# Best Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software for Small Business *By [Nathan Calabrese](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/nathan-calabrese)* Products classified in the overall Manufacturing Execution System category are similar in many regards and help companies of all sizes solve their business problems. However, small business features, pricing, setup, and installation differ from businesses of other sizes, which is why we match buyers to the right Small Business Manufacturing Execution System to fit their needs. Compare product ratings based on reviews from enterprise users or connect with one of G2's buying advisors to find the right solutions within the Small Business Manufacturing Execution System category. In addition to qualifying for inclusion in the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software category, to qualify for inclusion in the Small Business Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software category, a product must have at least 10 reviews left by a reviewer from a small business. --- ## What Are the Most Common Questions About Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software? *AI-generated · Last updated: May 26, 2026* ### What Manufacturing Execution System solutions reducing costly manual process overhead for mid-market operations teams? Based on G2 reviews, buyers evaluating Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software for reducing manual process overhead often prioritize products that centralize production data, replace spreadsheets or paper-based records, and improve real-time visibility. According to verified users, SAP Digital Manufacturing helps connect shop-floor activity with ERP data, reducing manual reporting and improving production tracking. G2 reviewers mention Kinetic for integrated workflows, scheduling, and shop-floor planning that keep multiple departments in one system. Katana Cloud Inventory is also noted for helping manufacturers move away from spreadsheets while improving inventory and production coordination. Across reviews, the biggest time savings come from better data accuracy, fewer disconnected systems, and faster response to production issues. ### What Manufacturing Execution System solutions integrating and working seamlessly with existing enterprise technology stacks? Based on G2 reviews, integration strength is a major theme for Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software buyers with established enterprise systems. According to verified users, SAP Digital Manufacturing is frequently praised for connecting manufacturing execution with SAP ERP, supply chain, and broader business processes, giving teams a more unified view of operations. G2 reviewers mention TrakSYS for its multiple integration tools that connect OT and IT systems, while Fulcrum is highlighted for cloud-first architecture and API flexibility that supports links to accounting, analytics, and quality systems. Reviewers consistently describe seamless integrations as valuable when replacing fragmented data flows, improving traceability, and helping production, planning, and inventory teams stay aligned. ### What most reliable Manufacturing Execution System platforms based on reviews from long-term enterprise users? Based on G2 reviews, reliability in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software is usually described through steady daily use, dependable visibility, and support for critical production workflows over time. According to verified users, SAP Digital Manufacturing is often described as a strong fit for enterprise environments that need real-time production visibility, centralized data, and close ERP alignment, though some reviewers note setup complexity. G2 reviewers also describe Kinetic as a dependable platform that supports ongoing manufacturing, inventory, and scheduling operations, while Fulcrum is recognized for helping teams maintain control across quoting, scheduling, and inventory. Long-term reviewers generally associate reliability with consistent tracking, reduced spreadsheet dependence, and better coordination across departments and sites. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [SAP Digital Manufacturing](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-digital-manufacturing/reviews) – used for real-time production visibility, ERP-connected execution, and centralized shop-floor reporting - [Kinetic](https://www.g2.com/products/epicor-kinetic/reviews) – used for scheduling, inventory, workflows, and multi-department manufacturing operations - [Fulcrum](https://www.g2.com/products/fulcrum-fulcrum/reviews) – used for inventory control, job tracking, scheduling, and production visibility across modern manufacturing teams ### Which Manufacturing Execution System vendors provide responsive customer support during critical production incidents? Based on G2 reviews, customer support quality varies by product, but several vendors are repeatedly recognized for being responsive when manufacturing teams need help quickly. According to verified users, Kinetic reviewers often mention access to support groups and help during implementation or customization issues. G2 reviewers also highlight Lineview for highly engaged support teams that help users work through reporting, downtime analysis, and operational questions. Shoplogix Smart Factory Suite is also described as having helpful support, especially for implementations and plant reporting needs. In this recent review set, Kinetic stands out as the single most-reviewed option among products discussed for responsive support, while buyers should still evaluate whether they need stronger onboarding, reporting assistance, or ongoing technical guidance. ### Which Manufacturing Execution System tools work best for small teams lacking dedicated IT support staff? Based on G2 reviews, small teams without dedicated IT support tend to value ease of use, straightforward setup, and minimal reliance on outside consultants. According to verified users, Katana Cloud Inventory is often described as intuitive, fast to learn, and helpful for small manufacturers moving beyond spreadsheets while managing inventory, production, and purchasing in one place. G2 reviewers also mention MRPeasy for keeping production, inventory, and purchasing aligned without unnecessary complexity, and Smart Shop Floor for giving teams live visibility that is easy to train across different roles. Reviewers consistently suggest that small teams do best with tools that simplify daily execution, reduce manual updates, and make onboarding easier for nontechnical users. ### Which Manufacturing Execution System platforms deliver fastest time to value for distributed remote teams? Based on G2 reviews, fast time to value for distributed or multi-location teams usually comes from quick onboarding, cloud access, and the ability to give users shared visibility without heavy setup. According to verified users, Kinetic is frequently praised for browser-based access, modern web views, and support for multiple device types, which helps distributed teams access manufacturing data more easily. G2 reviewers also note Katana Cloud Inventory for intuitive onboarding and connected workflows across inventory, production, and accounting, while Smart Shop Floor is recognized for live visibility that different teams can use from the same system. Reviewers generally connect faster time to value with simpler implementation, easier training, and immediate improvements in visibility and coordination. ### What highest rated Manufacturing Execution System for organizations