MES introduction: the 5 most important success factors summarised in a compact way

The first step towards data-driven production in many companies is the implementation of an MES (Manufacturing Execution System). This requires time, resources and costs. But with the right approach, success is guaranteed.

MES is also known as a bridge technology on the way to a “smart factory.” It is therefore the basis for further digitization and networking throughout the company and should therefore be selected with care and a sense of proportion. At first glance, the complex challenges may be daunting, but investing in data-driven production is not only worthwhile, but also economically necessary, because increasing competitive pressure in increasingly global competition paired with the increasing individualization of customer requirements forces manufacturing companies to become faster, more flexible, simply more dynamic.

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Success factor 1: planning

The fact that good planning is half the battle is a rush. But nowhere does it hit the mark more than when introducing an MES solution. What is not considered during the planning phase can lead to delays and unexpected costs later on. That is why you should value professional planning and organization.

Set yourself realistic goals. The best way to do this is to analyze the current situation, for example in the interaction between ERP and shop floor, and derive desirable changes from this. Make your goals as specific as possible.

It is also helpful to formulate individual success criteria for the respective goals. Based on these criteria, you can check whether you are on the right track over the course of the project. This is how a specification is created successively, because comprehensive documentation, including the analyzed work processes, is one of the cornerstones of a successful MES implementation.

Success factor 2: employees

The alpha and omega of MES introduction is the acceptance of this project by the workforce. If you involve the affected employees, from workers to IT experts, at an early stage, you prevent reservations about the project from arising that torpedo its success. Therefore, maintain open communication. Name changes and opportunities.

By involving all relevant employees at an early stage, their input also gives you an overview of the areas in which an MES solution increases efficiency and productivity. You must then prioritize the requirements you have collected in order to avoid a desired concert. The requirements with the greatest urgency should have top priority.

Success factor 3: choosing MES

The range of MES solutions is wide. You can take on the typical tasks of a MES , which are in the VDI5600 guideline and, in accordance with your catalog of requirements and the formulated goals, select the tasks that are necessary for your purposes.

However, it is important not only to keep an eye on the here and now, because MES requirements can change after the end of the project. Therefore, pay attention to how flexibly the MES solution in question can be used and how scalable it is. For example, solutions that are modular and can thus be adapted to changing requirements without great effort are recommended.

Success factor 4: the partner

The choice for a specific MES solution also includes the choice of the implementation partner. Here you should look at their references to see their experiences with comparable MES introductions to check.

If you are planning to expand the MES solution further within the company after the rollout, you must be aware that your collaboration with the implementation partner may well last for several years. It is therefore important that between your employees and those of Partners the chemistry is right. Not everything can be recorded in the specification sheet. Practical workshops as part of the introduction are also an effective means of getting to know each other.

Success factor 5: the rollout

Based on the specifications, you should implement the MES solution where the greatest increase in efficiency can be expected in the shortest possible time, or in other words: where the shoe is the hardest. Note that you cannot implement all of the goals set out in the specifications at once. Start on a small scale to end on a large scale, i.e. integrate just one or two machines into MES and expand the integration step by step across the entire shop floor.

It also doesn't hurt to let the old system run in parallel for a while in order to have enough time to put the new MES through its paces. Comprehensive documentation of the tests is also helpful here. If the test results are positive, the rollout is complete.

Here you can download our seven points as a PDF!

At a glance: How to make the MES rollout a success

• Involve everyone involved in the project at an early stage.
• Good planning reduces effort and costs. Give yourself enough time for the planning phase.
• Pay attention to detailed documentation.
• Based on the typical areas of application of an MES solution, check which areas are important to you and use this audit to create a catalog with prioritized requirements.
• Flexibility and scalability should play a central role in choosing the right MES solution.
• Select an implementation partner that has experience Check out his credentials.
• Check that there is chemistry between you and your implementation partner.
• The rollout should start based on the premise of achieving the greatest possible benefit in the shortest possible time.
• Proceed successively and gradually integrate more and more machines into MES.

Here you can download our seven points as a PDF!

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