Many small and medium-sized enterprises lack the infrastructure and resources to deploy and operate a manufacturing execution system. At first glance, complex business software appears to add to their burden rather than relieve it as smaller often struggle with expensive roll-outs, updates and server operating costs.

However, MES does actually provide SMEs with significant benefits, such as improved efficiency and quality assurance. iTAC Software AG has extended its provisioning concept to include SaaS and cloud computing models which provide SMEs with simple access to MES.

Both of these deployments provide an abstraction between the computing resource and its underlying technical architecture to facilitate the flexible and scalable operation of the entire IT architecture by an external service provider. The service provider operates a pool of abstracted, highly scalable and managed computing resources. The company's applications are pooled in this "cloud" and provisioned to the company for its dynamic business processes on demand. With the SaaS principle, the provider also operates the software and makes it available via the internet. The provider is responsible for installation, configuration, maintenance and updates. The user only needs standard internet access and is billed on a pay per use basis.

Customised service for small, medium and large-scale enterprises
This model isn't just a worthwhile option for SMEs. Larger sized enterprises are also increasingly having to respond flexibly to developments as a result of globalisation, market changes and pressure to adapt. They have to build up, dissolve and restructure organisations within a very short time often introducing distributed applications. They can only respond with systems that can be implemented simply and quickly around the world, without the need to set up a complex internal infrastructure.

The technological basis of iTAC.ARTES. Fast response times and high availability
iTAC Software AG's Version 7 of its Manufacturing Execution System (MES) sets the course for "digital factory 2.0". It incorporates sophisticated technology which supports cloud computing. The technological basis for an SaaS-based MES software is the iTAC.ARTES technology platform, which is based on a standardised Java EE software architecture. iTAC.ARTES facilitates efficient, high-availability communication, even when the MES is operated at a data centre.

A flexible and affordable future with SaaS, IaaS and Cloud IT
The iTAC.MES.Suite's system architecture and technology satisfies all requirements for the software's use in an infrastructure as a service or as an SaaS solution on a Cloud IT basis.

IaaS makes it possible for the inexpensive provisioning of MES as a central hosting solution with minimum operating costs. This hosting can be performed by the customer itself or via an external data centre. The SaaS model has all the classic advantages such as no initial investment in a software license or in system operation hardware. All costs are billed on a pay per use basis, including hard and software operation and maintenance.

Summary - The iTAC.MES.Suite 7 is a sustainable and affordable traceability/MES solution for both large-scale enterprises and SMEs. It can be deployed accordingto individual requirements and development specifications, and facilitates quality, cost and resource-aware production operations which lead to competitive advantages for manufacturing enterprises.

Case study Fujitsu "iTAC"