transitioning from legacy systems and infrastructure? Based on G2 reviews, organizations moving off legacy systems tend to prioritize products that centralize fragmented processes, improve visibility, and reduce manual reconciliation. According to verified users, SAP Digital Manufacturing is frequently chosen to replace disconnected spreadsheets, manual reporting, and separate shop-floor systems with a more integrated manufacturing environment. G2 reviewers also mention Kinetic for modernizing older ERP and production workflows, while AMFG is described as helping teams move from spreadsheets and manual tracking into centralized scheduling and production management. Reviews suggest that successful legacy transitions depend less on feature breadth alone and more on how well the platform unifies production data, supports training, and helps teams standardize processes after go-live. ### What most trusted Manufacturing Execution System platforms by operations leaders based on user reviews? Based on G2 reviews, trust in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software is usually tied to visibility, consistency, and confidence in day-to-day decision-making. According to verified users, SAP Digital Manufacturing is trusted for connecting shop-floor operations with enterprise processes and giving operations teams real-time transparency. G2 reviewers also describe Kinetic as a dependable system for planning, inventory, and manufacturing workflows, while Shoplogix Smart Factory Suite is trusted for real-time machine and OEE visibility that helps teams focus on downtime and performance issues. Across reviews, operations leaders appear to trust platforms that reduce manual work, support faster issue identification, and create a clearer operational picture across plants, lines, or departments. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [SAP Digital Manufacturing](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-digital-manufacturing/reviews) – trusted for real-time shop-floor visibility and close connection to enterprise workflows - [Kinetic](https://www.g2.com/products/epicor-kinetic/reviews) – trusted for manufacturing planning, inventory visibility, and customizable operational workflows - [Shoplogix Smart Factory Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/shoplogix-smart-factory-suite/reviews) – trusted for live production monitoring, downtime analysis, and OEE-focused visibility ### What Best Manufacturing Execution System tools delivering strong implementation support for large enterprise deployments? Based on G2 reviews, large enterprise deployments often require strong onboarding, training, and vendor guidance because implementation complexity is a recurring challenge in this category. According to verified users, SAP Digital Manufacturing delivers broad enterprise functionality and SAP ecosystem alignment, but reviewers frequently note that rollout requires planning, technical coordination, and user training. G2 reviewers also point to Kinetic for consultant-supported implementations and broad customization, while AMFG is described as improving cross-department workflows but still requiring time for setup and onboarding. Reviews suggest that the strongest implementation support matters most when manufacturers are migrating legacy processes, integrating multiple systems, or standardizing operations across plants with different requirements. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [SAP Digital Manufacturing](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-digital-manufacturing/reviews) – suited for enterprise rollouts that need ERP-connected execution and multi-team coordination - [Kinetic](https://www.g2.com/products/epicor-kinetic/reviews) – suited for manufacturers needing consultant-backed setup and customizable workflows across departments - [AMFG](https://www.g2.com/products/amfg/reviews) – suited for organizations centralizing scheduling, order workflows, and production visibility across teams ### What are the best Manufacturing Execution System platforms for teams beginning digital transformation? Based on G2 reviews, teams beginning digital transformation usually look for Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software that replaces paper, spreadsheets, and disconnected tools with clearer visibility and easier daily execution. According to verified users, SAP Digital Manufacturing helps centralize production data and connect shop-floor operations to ERP processes, which supports a more data-driven environment. G2 reviewers also mention Katana Cloud Inventory for helping teams move off spreadsheets while improving inventory and production coordination, and MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence for digitizing batch records and reducing paper-heavy workflows. Reviewers consistently point to early wins such as better traceability, less manual entry, and faster access to operational information when starting digital transformation initiatives. **Here are some of the top-rated products on G2:** - [SAP Digital Manufacturing](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-digital-manufacturing/reviews) – helps teams centralize shop-floor data and replace disconnected reporting processes - [Katana Cloud Inventory](https://www.g2.com/products/katana-cloud-inventory/reviews) – helps teams move off spreadsheets and connect inventory with production workflows - [MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-manufacturing-excellence/reviews) – helps teams digitize batch records and reduce paper-based manufacturing processes ## How Many Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software Products Does G2 Track? **Total Products under this Category:** 272 ### Category Stats (Jun 2026) - **Average Rating**: 4.41/5 (↑0.01 vs May 2026) The average rating of products in this category, based on all submitted ratings - **New Reviews This Quarter**: 134 - **Buyer Segments**: Mid-Market 60% │ Enterprise 29% │ Small-Business 11% Represents the distribution of reviewers across all products in this category. - **Top Trending Product**: Smart Factory Suite (+1.45%) - Among all products in this category, Smart Factory Suite recorded the largest rating increase compared to last month *Last updated: June 09, 2026* ## How Does G2 Rank Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software Products? **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 2,500+ Authentic Reviews - 272+ Products - Unbiased Rankings G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category. ## Which Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software Is Best for Your Use Case? - **Best for Small Businesses:** [Katana Cloud Inventory](https://www.g2.com/products/katana-cloud-inventory/reviews) - **Best for Mid-Market:** [Kinetic](https://www.g2.com/products/epicor-kinetic/reviews) - **Best for Enterprise:** [SAP Digital Manufacturing](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-digital-manufacturing/reviews) - **Highest User Satisfaction:** [MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-manufacturing-excellence/reviews) - **Best Free Software:** [Epsilon3](https://www.g2.com/products/epsilon3/reviews) --- **Sponsored** ### TrakSYS TrakSYS MES is a manufacturing execution system (MES) software platform that helps manufacturers manage, monitor, and optimize production operations by connecting, contextualizing, and acting on real-time shop floor data. TrakSYS MES is designed for discrete, process, and hybrid manufacturing environments and is used by operations leaders, plant managers, engineers, and IT teams to improve