Integration is the key work to describe a general difference between a MES solution and a set of partial solutions using independent program packages. Every manufacturing unit contains an ample set of various management systems, SCADA solutions with their own databases (or none) that do very well to accomplish their tasks. Although they might cover the areas that are dealt also in MES, there is one significant difference. MES works with complexities, making it possible to create, store, modify of display them. Individual isolated systems are able to work only with their own data. The benefits acquired by a MES solution cannot be achieved, unless these individual solutions are integrated into an consistent environment with a single data base. Only integration of data coming from various sources gives a possibility to create and evaluate complex structures (complexities) and relationships and interactions between them, disclosing properties and features which remain invisible if you look at separate data. This unique feature of a MES solution is very significant on the way from data to information to knowledge. It is the only way that allows a free movement of information between otherwise isolated systems and people, who can think about them and take qualified decisions based on this information. In other words, MES solutions allow managers to concentrate on problem-solving instead of loosing time trying to identify what the problem is. MES ensures all of these in real time, online and in the course of a work shift, not tomorrow. Managers are given verified quality information in time to support their operative planning. Quality and comprehensiveness of information in support of decision-making processes is the basis of a really efficient manufacturing control.

In technical terms, information integration is possible thanks to numerous communication protocols (more than 100 with new ones still emerging) that are implemented in the D2000® environment. They are used in communication directed to the technology when operation data are collected (level 0, 1, 2 according to ANSI/ISA-95). In communication directed to enterprise systems (ERP, SCM, APS, MS OFFICE,...), all the commonly used data exchange formats (xml, xls, csv,...) are supported and there are modules implemented for communicating for example with SAP, MARK4.

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