SAP S/4HANA is a powerful, comprehensive business backbone that requires significant investment. It is therefore a fair question to ask whether this platform can also host manufacturing processes and be connected to machine equipment. This would eliminate the need for a separate MES layer. The answer is yes.

Especially in lean MES scenarios, where level 2 automation and SCADA systems already provide many production control functions, including order processing, it may make sense to extend SAP S/4HANA with some core functions for connectivity and advanced production order management. Or in cases where your MES requirements are limited to a modern, user-friendly dashboard for confirming production orders and goods movements.

This applies to S/4HANA scenarios in front of on-premise, private cloud or public cloud. Concircle offers a wide range of services and products to help you implement this efficient digital factory strategy.