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Each production order consists of a list of operations to be executed by (labor) resources on the production floor. Each day, labor resources on the shop floor will have a list of operations which need to be completed so that finished goods are delivered on time. 


Such users need to know what tasks they have for the day, the order in which tasks should be carried out, and which components are required to complete their task. DEAR MES mobile application makes this information available to users on the go and allows them to mark production actions as executed from a mobile device. Users can only see tasks that have been assigned to them. 


NOTE: MES application is part of the Advanced Manufacturing module and requires an add-on to your base subscription. Users whose subscription dates from before 1 September 2023 will continue to have the same level of access to MES as they previously held.


MES allows users to carry out the following actions directly from their workstation or device:

  • View production tasks that have been assigned to them.
  • Start, suspend, and complete operations
    • Track actual time elapsed in an operation
    • Specify output location
    • Specify batch/serial # and expiry date of finished products
    • Enter actual produced and wastage quantities
  • Consume components
    • Edit operation components and resources to reflect actual quantities
  • View notes and attachments
    • Add notes and attachments for production operations
  • Put away finished products
    • Pick finished products and components from shopfloor work centers
    • Put away picked items to any organization location


Actions executed in the MES application are passed to DEAR to initiate stock movements and accounting transactions for production orders, production run, capacity planner, and scheduler. 


NOTE: MES application requires Android 5.1+ or iOS 11. Application does not support offline mode. Devices can use the mobile device camera to scan barcodes by enabling Scanning via camera mode from the Settings


Prerequisites:


Table of Contents


Specify labor resources

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DEAR MES application allows production actions to be executed by the workers on your shopfloor. In order for DEAR to keep track of who has performed which actions with full transparency, each worker must be specified as a labor resource before production actions can be assigned. 


When logging in, the login email is checked against the list of resources in DEAR. The user will automatically only see operations in which the resource they belong to is listed. A user will not see operations to which they are not added as a resource. If the user is not added as a resource to any operation, no tasks will be displayed.


See Managing Production Resources for detailed instructions on how to add a new resource in DEAR and how to specify its operational hours and capacity. 


Set user permissions

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Users must have the following permissions enabled in order to access DEAR MES:

  • Production List and Tasks (full access) - grants access to the Task List and production tasks. 
  • Production order fulfillment (full access) - grants access to Put Away tasks. 


Users will also need to be granted access to the Shopfloor locations where they will execute tasks. If access is not granted to a location, tasks in that location will not appear on a user's task list. 


See Managing User Roles and Permissions and User permissions explained.


Download MES application

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The MES application is available for download in the Google Play store (for Android). Please download the MES application to the devices where it will be used and install before continuing. MES is not currently available for iOS but this is planned for a future release.


Log in to MES

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Open the DEAR MES application to see the login screen. Account credentials (email and password) are the same as the credentials used to log in to DEAR. 

When logging in, the login email is checked against the list of labor resources in DEAR. The user will automatically only see operations in which the resource they belong to is listed. A user will not see operations to which they are not added as a resource. If the user is not added as a resource to any operation, no tasks will be displayed.


Select Working Area

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Once a user has logged in to the application, they can select their Working Area: Organisation and Shopfloor

  • Organisations contains a dropdown list of all organizations which the user has access to. 
  • Shopfloor contains a dropdown list of all locations defined as shopfloor within that organisation. If access is not granted to a location, tasks in that location will not appear on a user's task list.


Once working area has been selected, pressing Next will take the user to the Main Menu screen. 


Configure MES application settings

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Access Settings from the main application menu. 


Enable camera barcode scanning

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Android devices with minimum version 5.1+ can use the camera of your mobile device can be used to scan barcodes when Scanning via Camera mode is enabled here. You will need to give permission for DEAR to access your device camera.


Enabling this setting will cause a Scan button to be displayed on all screens where items are picked. This will open the camera and allow the user to scan barcodes directly from the device. 


Configure push notifications

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Push notifications are clickable pop-up messages that appear on the user’s device so long as they are online. MES push notifications allow the user to be notified of important events within the application when they are not using it. 


