Financial and Operational outcomes of a No-Code Manufacturing Execution System (MES)

Abstract: Purpose: This study aims to identify the operational and financial outcomes of companies implementing the no-code manufacturing execution system (MES). Methods: This study has been conducted using inductive reasoning to develop new theories in this unexplored subject. The thesis has conducted a multiple case study to collect qualitative, empirical data. Qualitative data has been collected through conducting three interviews from two separate companies. The Research Background and Findings section was then cross analyzed to find commonalities to form conclusions.  Conclusion: Implementing a no-code MES offers operational and financial benefits for manufacturing companies. It improves productivity, reduces lead times, increases flexibility, and enhances quality efforts. Cost savings are achieved through paper reduction and lower implementation costs compared to traditional MES solutions, which do not have no-code features. Overall, a no-code MES delivers advantageous outcomes efficiently and eliminates the need for significant capital investments and technical skills. Theoretical Contribution: This thesis contributes to the field of science by unifying Manufacturing Execution System (MES) with the existent subject of low-code/no-code. This study creates a deeper knowledge by merging science with empirics.  Practical Contribution: The thesis contributes to practitioners in the manufacturing industry by indicating the relevance and importance of the beneficial operational and financial outcomes of adopting a no-code MES. Firstly, there are strong indications that a no-code MES could be a possible solution for companies that could be impacted by the labor shortage in software developer jobs. Secondly, as the no-code MES mitigates the barriers with traditional MES solutions, having the MES built on no-code makes the solution more cost-effective and easy-to-maintain. Limitations & Future Research: This study is limited to two case companies and three interviews. The study’s findings are limited by the short duration of a no-code MES implementation in the case companies, preventing a full investigation of financial outcomes. Further research is necessary to fully examine the financial outcomes of implementing a no-code MES.