Case Study of a Plant to Enterprise Solution

This white paper portrays a case study of a MES harmonization programme started in 2004 at Akzo Nobel Base Chemicals in Europe. The objective of this programme is to harmonize all its chemicals plants on one MES platform. The total programme encompasses 13 plants located on 7 production sites in 4 European countries.

The main objective of Akzo Nobel Base Chemicals was to create an adequate uniform environment for all plants to be able to improve harmonization of plant information, create one-way-of-working on production accounting and engage better opportunities for plant performance benchmarking. From a business point of view, this program clears a path to improve quality and overall business performance. This MES system would then mainly focus on acquiring plant information, creating possibilities for plant performance benchmarking and harmonizing the plant IT infrastructure. This MES system will not be intended to interact with the physical process control.

The final conclusion of performing such a comprehensive MES harmonization programme is that the programme itself will lead to some quick wins, but it is these new opportunities that will lead to substantial wins in the long run. You have to be persistent and persevere in completing the programme. Such a programme is a long term strategy and in the end it will certainly pay off.