The MES Guide for Executives: Why and How to Select, Implement, and Maintain a Manufacturing Execution System explains, in clear and accessible terms, what manufacturing execution systems (MES) are, when they are needed and how to select, implement and maintain them. It guides managers and IT leaders through practical topics, including the limitations of ERP systems on the shop floor; core MES functions such as scheduling, recipe and product definition management; historians; reporting; dashboards; tracking and tracing; and realistic costs and benefits. MES Guide for Executives also provides guidance on writing user requirements, conducting a vendor selection process, preparing an organization for rollout and determining whether to opt for Engineering or IT ownership. For companies with multiple plants, it explains how to build a multi-site MES template and a central competence center, demonstrating how the ISA-95 standard enhances communication and reduces integration costs. This book uses real-world examples and "from-the-trenches" cases throughout to make complex ideas accessible to nontechnical executives and managers.