visibility, control, and performance across production processes. The platform serves as a central hub for collecting data from machines, systems, and personnel, transforming that data into actionable insights, and enabling coordinated execution of workflows on the factory floor. The system supports a wide range of manufacturing use cases, including production tracking, quality management, inventory and materials management, equipment monitoring, and workforce coordination. TrakSYS is typically deployed as part of broader digital transformation initiatives, where organizations seek to standardize processes, improve efficiency, ensure compliance, and enable data-driven decision-making across one or more sites. TrakSYS is flexible in its deployment and configuration, allowing organizations to start with targeted use cases and expand over time. It can be implemented on-premises, in the cloud, or in hybrid environments, and supports integration with enterprise systems such as ERP, SCADA, IoT platforms, and data analytics tools. Key features and capabilities include: • Production and operations management: Tracks orders, materials, and production performance in real time to support throughput, scheduling, and execution visibility • Quality and compliance management: Enables in-process quality checks, data collection, traceability, and support for regulatory requirements • Connected worker enablement: Provides digital workflows, task management, and guided procedures to support frontline operations and workforce coordination • Data integration and contextualization: Connects to machines, sensors, and business systems to unify operational data into a structured, usable format • Analytics and reporting: Delivers dashboards, KPIs, and reporting tools to monitor performance metrics such as OEE, downtime, and yield • Scalability and multi-site support: Supports single-site and global deployments with capabilities for standardization and centralized management By combining data collection, workflow execution, and analytics within a single platform, TrakSYS MES supports manufacturers in improving operational efficiency, reducing variability, and maintaining control over complex production environments. [Visit website](https://www.g2.com/external_clickthroughs/record?secure%5Bad_program%5D=ppc&secure%5Bad_slot%5D=category_product_list&secure%5Bcategory_id%5D=1300&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_id%5D=1300&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bmedium%5D=sponsored&secure%5Bplacement_reason%5D=page_category&secure%5Bplacement_resource_ids%5D%5B%5D=1300&secure%5Bprioritized%5D=false&secure%5Bproduct_id%5D=98744&secure%5Bresource_id%5D=1300&secure%5Bresource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bsource_type%5D=category_page&secure%5Bsource_url%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fcategories%2Fmanufacturing-execution-system%2Fsmall-business&secure%5Btoken%5D=11aa796fbc30fafad5e43bd658f40e9d7253ddfeb94a56122d1ad273b07fa5aa&secure%5Burl%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.parsec-corp.com%2Ftraksys-overview%3Futm_source%3DG2%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3Ddefault&secure%5Burl_type%5D=custom_url) --- ## What Are the Top-Rated Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software Products in 2026? ### 1. [Katana Cloud Inventory](https://www.g2.com/products/katana-cloud-inventory/reviews) Katana Cloud Inventory gives you a centralized view of your inventory to maintain optimal stock levels across all your locations and efficiently track products available for sale. Easily manage incoming orders from all your sales channels and issue purchase orders directly from Katana to ensure restocking at the right time and in the right quantities. Seamlessly integrate Katana with your ecommerce, accounting, and other business software to automate repetitive tasks and get real-time visibility over your daily operations and business performance. **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 116 **How Do G2 Users Rate Katana Cloud Inventory?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.1/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) - **Quality of Support:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Ease of Use:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Admin:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Katana Cloud Inventory?** - **Seller:** [Katana](https://www.g2.com/sellers/katana) - **Company Website:** https://katanamrp.com - **Year Founded:** 2017 - **HQ Location:** Tallinn, Harju - **Twitter:** @Katana_MRP (843 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/22321384/ (104 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Who Uses This:** Managing Director - **Top Industries:** Manufacturing, Consumer Goods - **Company Size:** 89% Small-Business, 9% Mid-Market #### What Are Katana Cloud Inventory's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Ease of Use (44 reviews) - Customer Support (29 reviews) - Inventory Management (22 reviews) - Integrations (20 reviews) - Helpful (17 reviews) **Cons:** - Limited Functionality (25 reviews) - Missing Features (21 reviews) - Lack of Features (19 reviews) - Feature Deficiency (15 reviews) - Integration Issues (11 reviews) ### 2. [SAP Digital Manufacturing](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-digital-manufacturing/reviews) SAP Digital Manufacturing (DM) is a cloud-native Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) platform that acts as the control layer for the smart factory. It seamlessly connects shop-floor equipment and processes to the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. DM manages the entire manufacturing lifecycle, providing real-time visibility into production execution, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and quality assurance. Through its composable and low-code applications, DM enables agile production planning, resource orchestration, and guided execution, ensuring businesses can manage complex, high-volume production while accelerating their Industry 4.0 adoption. **Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 68 **How Do G2 Users Rate SAP Digital Manufacturing?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 7.9/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) - **Quality of Support:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Ease of Use:** 7.9/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Admin:** 8.0/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) **Who Is the Company Behind SAP Digital Manufacturing?** - **Seller:** [SAP](https://www.g2.com/sellers/sap) - **Company Website:** https://www.sap.com/ - **Year Founded:** 1972 - **HQ Location:** Walldorf - **Twitter:** @SAP (297,160 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/sap/ (141,955 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services, Manufacturing - **Company Size:** 41% Enterprise, 29% Mid-Market #### What Are SAP Digital Manufacturing's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Manufacturing Integration (13 reviews) - Real-time Monitoring (13 reviews) - Ease of Use (6 reviews) - Improvement (5 reviews) - Integrations (5 reviews) **Cons:** - Learning Curve (11 reviews) - Complex Implementation (7 reviews) - Confusing Interface (7 reviews) - Expensive (6 reviews) - Training Difficulties (6 reviews) ### 3. [AMFG](https://www.g2.com/products/amfg/reviews) With our award-winning MES boasting machine connectivity and cutting-edge software integrations, we enable businesses to transform their operations, streamlining processes across organizations and supply chains. With customers in 25 countries and offices in the US, UK and Europe, AMFG is a global leader in digital manufacturing. We partner with a range of companies from five-man job shops to blue chip OEMs including Volvo, HP and ArcelorMittal. Transforming the manufacturing landscape, AMFG leads the charge in automation’s adoption, propelling the industry into a new era of unparalleled efficiency and sustainability. **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 66 **How Do G2 Users Rate AMFG?