# Best Enterprise Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software *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, enterprise business features, pricing, setup, and installation differ from businesses of other sizes, which is why we match buyers to the right Enterprise 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 Enterprise 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 Enterprise Business Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software category, a product must have at least 10 reviews left by a reviewer from an enterprise business. ## Category Overview **Total Products under this Category:** 263 ## Trust & Credibility Stats **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 2,200+ Authentic Reviews - 263+ 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. ## Best Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software At A Glance - **Best for Small Businesses:** [Katana Cloud Inventory](https://www.g2.com/products/katana-cloud-inventory/reviews) - **Best for Mid-Market:** [MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-manufacturing-excellence/reviews) - **Best for Enterprise:** [MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-manufacturing-excellence/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) ## Top-Rated Products (Ranked by G2 Score) ### 1. [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:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 140 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.0/10 (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: 8.3/10) **Seller Details:** - **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 (6,274 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/23070/ (782 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Top Industries:** Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices - **Company Size:** 67% Mid-Market, 20% Enterprise #### Pros & 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) ### 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:** 4.2/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 39 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 7.9/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) - **Quality of Support:** 8.4/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Ease of Use:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Admin:** 8.0/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [SAP](https://www.g2.com/sellers/sap) - **Company Website:** https://www.sap.com/ - **Year Founded:** 1972 - **HQ Location:** Walldorf - **Twitter:** @SAP (297,227 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/sap/ (141,341 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Company Size:** 38% Small-Business, 31% Enterprise #### Pros & 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. [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:** 213 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **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: 8.3/10) **Seller Details:** - **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/ (167 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Top Industries:** Manufacturing, Automotive - **Company Size:** 60% Mid-Market, 31% Enterprise #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Ease of Use (20 reviews) - Efficiency (9 reviews) - Efficiency Improvement (8 reviews) - Features (7 reviews) - Navigation Ease (7 reviews) **Cons:** - Complex Usability (12 reviews) - Confusing Interface (5 reviews) - Learning Curve (4 reviews) - Poor Interface Usability (4 reviews) - Poor Navigation (4 reviews) ### 4. [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:** 53 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **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:** 7.9/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Admin:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [Siemens Digital Industries Software](https://www.g2.com/sellers/siemens-digital-industries-software) - **Year Founded:** 1980 - **HQ Location:** Plano, Texas - **Twitter:** @siemenssoftware (36,936 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/28423178/ (20,658 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Top Industries:** Medical Devices, Food & Beverages - **Company Size:** 48% Mid-Market, 37% Enterprise #### Pros & 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) ### 5. [MANUFACTURO](https://www.g2.com/products/manufacturo/reviews) