ISA-95 is a Nice Start - Apriso

The ISA-95 standard includes five parts, each of which covers particular aspects of the
framework. These are: models and terminology (part 1); object model attributes (part 2); MOM
activity models (part 3); object models and attributes for MOM (draft part 4); and business to
manufacturing transactions (part 5).
What ISA-95 Got Right
Identifies a Need for Data Flow
The ultimate goal of most manufacturing CIOs and CEOs is to have a smooth, accessible
information flow throughout their enterprise. The ISA-95 model clearly shows integration
between ERP to MOM and the shop floor as a critical element in achieving that objective.
Figure 3 shows some of this flow from the MOM into other areas of the enterprise.
Multi-Department Communication
Having an industry standard for information flows between various functions, departments and
systems greatly facilitates enterprise-wide communication and mutual understanding among all
of the constituents involved. ISA-95 provides both information flow models and a lexicon that
everyone can use – from IT to engineering, quality, operations and finance.
Implementation Project Guidance
The standard provides a framework for developing requirements for information system
functionality and data flow. It pre-defines basic activities, object models and transactions
between enterprise and plant systems.
Where ISA-95 Could be Better
Simply leveraging the ISA-95 standard is not an “end all, be all” strategy to integrate
manufacturing operations. Manufacturers require not only information flow, but a data model
standard, as well as global visibility and the necessary control to manage and execute
operations across their distributed enterprise and supply chain. There are still challenges with
the ISA-95 standard, particularly for discrete manufacturers, as well as other issues no other
standard has yet to address.
Some of these challenges can be addressed by software – which then becomes a key
differentiator in making your final MOM architecture selection – and ultimately, how effective
and responsive your operations infrastructure will perform. Achieving “compliance” to the ISA-
95 standard is simply not enough.
Process Manufacturing Bias
Originally, the ISA-95 standards were designed for Batch or Process Manufacturing, typically
associated with the use of formulas or manufacturing recipes. It was only recently that the
standards are now being applied to Discrete Manufacturing environments, typically associated
8 Plant to Enterprise Integration: ISA-95 is a Nice Start
ISA is a Standard for
Integration, not
Data Modeling
The ISA-95 was
established as a standard
for integration information
flows between the shop
floor and enterprise
applications. However, as
part of that integration, it is
necessary to have
consistency within your
data model, such as where
and how it is stored, as
well as where the “master”
data resides. Each of
these data modeling
components must be
addressed as part of
establishing an integrated
manufacturing enterprise.
The ISA-95 standard
neglects to provide any
guidance on what
approach to take on this
topic.