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) - **Quality of Support:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Ease of Use:** 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Admin:** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) **Who Is the Company Behind AMFG?** - **Seller:** [AMFG](https://www.g2.com/sellers/amfg) - **Year Founded:** 1996 - **HQ Location:** Glasgow, Scotland - **Twitter:** @amfg_ai (661 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkeley-myles-solutions-ltd (17 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Top Industries:** Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing - **Company Size:** 102% Small-Business, 11% Mid-Market #### What Are AMFG's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Automation (14 reviews) - Workflow Efficiency (14 reviews) - Centralization Management (13 reviews) - Efficiency (9 reviews) - Manufacturing Integration (9 reviews) **Cons:** - Learning Curve (14 reviews) - Limited Customization (8 reviews) - Inefficient Workflow (6 reviews) - Slow Performance (6 reviews) - Complex Implementation (5 reviews) ### 4. [MRPeasy](https://www.g2.com/products/mrpeasy/reviews) MRPeasy is a cloud-based AI-powered, user-friendly ERP/MRP software for small manufacturers and distributors (10-200 employees). The software is purpose-built to provide small and medium-sized businesses with robust yet easy-to-use tools for tracking and managing all aspects of their workflows and stock. It combines advanced production and inventory management functionalities with purchases, sales, supply chain management, accounting, and forecasting tools. At the heart of MRPeasy lies a powerful manufacturing resource planning (MRP) system that enables complete control over production planning and scheduling, shop floor operations, capacity planning, bill of materials (BOM) management, and production tracking. Tools for subcontracting, quality control, master production scheduling, product returns, scrap management, and much more are also included. MRPeasy effortlessly tracks all inventory movements, ensuring you always know what you have in stock, where it’s located in the warehouse, and where it came from. It simplifies tasks like calculating production costs and lead times, booking materials to production orders, and making on-the-fly inventory adjustments. It lets you know when stock is running low and generates pre-filled purchase orders for out-of-stock items. Thanks to full end-to-end traceability, MRPeasy streamlines stock and order management, accurately tracking all costs, orders, and production activities. It includes stock lot, batch, and serial number tracking, a built-in barcode system, expiration tracking, an SKU system, and many other essential inventory and supply management tools. MRPeasy also incorporates a manufacturing CRM module and a B2B customer portal for intuitive sales management. It also fully integrates with your choice of eCommerce, CRM, or fulfillment apps, such as Shopify, Pipedrive, WooCommerce, Shipstation, and many others. Accounting is simplified thanks to full integrations with Xero and Quickbooks. Empower your small manufacturing or distribution operation with affordable, user-friendly, easy-to-scale software. Boost your profitability, reduce waste, and improve operational efficiency. with MRPeasy! **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 55 **How Do G2 Users Rate MRPeasy?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) - **Quality of Support:** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Ease of Use:** 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Admin:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) **Who Is the Company Behind MRPeasy?** - **Seller:** [MRPeasy](https://www.g2.com/sellers/mrpeasy) - **Company Website:** https://www.mrpeasy.com - **Year Founded:** 2014 - **HQ Location:** Bristol, England - **Twitter:** @mrpeasy (594 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/3840848/ (35 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Who Uses This:** Director - **Top Industries:** Manufacturing - **Company Size:** 84% Small-Business, 13% Mid-Market #### What Are MRPeasy's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Ease of Use (15 reviews) - Inventory Management (11 reviews) - Customer Support (9 reviews) - Customer Service (8 reviews) - Efficiency (7 reviews) **Cons:** - Missing Features (7 reviews) - Feature Deficiency (4 reviews) - Limited Functionality (4 reviews) - Learning Curve (3 reviews) - Navigation Difficulty (3 reviews) ### 5. [MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-manufacturing-excellence/reviews) MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence (Mx) is an AI-driven digital manufacturing platform made to help life sciences manufacturers eliminate millions of errors and deliver products to the market 70% faster. Mx enables completely paperless manufacturing with production records (EBR/eDHR) to our modern MES features to electronic logbooks and asset management. **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 142 **How Do G2 Users Rate MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) - **Quality of Support:** 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Ease of Use:** 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Admin:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) **Who Is the Company Behind MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence?** - **Seller:** [MasterControl](https://www.g2.com/sellers/mastercontrol) - **Company Website:** https://www.mastercontrol.com?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=about&utm_campaign=l1nk3din-sm - **Year Founded:** 1993 - **HQ Location:** Salt Lake City, UT - **Twitter:** @MCMasterControl (6,262 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/23070/ (742 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Top Industries:** Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology - **Company Size:** 66% Mid-Market, 22% Enterprise #### What Are MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Ease of Use (39 reviews) - Error Reduction (18 reviews) - Improvement (16 reviews) - Features (15 reviews) - Customer Support (13 reviews) **Cons:** - Limited Functionality (18 reviews) - Complex Usability (8 reviews) - Rigidity (8 reviews) - Software Bugs (7 reviews) - Training Difficulties (7 reviews) ### 6. [Kinetic](https://www.g2.com/products/epicor-kinetic/reviews) Epicor Kinetic is a cloud-first enterprise resource planning (ERP) system specifically designed for manufacturing organizations. This comprehensive solution integrates essential business functions such as finance, supply chain management, production planning, quality control, service, and analytics into a unified platform. By consolidating these core operations, Kinetic enables teams to effectively manage data and processes across various departments, enhancing overall operational efficiency. Targeted primarily at discrete, make-to-order, engineer-to-order, and mixed-mode manufacturers, Kinetic addresses the