This screen allows you to enable which events you wish to receive notifications for. 



NOTE: If you are having problems receiving push notifications, please use the following steps to troubleshoot:

  • Check your device application settings for DEAR MES application - are notifications disabled? 
  • Logout and log in to DEAR MES again and select the appropriate organisation.
    • You will need to perform this step any time the application is uninstalled and reinstalled. 
  • Inside DEAR MES, open Settings, then check if push notifications are enabled. 
  • If the same device is being used by multiple users, the notification will be sent to the last logged in user. Only one notification will be sent. 
  • The user performing the task (start, complete, suspend, etc) will not receive a notification. 


Configure Work Center Settings

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Access Work Center Settings from the main menu. On this screen, the user can specify which work centers of a shopfloor they belong to. Only tasks assigned to the selected work centers will be shown on the Task List.


All available work centers created in DEAR and connected to the working area Shopfloor are shown. By default, all are checked. Non-operational work centers are not displayed in this list. 


The user must select all work centers they belong to. Users will receive all production tasks assigned to this work center. 


View production Task List

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Users can view tasks assigned to them from the Task List. From here, users can:

  • View production operations which use resources the user belongs to 
  • Start, suspend, and complete production operations
  • Consume components for production
  • View notes for production operations, runs, and orders
  • Add and edit notes for production operations. 
  • View and add attachments.


Actions executed in MES will be communicated to DEAR inventory and vice versa. 


Production order tasks are passed to the MES application when a Production Run is created and saved. If a released production order is Completed, Undone or Voided, it will be removed from the task list. Users can only view the tasks that have been assigned to them at the work centers selected in the Work Center Settings


Access the Task List from the Main Menu. Pull the device screen or switch from one tab to another to refresh the task list. 

  • By default, the user can view All tasks, Overdue tasks, or tasks scheduled Today and Tomorrow. Time is calculated from the user's local time.
    • NOTE: If the following day is a weekend day, the Tomorrow tab will show any tasks scheduled on the weekend but also any tasks scheduled for the next working day. 
  • Search tasks by operation name, product name, Production Order/Run number, product name and work center code.
  • Filter tasks to show In Progress, Scheduled, or Suspended tasks.


Each task view card contains:

  • Work Center code, operation name, and production order #.
  • Priority indicator (Urgent, Medium, Safe) based on the remaining manufacturing buffer remaining for the production run.
  • Final product being produced for this production run/order.


Tapping the task view card opens the operation screen, where further actions can be taken. 


Operations view

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Tapping the task view card opens the operation view. Work center code, operation name, and product name are displayed on the top bar of the screen.  Next, the operation card displays:

  • Quantity to Produce: Quantity of finished product for the current Production Run. 
  • Actual Time: Timer which tracks actual time elapsed from starting the operation.
    • NOTE: Actual time is calculated from the times the operation is started, suspended, resumed, and completed. It is not possible to edit production time from the MES application, however, users with the Edit actual time permission can edit actual production time from within DEAR if required.


Clicking Auto-consume automatically enters the Consumed field with the quantity from the Required field, picking components from the operation work center's connected input bin. If the quantity of required components in the connected bin is not sufficient, the user will have to manually consume components from another location (see below). Tapping Start starts the production operation and the timer. This updates DEAR with inventory movements and accounting transactions for component and resource costs.


Map batch/serial # will only be visible if Product Tracing is enabled for one or more of the finished products - see Product tracing with MES


Save saves changes made to the production operation. Reset returns the operation to its default values. 


Components, resources, notes, and attachments (files) can be managed and viewed from their respective tabs. 



Consume components

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The To Consume tab shows what is consumed and expected to be produced in this operation. This includes components, inputs, outputs, and finished products. See Production BOM entry types for more information on operation entry types. 


Outputs and finished products are listed the expected quantity to be produced from this operation. This quantity cannot be edited.


Components and inputs are listed with the following information:

  • Required: Planned component quantity for this operation. 
  • Consumed: Quantity consumed from inventory for this operation. 
  • Wastage: Optional field to input wastage quantity if application. 


