The global manufacturing sector is undergoing a profound transformation. The convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) has ushered in an era of intelligent, data-driven production. Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) systems are at the epicenter of this transformation, delivering real-time visibility, data-driven insights, and optimized processes.

The data supports this trend: the global MES/MOM systems market is rapidly expanding at a whopping 9.2% CAGR and is projected to value $23 billion by 2029. As Industry 4.0 accelerates, the demand for robust, adaptable MES/MOM systems has never been greater. However, the demands of the contemporary manufacturing environment are posing a challenge to conventional MES/MOM systems. 

Traditional MES/MOM systems are often hamstrung when it comes to operational agility and innovation: limited scalability, integration issues, high costs, and an inability to adapt to rapid market changes. A strategic shift is imperative to fully realise the potential of these systems and overcome the limitations of legacy infrastructure. Software containerization offers a transformative approach, providing the flexibility and scalability required for agile manufacturing operations.

Why containerization?

Software containers encapsulate applications and their dependencies within isolated environments and make them more flexible and scalable. This transformative technology and approach have been effectively implemented in various industries, including IT and cloud computing. Manufacturers who adopt a containerized software architecture can realize tremendous operational efficiencies in the following ways: 

• Improved agility: Accelerated deployment enables quicker time-to-market for new applications. Containerized applications enable independent updates that minimize downtime, reduce the risk of errors, and offer superior scalability to accommodate changing demands, ensuring optimal resource utilization.
• Streamlined IT management: Containers provide a standardized environment, reducing configuration complexities and improving reliability. By isolating applications, containers simplify IT management and troubleshooting.
• Better visibility: Seamless integration with data analytics tools provides real-time insights into production processes.
• Reduced hardware and software investments: Containers can run on shared hardware, reducing infrastructure costs.

Real-world use cases of MES/MOM containerization

Containerization of MES and MOM systems offers significant value for manufacturers.

Streamlined production line management

• Faster deployment and scalability: Containers allow manufacturers to quickly deploy and adjust production lines to meet fluctuating demands, thereby accelerating time-to-market.
• Efficient resource allocation: Isolating applications in containers enables manufacturers to optimize resource utilization and improve overall production efficiency.

Enhanced system agility and integration

• Independent updates: Containerization breaks down monolithic systems into smaller, independent microservices, resulting in faster updates and reduced downtime.
• Seamless Internet of Things (IoT) integration: Containerization is an efficient delivery method for integrating IoT devices, enabling seamless deployment and management. This approach supports real-time data collection and analysis, ultimately enhancing decision-making. 

Accelerated development and delivery

• Faster time-to-market: DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines within a containerized environment simplify development and deployment processes, improving software quality, increasing reliability, and enabling quicker product releases.

Advanced digitalization capabilities

• Digital twin creation: The development, deployment and operations of digital twins are made easier with containerised software architectures. These are particularly powerful to set up simulation environments. Digital twins prove valuable in areas such as predictive maintenance, process optimization, and business planning.

Modernization with Red Hat OpenShift container platform

While containerization offers a roadmap to agile manufacturing, modifying MES/MOM systems to meet Industry 4.0 standards must be done carefully. Legacy systems, security concerns, and the skills gap are common hurdles that impede progress, and organizations must plan and prepare for the long run.

Red Hat Openshift stands out as a leader in container management, offering a robust platform designed to simplify complex container environments. It automates the deployment of applications within these container clusters (Kubernetes) and incorporates strong security measures. This simplifies the  containerization process , accelerates deployments, and mitigates risks. Through extensive training resources, Red Hat helps organizations build a skilled workforce to run and maintain the container infrastructure. 

Furthermore, Red Hat’s collaboration with solution providers like Critical Manufacturing empowers manufacturers to modernize their operations by integrating Red Hat technologies into the core infrastructure of  these solution providers offerings. This expanded collaboration helps further integrate open-source solutions with greater automation to deliver streamlined software updates for faster innovation and adoption of smart manufacturing processes. 

By leveraging OpenShift, manufacturers will unlock the full potential of containerization, achieving greater agility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. OpenShift provides a stable foundation for containerized MES/MOM solutions and helps manufacturers drive business growth and become competitive.

Navigating the road ahead for MES/MOM systems

The future of MES/MOM lies in a hybrid, cloud-native architecture. Containerization will enable seamless integration of on-premise and cloud-based systems, allowing for scalable and flexible operations. As AI and machine learning technologies mature, containerized MES/MOM systems will enable predictive maintenance, quality control, and supply chain optimization. The convergence of IT and OT, enabled by containerization, will foster real-time data analytics and decision-making, transforming manufacturing into the realm of intelligent, self-optimizing systems. 

To explore how Red Hat can support you in your digital transformation journey through OpenShift-based containerization, contact us today.