WIP（Work in Process）

WIP (Work-in-Process) refers to semi-finished goods currently being processed or awaiting further processing. WIP management is the key lever for planning, coordinating, and controlling in-process inventory across workstations and production stages to keep the entire production flow balanced.

The WIP module is the core of ciMES. With factory resources configured, simply launch a production lot and the system manages lot transactions or batch production accordingly — recording detailed production logs for downstream use in analytics, SPC, and order tracking.

Real-Time WIP Lot Tracking
A core ciMES function — query the status, location, and quantity of all active production lots in real time, filtered by lot status (Wait, Run, Hold, etc.) or production area.
Production Query
A powerful cross-query tool for current WIP information — searchable by customer name, customer lot number, work order number, product name, product model, upstream factory ID, workstation, and more.
Component Management
Track and collect production data at the sub-unit level within each production lot.
Work Instructions
Configure work instructions by product, process, or workstation to alert operators to key requirements at each step.
Standard Production Commands
Hundreds of standard WIP transaction functions — including Check In, 　Check Out, Scrap, Split, Batch Check In, and Batch Check Out — for clients to build their own custom production logic.

Full visibility into all production lot data with dynamically configurable display columns

Work instructions configurable by product, process, or workstation

Detailed logging of every action taken across all production lots

Information Planning Center

The WIP module also serves as the system's central planning hub — covering factory area setup, machine management, lot attribute configuration, product and process control, and user access management. Maximum flexibility to build an MES that fits your factory.

Machine Management Configuration
Configure machine types, groups, statuses (IDLE, WAIT, etc.), status colors, and detailed machine data. Define state transition rules for machine monitoring and utilization calculation.
Workstation Setup
Configure resources by machine status, group, or individual unit. Pre-define production rules and attributes for each workstation, automatically applied during process execution.
Process Configuration
Design workflows via intuitive drag-and-drop with zoom and sub-process expansion. Any process can be reused as a sub-process, and conditional branching enables automatic routing based on pre-set rules.
Product Setup
Define product names, attributes, and permitted production flows. Version management allows multiple flows per version, with multiple product versions running concurrently on the production line.
Lot Configuration
Each production lot can carry multiple attributes. Group attributes into templates for quick assignment when launching new lots.
Access Control
Three-tier permission management (Individual → Group → Function), with customizable system labels and categories to match your company's culture and terminology.

Workstation Maintenance

Process Data Maintenance

Machine monitoring display configurable to match actual factory floor layout

Production resources displayed according to actual factory layout

Graphical process configuration for complete workflow control

Work Order Management

Work orders can be created directly in ciMES or imported from an existing ERP system. The work order module acts as the interface between ERP and MES, passing order information to initiate production. For companies without ERP, it serves as the primary production entry point.

Work Order Maintenance
Full Lot Release
Partial Lot Launch
Work Order Hold
Work Order Detail Query

Engineering Data Collection (EDC)

EDC allows clients to configure parameters and groups for data collection. During production, the system captures the defined parameter values through the production logic workflow.

There are three common data collection methods, each handled by the EDC module as follows:

Machine Automation
Data is transmitted automatically via interfaces such as SESC and PLC directly into the database through ciMES EDC transactions — no manual input required.
Manual Data Entry
Parameters and groups are pre-configured and assigned to machines or production lots. During production, operators are prompted to enter data manually, stored via EDC transactions.
File Import Mode
For machines without automated connectivity but with network and file output, a data loader writes machine-generated files directly into the database via EDC transactions.