How to choose MES system in 2026? The difference between discrete manufacturing and process manufacturing

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Many factory owners are learning for the first timeMES systemAt that time, I would be confused by a question - why is it also called "MES" for hardware factories and forchemical plantDo you look completely different?

This brings us to the most basic classification of manufacturing industry:discrete manufacturingAnd process manufacturing. Understanding this difference, choosing MES can save you a big detour.

Core difference: One is "building blocks", and the other is "pouring formula"

The essence of discrete manufacturing is physical assembly. Process and assemble a pile of components into finished products step by step according to the process. For example, making a wrench: cutting → forging →heat treatment→ Polishing → Assembly → Packaging. There is a clear rhythm between each process, and you can count clearly how many wrenches were made today.

The essence of process manufacturing is chemistry orphysical changeMix, react, separate, purify raw materials, and ultimately turn them into products. For example, making paint: resin+pigment+solvent+Auxiliary agent → stirring and dispersing → grinding → color adjustment → filling. This process is continuous, and it is difficult to say how many times we have achieved it now.

What is the difference in demand for MES?

The discrete manufacturing of pipes involves "process+quantity". The core function isWork Order SchedulingAnd progress tracking - which process has this batch of goods completed? How many things did you do today? How much left to do? So the core modules of discrete manufacturing MES are usually work order management, work report collection, quality inspection, and progress dashboard.

For example, one doesPrecision Sheet MetalThe factory processes hundreds of work orders every day, and each work order goes through five processes: laser cutting, bending, welding, polishing, and spraying. What the boss wants to know the most is' which process each order is currently in ', not the total output for this month.

The process of manufacturing involves "formula+parameters". The core requirement isProcess formula managementProcess parameter monitoringBatch number traceabilityAnd energy consumption statistics. With the same system budget of 2 million, process manufacturing may cost 1 millionSensorOnData Acquisition, discrete manufacturing may cost 1 million yuan on workstation terminals and scanning equipment.

Most MES on the market actually lean towards discrete manufacturing

Let's talk about a reality you may not have noticed: 80% of products in the domestic MES market are designed for discrete manufacturing. The reason is simple - the demand for discrete manufacturing is more universal, and the three modules of work order, work report, and kanban can cover most scenarios.

The formula and process of each process manufacturing company are different, almost like "one factory, one system", with a low degree of standardization. That's also why process manufacturing MES mainly focuses on project-based customization, with prices starting at hundreds of thousands, and process oriented small factories with less than 100 people can hardly afford it.

What kind of factory does your factory belong to?

The simplest method of judgment is to see if your product can be disassembled.

Can be counted one by one - wrench, screw, motorCircuit BoardClothing - this is discrete manufacturing.

What cannot be disassembled or poured out - gasoline, paint, medicine, beverages, fertilizers - this is process manufacturing.

If you are in discrete manufacturing, work order management and progressvisualizationThis is the first feature you should be concerned about. Three point spiritDigital FactoryOur positioning is to serve small and medium-sized enterprises in discrete manufacturing, visualizing work order execution, collecting work report data Real-timeProduction KanbanIt's clear at a glance, and you don't need to spend hundreds of thousands to manage the workshop.

If you are in process manufacturing, the core focus should be on formula management, process parameter collection, and batch traceability capabilities. The direction of the selected system is completely different from discrete manufacturing.