Clicking Auto-consume automatically enters the Consumed field with the quantity from the Required field, picking components from the operation work center's connected input bin. If the quantity of required components in the connected bin is not sufficient, the user will have to manually consume components from another location (see below).


Tapping Consume/Wastage on a component allows the user enter the actual quantity consumed. If the component has a serial/batch #, it can be scanned or entered here. Users can also change the pick bin. Components and quantities can be edited at any time until an operation is completed. 


NOTE: BOM components cannot be deleted from an operation, however the quantity can be set to 0. 


Add a new component by clicking on the Search button and typing in the product name or SKU, then tap on GO or tap the Enter/Arrow key of the keyboard (depending on device). Select the product from the list.


In the new window select the search button again, the product will populate on the screen with the default qty 1. Amend the QTY if needed then press Finish. In the new screen, press save. 


The Left in stock column will show how much of a component will remain after the production operation has consumed  production components. This is for information purposes only, in order to not leave small quantities of a component or batch remaining that could be used in production. 


NOTE: Products with the tag New Components can be deleted. BOM components cannot be deleted, but their quantity can be set to 0. 


Resources

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The resource tab displays all planned resources for the operation. 

  • Click Add resource to add a new production resource.
  • Tap the delete icon to remove a resource.
  • Tap Quantity to edit resource quantity. 


Resources can be edited at any time until the production operation is completed.


Notes and files

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The Notes tab displays production operation notesClick Add note to add a new note to the operation. Clicking an existing note allows the user to edit the note. Tapping the delete icon deletes the note from the operation. Users can edit or delete notes made by other users.


The Files tab displays attachments for the production order, production BOM or for any resources allocated to the operation. Tap a file to view it, tap delete to remove the file. Click Add file to upload a file to the operation. Users can delete files added by other users.


Start and suspend operations

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Tapping Start starts the production operation and the timer. Tapping Suspend pauses the operation and the timer, the user must select from a menu of reasons for suspension (see Add reasons for work center suspension). Tapping Resume restarts the timer. 


NOTE: Actual time is calculated from the times the operation is started, suspended, resumed, and completed. It is not possible to edit production time from the MES application, however, users with the Edit actual time permission can edit actual production time from within DEAR if required.


Complete operation

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Pressing Complete completes the operation and stops the production timer. Components and resources can no longer be edited. If the production operation does not produce output or finished products, this completes the operation and returns the user to the task list. 


Enter Output/Yield

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Products Output will now be displayed if the operation produces an output or finished product. 


If production operation produces an output, the system will place the output in the specified output bin for that work center. User can manually enter the produced and wastage quantity if they differ from expected values. 


Finished products of the operation are displayed on this screen. Pressing Edit output data allows the user to edit the following data:

  • Produced quantity: User can edit this field to reflect actual quantity produced. By default, this field will contain the planned quantity. 
  • Wastage quantity: User can edit this field to edit any wastage quantity. 
  • Location: Output will be stored by the system in this location or bin until put away is executed. By default, contains the output bin location for this work center.
  • Serial/batch (Serial/batch costing methods only): Text or scan input for serial and batch numbers. If no serial/batch # is input by the user, the system will auto-generate numbers. 
  • Expiry date (FEFO costing methods only): Date picker for expiry date input.


Press Complete to finish the operation and return to the task list. If some production components remain unused, you will be given the option to transfer unused components to a storage location.


NOTE: This does not put the finished products away. Output will be stored by the system in the specified output location until transfer to storage location is executed.


Transfer unused components

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If some production components (does not include inputs, outputs, or finished products) remain unused after a production operation is completed, you will be given the option to transfer unused components to a storage location. The quantity of unused components is equal to the required/expected quantity less the quantity consumed during production. 


When selecting no, the components will be left in the consumption bin or the location from which they were taken. Selecting yes will open up the transfer dialog. 


The transfer page will show a list of the unused components. Select the quantity to transfer, select Transfer All to transfer the entire quantity, or scan item barcodes to add them to the transfer quantity. The default transfer location is set to the default location (set up in the Product → General tab) for the component. Select the location and bin where the unused component should be transferred to. 

