materials handling aspects including loading
and/or unloading of sea-going vessels, barges, railcars and trucks,
storage demands and hinterland connections, it has a strong tool
to efficiently and effectively assess the needs of any client in the
agribulk business.
Through its experience in grain handling and storage Royal
Haskoning has extensive knowledge in the area of dust
suppression and dust explosion prevention (ATEX).
Materials handling experts
Starting out as an expert in the handling and storage of agribulk
materials, Royal Haskoning over the years has developed into an
expert group for the handling and storage of all kinds of dry
bulk materials including coal, iron ore, fertilizers, aggregates.
Its services cover all stages of project development such as:
- pre-investment studies and consultancy;
- conceptual design and feasibility studies;
- detailed tender design;
- preparation of tender documents and contracting;
- construction management and commissioning; and
- start-up assistance and training.