Manufacturing process control methods and systems

A manufacturing process control method, implemented in a manufacture process control system comprising an order manager coupled to a network and a process controller coupled to the order manager, comprising:

• when receiving an order for a batch of lots requiring a manufacturing process by at least one manufacturing entity, automatic provision by the order manager of an electronic list through the network, comprising entries corresponding to stages of the manufacturing process, at which processing of at least one of the lots can be held;
• receipt by the order manager of designation of a first entry through the network;
• and
• monitoring by the process controller of the lots while the lots are being processed in the manufacturing entity;
• and
• automatic directing by the process controller of at least one lot to be held before processing thereof at a stage to which the first entry corresponds according to the designation.

A manufacturing process control system, comprising:

• a database storing manufacturing stages of at least one pilot yield run;
• an order manager coupled to the database and a network, when receiving, from a computer coupled to the network, an order for a batch of lots requiring a manufacturing process by at least one manufacturing entity, automatically locating the manufacturing stages of a pilot yield run corresponding to the batch from the database, determining which stage therein is capable of holding lot processing, and providing an electronic list comprising entries corresponding to determined stages capable of holding lot processing to the computer through the network;
• and
• a process controller coupled to the order manager, automatically directing the lots in the manufacturing process according to settings on the list.