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When all components are selected and location for them is set, pressing the Finish button returns to the task list view to start the next operation. Transfer orders are created with status Ordered for the unused components, grouped by location.  


The transfer orders will now be available in the Stock Transfer list of the application. 


Product tracing with MES

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Traceability is the ability to track every part and product throughout the manufacturing process, from the moment when raw materials enter the factory to the moment when final products are shipped. Knowing which exact components make up a finished product is essential to quality assurance, inspection and control.


Product tracing can be turned on from the DEAR web portal for finished products with the following costing methods:

  • FIFO - Serial Number
  • FIFO - Batch
  • FEFO - Serial Number
  • FEFO - Batch
  • Special - Batch
  • Special - Serial Number


Please see Production Component Tracking and Traceability for how to turn on product tracing. Turning on product tracing will allow you to map which allocated batches/serial numbers of components go into which finished product. 


Components can be mapped once they have been reserved (only possible through the web portal) or consumed (possible through MES app or web portal). Completing a production operation will consume the components used in that operation automatically.


Finished products can be mapped once they have been entered into the Output tab. Finished products are automatically added to the output tab when the operation producing the finished products is completed. 


Click Map batch/serial # when components have been reserved or consumed or a finished product has been output to begin mapping components. You can also add/define finished products from this page. 


Adding a finished product to the mapping: Select a finished product from the dropdown (what do the other fields do?), scan the batch/serial number, and enter an expiry date to add a finished product to the mapping list. The finished products will be displayed below these fields. 


Select Map batch/serial # for an added product to start mapping components. This will show which components batch/serial numbers map into which finished products batch/serial numbers. 


From here, you can edit the pre-defined values and select another batch/serial number for the component.


NOTE: Mapping does NOT mean selecting the batch/serial number itself (this is done via costing method), but defining which component batches are used in which finished product batch. FIFO products without a batch or serial number cannot be mapped. 


In the case of several batches being used for one finished product batch/serial number, the Add line or Scan function allows adding an additional component batch. This tab can be edited and updated until the order is completed. Save to go back to the production operation. 


Stock transfer of finished products or components

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Transfer orders can be created in three ways:

  • Manually by creating a stock transfer via DEAR web portal or DEAR WMS
  • Automatically in DEAR MES by transferring unused components 
  • Automatically in DEAR MES to deliver finished products to storage location

The Stock Transfer list shows all created transfer orders and products that can be moved to another location or bin These products are available for picking in DEAR MES for the further transfer.


NOTE: DEAR can generate transfer orders to deliver finished products to storage location on production run completion, production order completion, or not at all. This is controlled via the Production process customization settings (Settings → General Settings → Production Process Customization). 


NOTE: Deliver To location is set from the production order view in DEAR web portal. It cannot be edited after a production operation has started and cannot be edited through the MES app. See Managing Production Orders - Set deliver to locations for finished products


Opening the Stock Transfer list gives you three options:

  • From location: Products for picking are grouped by transfer order From field
  • To location: Products for picking are grouped by transfer order To field
  • By Order: List of all transfer orders


Transfer from location

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When picking From Location, products for picking are grouped by transfer order From field. Use the checkboxes to select the bins and work centers (of the active shopfloor) to pick from for the transfer, then click Next.


The Picking list will show all the products to be picked from the selected location. Clicking a product opens the item detail view where the quantity can be picked.


Next, pick the required quantity.  Scan the bin to confirm the picking bin or select No Bin to pick directly from the shopfloor. Click the Item # or Batch/SN field and scan the SKU or Batch/SN number or enter it manually. You will then need to press Enter on your device keypad if entering the number manually. Enter the picked quantity or scan all instances to add them to the picked list. It is possible to partially pick an order.


When all products are picked, click Finish to generate an updated transfer order. This takes you to the put away screen. 


The Put Away screen shows all the products available to place at the destination location. If put away cannot be executed, for example if the put away location is far from the current location, you can close the put away view and return to the stock transfer menu. When Close is pressed, a dialog to print Stock Transfer is displayed.


