LONDON-Based on its recent study of the European and discrete manufacturing execution system (MES) markets, Frost & Sullivan has presented MPDV with the "2010 European Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Excellence" in recognition of MPDV's core product HYDRA MES. With its modular design and open framework, HYDRA MES stores all data originating from production, human resources management and quality control in a single database, providing an ideal connection between management and production levels. The introduction of HYDRA MES has removed many of the shortcomings in existing MES systems -- their large size, insufficient configurability and inability to be modified. Moreover, it has unravelled the difficulties in system integration caused by the absence of standardisation within the MES market.

"HYDRA's modular structure enables MPDV's customers to start with one desired MES-function, and then extend it to access other functions or modules," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Katarzyna Owczarczyk. "Because HYDRA is an open system independent of any specific production process, it can be integrated without causing problems to an existing company environment."

The HYDRA system is not only 100% compliant with MESA-11 functions, but also provides functions such as Quality Assurance or Computer Aided Quality (CAQ), as well as Time, Attendance and Personnel Scheduling. These features are particularly important in discrete industry and add to HYDRA's competitive nature, as they are not offered by other MES products.

Through its ergonomic functions in data capture, planning and information handling, HYDRA makes resources and capacity planning, as well as time schedules, apparent, even for complex multi-stage production processes. Hydra's adaptive product quality becomes particularly obvious in the scheduling module, allowing finite capacity scheduling, simulation and complex, dynamic set-up sequencing. The system is not bound to a "push planning" philosophy, but can be reconfigured for decentralised planning, according to a Pull-type of production philosophy also allowing KANBAN. Likewise, the role of performance analysis is efficiently covered by the Manufacturing Scorecard.

"HYDRA enables complexity in an adaptive manner," says Owczarczyk. "Many HYDRA users actually gain profit from the benefits identified in the Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI) guideline."

HYDRA also allows for customer-specific extensions, by which operational requirements may be dealt with via customisation. Unlike many competitors that focus exclusively on browser front-ends for the ShopFloor, MPDV offers its customers both a browser front-end as well as a windows-based fat-client. The latter allows decentralised data aggregation directly from production resources and is much faster and reliable. Further, the architectural flexibility enables MES-typical system-integration tasks such as label printing, device-integrated SPC, barcode reading and RFID integration, as a "configurable-only" standard functionality of a MES.

MPDV also supports its customers by the creation of a risk analysis designed to secure overall system conformity from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In order to sell products in the food and drug sector in the United States of America, manufacturing plants have to meet the requirements of FDA authority. Not only does HYDRA meet technical requirements, such as electronic records and electronic signatures, laid down in CFR 21 Part 11, but also the lifecycle of HYDRA software is subject to the V-model of GAMP 4 at MPDV, thereby fulfilling the basis for validation, when used within a customer system. The evidence that the MPDV quality assurance system works efficiently has already been successfully proven by passing customer audits.

The introduction of the Euro in Eastern Europe opened strong growth markets for MPDV, whose significant expansion is expected to increase in the coming years. Many MPDV clients have established new plants in Eastern Europe, a movement promoting MPDV's international growth. With more than 25 successful implementations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia, Romania, Hungary and Russia, the foundation has been laid for the company to become an international MES provider.

MPDV is also strongly engaged in trend-setting activities of industry organizations, institutions and associations, such as MESA International, MESA Europe, VDI, VDMA and ZVEI. The main objective of MESA group is the exchange of knowledge and experience in applying MES. MPDV substantially contributed to the formation of MESA Europe, providing rich MES implementation and project expertise to international resellers of MPDV's MES HYDRA. MPDV has intensive connections to system integrators, and is well-established in the industry and media.

Overall, MPDV has developed a unique product offering high value for clients and promising to garner a robust share in the global MES market. In recognition, Frost & Sullivan is proud to present MPDV with the 2010 European Award for Product Excellence in the MES market. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with unique features/functionality to provide high quality service to customers with complex needs. The award applauds product customization and the fit for evolving market trends, ultimately resulting in a strong brand perception of the product as being unique.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.