unique challenges faced by these industries. It is particularly beneficial for organizations that require seamless coordination of operations from the initial stages of estimating and purchasing through to production, shipment, and financial reporting. The platform is equipped with manufacturing and planning tools that facilitate production management, scheduling, materials requirements, and shop floor coordination, ensuring that all aspects of the manufacturing process are streamlined and transparent. Kinetic’s capabilities extend to supply chain, inventory, and warehouse management, which support purchasing, supplier collaboration, and order fulfillment. Additionally, the financial management and analytics features allow users to track costs, margins, and operational performance in a single environment, providing valuable insights into business results. The inclusion of workflow automation, embedded AI capabilities, and extensibility tools further enhances the user experience by reducing manual tasks and supporting role-based processes, making it easier for teams to focus on strategic initiatives. The Kinetic platform is designed for a diverse range of users, including operations leaders, plant managers, supply chain teams, production planners, finance teams, IT stakeholders, and other business users who require shared visibility into manufacturing and commercial processes. Common use cases encompass production scheduling, inventory and materials management, quality tracking, product configuration, project-based manufacturing, and multi-site coordination. Organizations looking for an ERP solution that supports global operations or offers browser-based access often consider Kinetic as a viable option. Epicor Kinetic is utilized across various sectors, including industrial machinery, fabricated metals, electronics and high-tech, automotive, aerospace and defense, medical devices, and plastics. With its AI-driven capabilities, Kinetic not only supports day-to-day ERP activities but also assists in decision-making and workflow management, positioning manufacturers for future-ready business and digital transformation. This singular ERP solution is designed to adapt to the evolving needs of manufacturers, ensuring they remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape. **Average Rating:** 3.9/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 726 **How Do G2 Users Rate Kinetic?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 7.2/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) - **Quality of Support:** 6.3/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Ease of Use:** 7.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Admin:** 7.5/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Kinetic?** - **Seller:** [Epicor](https://www.g2.com/sellers/epicor) - **Company Website:** https://www.epicor.com - **Year Founded:** 1972 - **HQ Location:** Austin, TX - **Twitter:** @Epicor (9,303 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/4617/ (6,204 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Who Uses This:** Controller, IT Manager - **Top Industries:** Manufacturing, Machinery - **Company Size:** 78% Mid-Market, 14% Small-Business #### What Are Kinetic's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Ease of Use (47 reviews) - Customization (28 reviews) - Customizability (27 reviews) - Customization Flexibility (27 reviews) - Features (27 reviews) **Cons:** - Learning Curve (26 reviews) - Not User-Friendly (21 reviews) - Learning Difficulty (19 reviews) - Missing Features (19 reviews) - Navigation Difficulty (19 reviews) ### 7. [Opcenter MOM](https://www.g2.com/products/opcenter-mom/reviews) Opcenter is Siemens’ unified and harmonized manufacturing operations management (MOM) solutions portfolio, enabling digital transformation of manufacturing. The portfolio encompasses integrated MOM capabilities including advanced planning and scheduling, manufacturing execution, quality management, manufacturing intelligence and performance, and research, development and laboratory management. With benchmark technologies and more industry-specific capabilities, Opcenter is also easy to deploy, configure, extend and integrate with other systems across the value chain, including product lifecycle management (PLM), enterprise resource planning (ERP) and shop floor automation solutions. Opcenter MES Manufacturing execution systems (MES) orchestrate complete visibility, control and optimization of manufacturing operations to build final products that accurately reflect design, engineering and process data. Opcenter MES serves as a leading MOM solution, combining innovative technology with strategic methodologies. Key components include: • Comprehensive integration: Opcenter unifies the entire production process, enabling seamless collaboration from planning and scheduling through execution and monitoring • Low-code development environment: Utilizing the Mendix Low-code platform, Opcenter empowers organizations to rapidly develop custom applications tailored to their unique operational needs • Cost-effective database options: Supporting open-source databases such as PostgreSQL reduces the licensing costs traditionally associated with proprietary systems • Automation for efficiency: Opcenter automates routine processes, such as software upgrades and installations, leading to minimal downtime • Containerization and modularization: Opcenter supports containerization, promoting efficient resource management and enabling manufacturers to scale their operations without major system overhauls • Real-time data and analytics: With real-time insights into production, manufacturers can identify inefficiencies and optimize workflows Cloud deployment options are available, including on Amazon Web Services (AWS), with the cloud-native Opcenter X solution also available for small and medium businesses (SMBs). Opcenter RD&L Opcenter Research, Development and Laboratory (RD&L) is a unified R&D platform that accelerates product innovation by integrating specification management, formulation, laboratory operations and quality control into a single source of truth. It replaces siloed tools with a configurable environment that ensures traceability, compliance and seamless handover from lab to full-scale production—critical for today’s shorter lifecycles, stricter regulations and demand for sustainable, personalized products. Key capabilities: • Single source of truth: A central, versioned repository for materials, recipes and utilities that drives consistent data across ERP, MES and LIMS • Innovation playground: A formulation digital twin for real-time simulation, cost and compliance checks—cutting physical trials and focusing on top variants • Built-in LIMS: Standardized lab workflows, sample management and reporting for R&D and QA/QC across process and discrete industries • 360° documentation & supplier collaboration: Secure digital notebooks, audit trails and direct supplier updates keep project data searchable, reusable and accurate With Opcenter RD&L, manufacturers turn ideas into compliant, high-quality products faster by unifying knowledge, automating processes and strengthening cross-site collaboration. Opcenter APS Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software automatically generates optimized production plans by accounting for real-world constraints—machine capacity, material availability and delivery deadlines—to maximize throughput and ensure on-time delivery. Siemens’ APS solutions layer in real-time data, scenario simulations and digital twins, giving manufacturers the agility and visibility