Check the final destination location to execute put away directly and press Next


NOTE: See Two-step transfers using a staging bin if you use staging bins in your stock transfers. 


The Put Away list will show all the products to be put away to the selected location. Clicking a product opens the item detail view where the quantity can be placed.


Next, place the required quantity. Click the Item # or Batch/SN field and scan the SKU or Batch/SN number or enter it manually. You will then need to press Enter on your device keypad if entering the number manually. Enter the placed quantity or scan all instances to add them to the placed list. It is not possible to partially place an order.


When all products are placed, click Finish to complete the transfer order. You will given the option to print the stock transfer list before returning the menu. 


Transfer to location

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When picking To Location, products for picking are grouped by transfer order To field. This means the picker will pick all products from several locations (bins, work centers) to transfer them to selected locations according to the created Transfer Orders. Use the checkboxes to select the destination location for the transfer, then click Next


The Picking list will show all the products to be picked from all bins to send to the selected location. Clicking a product opens the item detail view where the quantity can be picked.


Next, pick the required quantity. Scan the bin to confirm the picking bin, or pick from another bin, or select No Bin to pick directly from the shopfloor. Click the Item # or Batch/SN field and scan the SKU or Batch/SN number or enter it manually. You will then need to press Enter on your device keypad if entering the number manually. Enter the picked quantity or scan all instances to add them to the picked list. It is possible to partially pick an order.



When all products are picked, click Finish to generate an updated transfer order. This takes you to the put away screen.



The Put Away screen shows all the available products to put away to the destination location.  If put away cannot be executed, for example if the put away location is far from the current location, you can close the put away view and return to the stock transfer menu. When Close is pressed, a dialog to print Stock Transfer is displayed.


Clicking a product opens the item detail view where the quantity can be placed.


NOTE: See Two-step transfers using a staging bin if you use staging bins in your stock transfers.


Next, place the required quantity. Scan the bin to confirm the placing bin, or place in another bin, or select No Bin to place directly in the location. Click the Item # or Batch/SN field and scan the SKU or Batch/SN number or enter it manually. You will then need to press Enter on your device keypad if entering the number manually. Enter the placed quantity or scan all instances to add them to the placed list. It is not possible to partially place an order.



When all products are placed, click Finish to complete the transfer order. You will given the option to print the stock transfer list before returning the menu.


Transfer by order

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Transfer by order allows you to move stock between locations in your organisation or between bins in a location. You can also view previous stock transfers on this screen, including stock transfers that were not performed via the MES app and stock transfers between other locations. Stock transfers can be filtered by status or searched by transfer order number.


Transfer by order can be used to complete existing transfers or create a new stock transfer. 


New stock transfer

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Select Add Transfer to begin a new stock transfer.


Select a From location, To location, and Required by date. Save to save the transfer order in draft status and move on the next step.


Enter or scan a product name/sku to search for a product or press the search icon to display all product inventory at that location. Note that this will also show products not in stock.


Select products to add them to the transfer list.


Once all of the items have been added to the transfer order, check that the quantity to transfer is correct and edit if necessary. Save to come back to the draft transfer order later, or Authorise the transfer order to continue to the next step. This will take you back to the transfer order screen, when you can see the order with Ordered status.


Open the transfer order to see the Transfer Picking Screen. Check the Ordered Quantity, and click the search icon or quantity field to open the picking details window. This will show the bins where the stock is located at that location so you can choose how many items to pick from each possible location. You can also scan items or manually enter SKU to search. Click Finish to return to the transfer picking screen.


When all or part of the stock has been picked, click Send to send the stock to the new location. This will take you back to the transfer order screen, when you can see the order with In Transit status.


When the items arrive at their destination, open the transfer order to see the Transfer Put Away screen. Click an item to choose a location or bin to put the item away and enter the quantity put away. Click the search icon to view all locations/bins where the item can be put away. Click Finish to receive the stock and go back to the transfer put away screen.


When all stock has been received, click Complete to finish the transfer order and return to the stock transfers list, where the transfer order will now have the status Completed.


