Editor's Choice


What is MESA and why should you care?

September 2015 Editor's Choice News

MESA (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association) International is a global community of manufacturers, producers, industry leaders, and solution providers who are focused on driving business results from manufacturing information.

Gerhard Greef
Gerhard Greef

One of the ways that MESA contributes to improving both business results and production operations is by creating guidebooks, white papers and other original research. Most of these materials focus on business strategies, best practice processes to achieve strategic objectives and the use of enterprise solutions to support processes and metrics in order to accelerate business success. MESA’s research differs in that it reaches from enterprise concepts down to the real-time production process. The research is done by consultants, software vendors, systems integrators and manufacturers/producers and reviewed and ratified by industry peers globally before publishing.

MESA has also developed a Global Education Program that teaches standards, concepts, models and best practices used throughout the full life-cycle of a manufacturing improvement initiative. Being certified as being competent in Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) is one of the pre-requisites of being classified as a MESA-Recognised Practitioner. MESA-Recognised Businesses need to have a number of Recognised Practitioners to be classified as such. The MESA recognition programme was established by MESA to ensure that educated buyers and sellers can recognise each other, define and deliver solutions faster and reduce risk, costs and time-to-value.

This year is the seventh year of the local MESA Southern Africa conference. Over the past seven years delegates were exposed to a number of MES/MOM case-studies, thought-leadership presentations, motivational talks and panel-discussions. There have also been a number of Special Interest Group events over the years in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and North-West Province.

MESA Southern Africa events are where manufacturers and producers are exposed to different technologies, implementation companies, solution providers and peers in a technology agnostic environment. The events showcase how companies approached their improvement initiatives, what results they achieved and how they would do it differently if they could start over.

To be an official MESA International member carries a cost, but the local MESA Southern Africa membership is free. To be added to the MESA Southern Africa membership list, please send a mail with your name and contact details to conference@mesa.co.za.

The conference theme for MESA Southern Africa this year is '50 Shades of MOM' This theme emphasises:

• The various ways in which Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) can be implemented.

• The various functions/components that form part of the MOM scope of supply (that change from industry to industry depending on legal, environmental, market, process, regulation, customer and business requirements).

• The various ways in which the concept of MOM is being interpreted and defined by users and vendors.

• The either beautiful or ugly results of a MOM implementation.

• The human acceptance or rejection of the MOM initiative.

It also opens the discussion regarding different or 'new' perspectives to information systems that include the use of 'Big Data', 'Machine to Machine communications', 'Machine Learning', 'Data Analytics', 'Predictive Analytics', 'Pattern Recognition', 'Model-based Monitoring and Simulation' and the 'Internet of Things'.

The 2015 Conference call for papers is currently open and as is custom with the annual MESA SA conference, all presentations will be rated by the delegates attending. This year, the presenter of the best technical presentation/case study will be given the option of either:

• Attending and/or presenting at the MESA America or MESA EMEA conference in USA or Europe (flights and accommodation provided by MESA SA), or

• Registration to a MESA Certificate of Competence course in South Africa (Attendance, flight and accommodation provided by MESA SA).

Response to the call for papers can be sent to conference@mesa.co.za.

For more information on MESA International, MESA Southern Africa, MESA Global Education Program, the 2015 MESA SA Conference or the MESA SA call for papers please send a mail to chairman@mesa.co.za





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

South Africa’s space balls
Editor's Choice News
South African engineers are preparing to take low-frequency radio astronomy to the Moon with three locally developed B.A.L.L.S. spheres aboard China’s Chang’e-8 mission. This could pave the way for a 55-antenna lunar array and marks another step in the country’s growing space engineering capability.

Read more...
Practical tips to build a successful engineering career
Editor's Choice
Award-winning civil engineer, Tinashe Mukalela of AvenirHoldings shares ten practical tips for young engineers navigating a competitive job market, from professional registration and mentorship to emotional intelligence and leadership development.

Read more...
Why mining operations need local lightning early warning
Senseca Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection
Lightning can develop into a serious mining hazard before the first local strike, leaving crews little time to stop work and reach safety. Local early-warning technology can provide valuable lead time, allowing mines to connect developing storm conditions to defined trigger actions that protect people, explosives and equipment.

Read more...
XPlanar aids innovation in laser processing
Beckhoff Automation Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
Aalborg University is among the first in the world to test Beckhoff’s XPlanar intelligent transport system in advanced laser processes, achieving micrometer-precise workpiece positioning and dramatically shorter lead times compared with traditional tool-based manufacturing.

Read more...
The wireless route to safer, more efficient mining operations
Emerson Automation Solutions Editor's Choice Sensors & Transducers
Modern wireless level measurement technologies are helping mining operations improve process control, increase safety and reduce installation costs. Emerson’s Rosemount 3408 wireless non-contacting radar level transmitter uses 80 GHz frequency-modulated continuous wave radar with HART communication to reach remote assets where cabling is impractical.

Read more...
Nine things your emergency control room must now have
Oculus Operational Innovations Editor's Choice IS & Ex
A new South African regulation, effective since March 2025 with no transition period, sets out nine mandatory requirements for underground mine emergency control rooms, and specifies who must be in charge at all times.

Read more...
AES maintains a strong value and safety stance on boiler retrofits
Editor's Choice
When retrofitting and upgrading boilers, operational experience, technical knowledge of different boiler types, operating conditions and water treatment count. Through operating 79 boilers, AES knows what works and what does not.

Read more...
SAIMC INSPIRE conference extends abstract submission deadline
SAIMC SAIMC News
Following requests from our sponsors, the SAIMC INSPIRE conference has officially extended the abstract submission deadline to 28 August 2026.

Read more...
The data-driven path to sustainable manufacturing
ifm - South Africa Editor's Choice Sensors & Transducers
Smart automation is closing the gap between operational efficiency and environmental responsibility, and the data to do it is already inside the plant. With ifm’s sensing and digitalisation technologies, manufacturers can turn machine intelligence into measurable sustainability gains.

Read more...
The hydrogen economy is moving from concept to industrial reality
VEGA Controls SA Editor's Choice Pressure Measurement & Control
Scaling the hydrogen economy requires safe, efficient and tightly controlled processes across generation, storage, distribution and end use, underpinned by accurate instrumentation for pressure, temperature, level and flow measurement.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved