Asset types

Asset types define the structural and functional roles of equipment within the factory. They help categorize assets by scale, function, and integration level in the production environment..

This classification enables effective organization, monitoring, and maintenance of assets across the facility.

Here are some common examples of asset types that exist in a factory:

Facility
The manufacturing facility
Area
A manufacturing hall within the facility
Line
A production line located in an area
Machine
A machine in the factory
Location
A location in the factory used to store inventory or assets
Component
A component of a line, machine, tool, or ancillary equipment, such as a compressor. Components can contain other components
Ancillary
Ancillary assets in the facility, such as air conditioning units. They may relate directly to a line
Tool
A tool in the factory used on a machine to make material
Gauge
A quality measurement gauge in the factory
Container
A container in the factory used to move material or equipment

MES recognizes some asset types in more detail:

  • Line
  • Machine
  • Location
  • Tool
  • Container
  • Gauge

Each asset defined above is created as independent master data. When configured as master data, the asset is automatically created in MES.

Asset names are unique within each asset type. This means multiple assets with the same name can be added, provided they are not of the same asset type. This is important because stand-alone machines in MES always have a matching line with the same name, and both are created as assets.