Some tips and suggestions, along with the reasoning behind: “Clarity and a Red Thread.”
Final part of the blog series “Clarity in MES Selection.”
As promised, the final part of the topic “Clarity in MES Selection” focuses on some practical tips and suggestions.
Tips and Suggestions
Requirements & Specification Sheet
Your requirements should be documented in a specification sheet. This is part of the request to MES providers. Makes sense, right?
Of course, it takes work to consider in advance which technical, non-technical, and integration requirements you have. Still, the better this is prepared beforehand, the easier it is to enforce these requirements and discuss solutions during the selection process. For example, the previously mentioned performance topic: clear specifications from you allow precise statements regarding required hardware, transmission rates, etc., and also enable proper success control.
Ensure your constraints are also clearly defined. Clear statements about your (project and implementation) timeline, scope, and special topics allow the provider to propose targeted solutions and show how a project could look under the given constraints.
Machine List
Take the effort to create an overview of all your machines. Details can be read again in previous guidance.
Why?
First, it helps you understand the scope of integration the MES provider anticipates. It removes a lot of “grey areas” from the proposal process, as the list clearly shows how many tools and types there are, whether there are “special cases,” and how standardized the interfaces are. This allows for a relatively clear assessment of integration efforts without relying on estimates.
Second, the list allows you to consider different integration paths and phases and discuss them through proposals. Questions about training and desired project support for machine integration are directly linked to your wishes and expectations. Do you have a team that will handle future machine integrations? How should this team be trained and involved? Does the solution allow future integrations to be handled independently?
Your RFP package should include at least:
Your constraints such as projected timelines, phases, project scope
Information you want from the provider
Training and project requirements
Your specification sheet with technical, non-technical, and integration requirements
Commercial aspects (e.g., offer structure)
Other points
Formulate everything that matters to you.
Stay Pragmatic
Avoid comparing Excel lists with 500+ technical items point by point. The same function may have different names in different systems, causing confusion. Instead, ask yourself: “How can I determine if this MES fits our company?”
A pure feature comparison won’t answer this. Look for use cases and document them. Request a personalized MES demo. This effort is definitely worth it!
Stay focused on your core project goals. You will be overwhelmed with information during the selection process, which can delay your timeline.
Data
A word on “data” — simply because it’s crucial. Effort well justified!
The MES helps control and monitor production based on “ZDF – numbers, data, facts.” It is essential to trust the incoming data. Only then can evaluations, monitoring, and orchestration of processes work correctly. This includes clean master data and knowledge of all data sources connected to your MES.
Use this as an opportunity for data cleanup, correction, or consolidation. Define which system is the “master” for certain data. Also clarify responsibilities: who is responsible for which master data?
Consider the implementation and selection process as a chance to organize your data. Later, it is extremely difficult to make corrections in operational use. Otherwise, unclear or dirty data will cause decision-making issues, interface problems, etc. — exactly what you wanted to improve.
Communication / Change Management
I cannot stress enough: introducing an MES affects many areas of your company, not just IT or production. Clear, consistent communication and executive support are critical.
Industry 4.0 / digitalization / automation generates questions and emotions. Communicate clearly what is planned, timelines, affected areas, and most importantly: the company’s goal. Take concerns seriously.
Besides announcements, provide regular updates on project progress. Remember: many colleagues will interact with the new system: order processing, production management, logistics, inventory, etc. Bring them onboard from the start!
Red Thread
Important: keep the red thread! You are in a process — not just the selection process but the journey toward digitalization and automation. Many new questions will arise, so maintaining focus is essential.
Famous Last Words
The word “clarity” may have been overused in this series, but it cannot be emphasized enough.
Why?
This is a process, a journey. You learn along the way.
Selecting an MES is just the beginning. You are not buying an MES because it’s trendy. You invest to move your company forward, digitalize, and automate production. You likely have an initial idea or vision of what Industry 4.0 means for your company. You want to advance production and prepare for the future.
For this to succeed, the MES must be integrated in the company — technically and in mindset. Employees must work with it.
Thus, clarity and a red thread are essential:
The steps for selecting and integrating an MES build on each other. The better your “homework” in one phase, the easier the next phase.
If not, open tasks, technical issues, or interface problems will arise later, possibly during live operation.
Clarity also helps in communication:
With yourself
With your internal stakeholders
Within the company
With the MES provider and external partners
All this effort is worth it. A smooth project and ROI come only when the MES is actively used. Keep this in mind for such an investment.
MES is the first step toward Industry 4.0. With each successful use case, appetite grows, and at least two new use cases arise.
Therefore: maintain clarity and the red thread!
Want to move toward Industry 4.0? Take the opportunity to learn within your organization! It makes sense to have (or build) an internal team for MES and future automation projects.
External support is helpful — an experienced external perspective is valuable — but you and your colleagues know your company best.
Ask yourself: does outsourcing the MES selection completely make sense? You must be involved eventually — especially in demos and commercial aspects. If you do not commit resources or consider project goals, constraints, and requirements, you lose early learning, insights, control, and clarity. Invest in an internal team, supported by external expertise if needed.
Wishing you success — embark on your own path!
Start with clarity and a red thread.
Clarity for You!
Clarity and a red thread.
Is this how you envision your path to Industry 4.0?
Take the opportunity and schedule a free strategy session! I assure you: it’s worth it — enjoy clarity and the good feeling of being definitively one step ahead.
Simply click the blue button under this blog post. I look forward to speaking with you!