Complete existing stock transfer

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Select a draft stock transfer from the list or search a transfer order number to view details of an existing stock transfer. This will show you the transfer order list - press Authorize to continue. This will change the transfer order status to Ordered


Select a stock transfer with Ordered status to open the pick list. Click a product to enter the picking item details screen. Scan the product, or manually enter the product name, SKU, batch # or serial # (you will need to press enter on your device keypad). This will search the pick location for the SKU. Select the bin to pick from. If the transfer order is picking directly from the bin, go straight to the next step. 

Enter the quantity picked or keep scanning the product to update the scanned quantity. When all instances of the item have been picked, press Finish. to return to the pick list. Repeat for all items. If there is not enough stock available to finish the transfer order, you can Save to return to the menu. 


When all of the ordered quantity has been picked, click Send to send the stock to the new location. If you are not yet ready to send you can Save the order and return to it later. This will take you back to the transfer order screen, when you can see the order with In Transit status.


When the items arrive at their destination, open the transfer order with In Transit status to see the Transfer Put Away screen. Click a product to enter the put away item details screen. This will also show available bins to put away, if applicable.


Scan the product, or manually enter the product name, SKU, batch # or serial # (you will need to press enter on your device keypad). Enter the quantity put away. Click Finish to receive the stock and go back to the transfer put away screen.


When all stock has been received, click Complete to finish the transfer order and return to the stock transfers list, where the transfer order will now have the status Completed.


Two-step transfers using a staging bin

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Staging bins are defined from the Locations screen. Go to Settings → Reference Books → Stock → Locations and Bins and select a location to add a staging bin. 


On the Bins tab, check the Staging box to mark a new or existing bin as a staging bin. 


In DEAR MES or in DEAR WMS, select Stock Transfer from the menu. Pick either From Location, To Location, or By Order to continue. 


Next, pick the required quantity. Scan the bin to confirm the picking bin, or pick from another bin, or select No Bin to pick directly from the shopfloor. Click the Item # or Batch/SN field and scan the SKU or Batch/SN number or enter it manually. You will then need to press Enter on your device keypad if entering the number manually. Enter the picked quantity or scan all instances to add them to the picked list. It is possible to partially pick an order.


When all products are picked, click Finish to generate an updated transfer order. This takes you to the put away screen.


Next, place the required quantity in the staging bin. Scan the staging bin name or manually enter the bin name and press Enter on your device keypad. Click the Item # or Batch/SN field and scan the SKU or Batch/SN number or enter it manually. You will then need to press Enter on your device keypad if entering the number manually. Enter the placed quantity or scan all instances to add them to the placed list. It is not possible to partially place an order. This completes the transfer order to staging area. 


To complete the transfer from staging bin to final destination/s, return to the Stock Transfer list and pick From Location. Select the staging bin and pick the items. When all products are picked, click Finish to generate an updated transfer order. This takes you to the put away screen.


Next, place the products in their destination locations and finish the transfer order. 


Stock lookup

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The stock lookup features allows users to see availability (SOH, available, allocated and on order quantities) of items in stock and see which items are stocked in a specific location/bin. This feature will not work when MES is in offline mode. 


Selecting stock lookup from the main menu allows you multiple search options. Select a location or bin from the dropdown menu, enter a product SKU or name (exact match only), scan bin code, or scan item code to search. 

  • Display all items in all locations.
  • Display all items in one location (Showing bins and quantities per bin)
  • Display all items in one bin (Bin data will also be shown if this has been configured with Directed Put Away)
  • Display all units of one item across bins and locations.


Multiple filters can be applied. 


Capacity lookup

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The Capacity Planner shows the capacity for a selected planning period and which resources are overallocated. A read-only version of this, Capacity lookup, can be accessed from the MES main menu, letting users look up capacity information on handheld devices without having to go through the Cin7 Core web version. Re-planning of capacity is not supported in the read-only version. 


Scheduler

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The Scheduler provides transparency for the production process, assessing how long an order should take, determining required resources, and viewing and managing dependencies between operations. A read-only version of the Scheduler, showing production Gantt view only, can be accessed from the MES main menu. It is not possible to reschedule orders from the application version. 


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