needed to perform reliably even amid disruptions. Key benefits: • Synchronize demand and supply to minimize bottlenecks • Leverage predictive analytics for dependable delivery commitments • Use “what-if” modeling to anticipate and adapt to change • Align planning with shop-floor execution via real-time updates • Deploy modular, scalable components for rapid ROI and continuous improvement By weaving planning and execution together, APS ensures efficient resource use, reliable performance and a foundation for ongoing operational excellence. Opcenter Intelligence Manufacturing Intelligence connects, organizes and aggregates manufacturing data from disparate company sources into cohesive, intelligent and contextualized information to gain immediate and actionable insights. The information includes process data combined with business information, operations data and key performance indicators (KPIs) that affect manufacturing. Manufacturing Intelligence gives the user a big-picture perspective of the information in the context of Manufacturing Operations, providing tools to create web-based dashboards and report accessible from everywhere, enabling self-service data exploration and allowing spot trends and other data relationships. Opcenter Intra Plant Logistics Maintain inventory accuracy and ensure material flow with intralogistics capabilities, inventory management and JIT technology. Access real-time inventory: Track materials down to the single-carrier level across all production points—automated feeders, assembly stations, dispensers and coating lines—to know exactly what you have and where it is. Smart JIT replenishment and eKanban: Forecast material needs from the production schedule, then trigger just-in-time deliveries based on cost and changeover rules. Automatically monitor container consumption and waste, set Kanban thresholds for storage and pick points, and eliminate excess buffer stock. Special-material and warehouse orchestration: Identify and manage expiration- or moisture-sensitive inventory with automated alarms and process stops. Streamline inbound goods registration, commissioning, kitting and picking via handhelds and visual task queues. Material transport management: Track and trace every move, guide manual or AGV fleets for timely pick-ups and drop-offs and ensure on-deadline deliveries. **Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 59 **How Do G2 Users Rate Opcenter MOM?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) - **Quality of Support:** 8.4/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Ease of Use:** 8.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Admin:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Opcenter MOM?** - **Seller:** [Siemens Digital Industries Software](https://www.g2.com/sellers/siemens-digital-industries-software) - **Year Founded:** 1980 - **HQ Location:** Plano, Texas - **Twitter:** @siemenssoftware (36,971 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/28423178/ (20,941 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Top Industries:** Medical Devices, Food & Beverages - **Company Size:** 47% Mid-Market, 38% Enterprise #### What Are Opcenter MOM's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Process Improvement (6 reviews) - Real-Time Monitoring (5 reviews) - Manufacturing Integration (4 reviews) - Ease of Use (3 reviews) - Efficiency (3 reviews) **Cons:** - Difficult Learning (3 reviews) - Complex Usability (2 reviews) - Expensive (2 reviews) - Limited Customization (2 reviews) - Poor Design (2 reviews) ### 8. [L2L](https://www.g2.com/products/l2l/reviews) L2L is the Connected Manufacturing Operations Platform that eliminates downtime and increases productivity. Our platform delivers real-time guidance to frontline teams, unified control for operations leaders, and measurable insights for global executives. By digitizing frontline guidance and unifying system connectivity, we help manufacturers uncover, dispatch, and fix problems instantly, saving our customers over $5B annually in downtime costs. Why Manufacturers Choose L2L: - Fast Time to Value: Unlike legacy software that takes years to implement, our flexible approach delivers measurable impact in as little as 16 weeks. We provide a proven roadmap that allows you to start with maintenance stability and scale to total operational excellence. - By Manufacturers for Manufacturers: We don't just understand your challenges; we've lived them. L2L was built up from the shop floor and our team has decades of hands-on manufacturing experience. - Unified Shop Floor Execution: Stop chasing information across disparate systems. L2L unifies point systems like ERP, CMMS, MES, and more into one easy to use system for the frontline. Eliminate Blockers. Drive Productivity with L2L. **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 215 **How Do G2 Users Rate L2L?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) - **Quality of Support:** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Ease of Use:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Admin:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) **Who Is the Company Behind L2L?** - **Seller:** [L2L](https://www.g2.com/sellers/l2l) - **Company Website:** https://www.l2l.com - **Year Founded:** 2010 - **HQ Location:** Salt Lake City, US - **Twitter:** @Leading2Lean (348 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/l2l-manufacturingsoftware/ (172 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Top Industries:** Manufacturing, Automotive - **Company Size:** 61% Mid-Market, 31% Enterprise #### What Are L2L's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Easy Creation (30 reviews) - Instruction Creation (29 reviews) - Ease of Use (20 reviews) - Guides (19 reviews) - Accessibility (11 reviews) **Cons:** - Limited Options (21 reviews) - Editing Difficulties (14 reviews) - Complex Usability (12 reviews) - Editing Limitations (11 reviews) - Image Editing Difficulties (10 reviews) ## What Is Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software? [ Manufacturing](https://www.g2.com/categories/manufacturing) ## What Software Categories Are Similar to Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software? - [Quality Management Systems (QMS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/quality-management-qms) - [Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/advanced-planning-and-scheduling-aps) - [Manufacturing Intelligence Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/manufacturing-intelligence) --- ## How Do You Choose the Right Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software? ### What You Should Know About Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software ### What is Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software? Manufacturing execution system (MES) software helps manufacturers execute production plans by implementing work orders on the shop floor. While enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems help manage production schedules, MES software manages manufacturing operations. Sometimes referred to as manufacturing operations management software, MES allows manufacturers to track production cycles to identify bottlenecks, monitor quality in real time, and measure shop floor performance. MES is a critical component of industry 4.0 which aims to improve digital transformation by automating manufacturing processes. According to research by Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA) International, MES is an essential part of a manufacturer’s software ecosystem. **What Does MES Stand For?** MES stands for manufacturing execution systems, which describes how this software differs from ERP for manufacturing. MES manages the execution of production orders created in ERP systems. #### **What Types of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software Exist?** MES types vary depending on how the software is delivered and the industry focus of the solution. **Industry-specific or agnostic** MES functionality depends on the type of manufacturing the solution is being used for. The main manufacturing categories are discrete (medical devices, process pharmaceuticals, and engineering) to order. Mixed-mode ERP combines two or all of these manufacturing categories. For instance, the aerospace industry requires discrete ERP for parts and ETO ERP to assemble an aircraft.  **Standalone or part of a suite** MES is usually sold and used as a standalone software solution but can also be deployed as part of a more extensive manufacturing suite that generally includes other software such as ERP systems and quality management systems.  ### What are the Common Features of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software? The following are some core features within MES software that can help users improve quality and increase productivity: **Resource allocation:** Production requires raw materials, ingredients, and components to manufacture finished products, as well as labor and equipment. All these resources are allocated to production orders by MES systems based on the quantities required and their availability.  **Shop floor management:** Dispatching employees on the factory floor is essential in any manufacturing process. Using resource planning, MES assigns technicians to equipment and workstations and ensures everyone knows what to do and when by creating clear work instructions. **Production scheduling:** While the production process is defined in advance, production orders may change either because manufacturers adjust their priorities or because of issues such as defective equipment and lack of inventory.  **Production monitoring:** MES tracks production output and product quality while also focusing on traceability across all production stages. Monitoring should provide real-time data so production and quality managers quickly identify issues that may negatively impact production, equipment, and employees. **Data collection and analysis** : MES collects production data which is transferred to other information systems such as business intelligence to analyze manufacturing performance, production costs, and equipment efficiency. ### What are the Benefits of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software? The main benefits of MES are: **Production visibility:** MES provides visibility into all stages of the production process with real-time updates on what is being manufactured, the estimated time to completion, and who is in charge.  **Reduced costs:** Better visibility helps manufacturers avoid costly errors that may compromise an entire production batch if not detected early. It also allows other departments like accounting to track production costs.  **Increased productivity:** By using MES, shop floor employees know precisely what they need to do and how. Also, production managers can optimize equipment use through planning, thus reducing downtimes, which reduces the wait time between production cycles. **Improved overall equipment effectiveness (OEE):** OEE is a global standard used to measure manufacturing productivity. It is often used as a benchmark to compare a manufacturer's performance with its peers in the same industry. MES helps improve OEE scores, a significant competitive advantage for manufacturers. ### Who Uses Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software? **Production managers:** To execute production orders, managers need to implement manufacturing business processes on the shop floor. MES also provides real-time visibility into everything on the factory floor, from production activities to quality inspections and equipment maintenance. **Shop floor employees:** Shop floors are, by definition, paperless since production employees need to focus on using and supervising equipment. MES is designed to be easily accessed on mobile devices or touch terminals, allowing employees to find the information and work instructions they need quickly.  **Quality managers:** Quality professionals use MES to define workflows for inspections and testing to determine nonconformance and implement corrective actions. For instance, a batch of ice cream that isn't sweet enough can be adjusted by adding more sugar. However, if it's too sweet, the batch may be compromised, so it's critical for quality supervisors to detect issues before their impact is irreversible. ### What are the Alternatives to Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software? Alternatives to MES software can replace this type of software, either partially or entirely: [ERP software](https://www.g2.com/categories/erp): ERP solutions that include MES modules are the only viable alternative to MES software.  #### Software Related to Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software Related solutions that can be used together with MES software include other manufacturing software such as: [ERP systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/erp-systems) **:** ERP for manufacturing, such as discrete ERP, process ERP, ETO ERP, and mixed-mode ERP, identify production requirements based on demand and create production plans that consider the availability of inventory, employees, and equipment. MES uses all this information to execute production orders on the shop floor.  [CAD & PLM software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-plm) **:** Product design and engineering teams use this software to launch new products or improve existing ones. Product information such as components, bills of materials, and technical specifications need to be transferred to ERP software to plan production and finally to MES for production execution. Production data can also be transferred from MES and ERP back to PLM systems to gather information through the entire product lifecycle. [Quality management systems (QMS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/quality-management-qms) **:** Quality managers need to ensure that the products manufactured by the company comply with standards and regulations for health and safety, sustainability, or ethical procurement. QMS is used to identify which compliance applies to the manufacturer and how to enforce it during production.  [Asset management software](https://www.g2.com/categories/asset-management-f3e79baa-6f93-4d40-b734-16e9b562fc14) **:** Asset management software tracks equipment downtime and monitors maintenance management operations to avoid asset failures and accidents. Through connectivity with MES, asset management solutions can analyze real-time shop floor data on all fixed assets used in production.  [Supply chain management software (SCM)](https://www.g2.com/categories/supply-chain-management): SCM manages all activities related to purchasing raw materials and ingredients for production and shipping finished goods. Logistics processes need to be synchronized with production through MES and ERP so that manufacturers know what they need to buy to satisfy demand and how and when to deliver products to customers exactly. ### Challenges with Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software MES software solutions can come with their own set of challenges.  **Integration:** MES can only work together with ERP systems for manufacturing, which makes integration between the two systems critical for manufacturers. While MES vendors provide integration with the most popular ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft, hundreds of other ERP solutions require custom integration. MES also needs to integrate with [supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software](https://www.g2.com/categories/supervisory-control-and-data-acquisition-scada) to capture data from the industrial equipment used on the shop floor.  **Complexity:** Since MES was designed for manufacturers, the software can be as complex as the company's operations. For instance, aerospace manufacturers usually have much more complicated processes than fashion and apparel companies. As a result, MES for aerospace is also more complex, making it challenging to implement and maintain. **Cost:** The complexity of the software and additional expenses like custom integration can make MES quite expensive, especially for SMB manufacturers. For this reason, SMBs prefer to buy ERP software with MES functionality, which may not always provide all the features they need.  **Regulatory compliance** : MES software needs to comply with regulations and industry standards for manufacturing. For example, the ISA 95 standard aims to safeguard the information exchange between MES and other systems such as ERP. There are also numerous local, national, and international regulations for quality control, which vary by industry. For example, industries like food and beverage or pharmaceuticals are usually higher regulated than discrete manufacturing sectors. ### Which Companies Should Buy Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software? **Manufacturers:** Only manufacturing companies can benefit from using MES since they need to create and implement work orders and work instructions, manage routing and sequencing for production activities, track work in process (WIP) and product quality, and sometimes rework finished products to comply with customer requirements.  ### How to Buy Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software #### Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software As mentioned above, MES can provide industry-specific functionality, which should be the primary focus when creating a requirements list. Other essential requirements to consider are the delivery model of the software (cloud or on-premises) and integration with ERP and other software used in manufacturing. #### Compare Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software Products **Create a long list** A buyer can create a long list of products by eliminating those solutions that do not provide features specific to their industry. For example, a fashion and apparel company won't benefit from using an MES solution designed for food and beverage.  **Create a short list** To create a short list, buyers need to ask vendors to provide detailed information on how their products help with the requirements mentioned above. In addition, companies should require information on MES pricing, implementation, training, and support to further differentiate between vendors. Finally, customer references and product reviews can provide authentic though subjective feedback about vendors and their products. **Conduct demos** While it's difficult to simulate shop floor operations, a demo should aim to show how a buyer can use the MES in production following a real-life scenario. It is also essential to see how MES integrates with ERP and other solutions. Finally, the MES vendor should demonstrate how the system supports unplanned changes to standard operations. #### Selection of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software **Choose a selection team** The selection team for MES should include production managers, supervisors, end users, quality managers, members of the maintenance team, and the IT department.  **Negotiation** While pricing negotiation is essential, buyers should obtain other benefits such as free 24/7 global support or advanced training.  **Final decision** The final decision should consider all the factors mentioned above: requirements, demos, pricing, and the services offered by the vendor.  ### What Does Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software Cost? An MES solution's cost comprises the standard license price plus additional customization, implementation, training, and support fees.  #### Return on Investment (ROI) To determine the ROI of an MES solution, manufacturers need to identify its benefits, such as reducing production times or increasing output, then compare them with the costs mentioned above.  ### Implementation of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software **Who is Responsible for Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software Implementation?** While the buyer and its production team are ultimately responsible for implementing the solution, the vendor and its partners should be an integral part of the process. Therefore, close cooperation between buyer and vendor is critical for the success of the implementation. **What Does the Implementation Process Look Like for Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software?** MES implementation should start with a clear description of manufacturing processes, integration requirements, and quality control procedures. When applicable, the next step is data migration from other systems such as ERP or PLM and the old MES solution. MES configuration and deployment should only happen after the steps above have been completed.  **When Should You Implement Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software?** If MES is acquired together with a new ERP system, it is recommended that the two solutions be implemented simultaneously. By implementing MES and ERP together, manufacturers ensure that the workflows and processes are consistent across both systems and that production data is captured and transferred optimally. Manufacturers should not implement MES during peak season since it can disrupt operations and cause delays and potential losses.  ### Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software Trends **Cloud computing** While MES has been delivered as an on-premises solution for decades, more and more vendors now offer cloud solutions. Some vendors provide both options, making the transition to the cloud less disruptive. New vendors usually provide cloud-only MES software, which has the main benefit of being designed for the cloud, while older MES solutions have been moved to the cloud without fundamental changes to the source code.  **Market consolidation** Due to the complexity of the software, which makes development difficult, MES vendors are pretty rare and tend to be acquired by large ERP providers such as SAP, Oracle, and Infor. PLM vendors like Siemens also acquired MES systems. This trend is expected to continue, and most MES products acquired will likely be incorporated into more extensive ERP or PLM systems. **Internet of things (IoT)** IoT helps manufacturers transfer data between fixed assets and equipment and production facilities or shop floor locations. This improves data accuracy and reduces redundancy. Also, real-time information can help manufacturers identify nonconformant production and adjust operations to avoid significant losses. IoT platforms specifically designed for manufacturing are known as [Industrial IoT](https://www.g2.com/categories/industrial-iot) (IIoT) and provide advanced features for intelligent manufacturing such as digital twins and manufacturing intelligence.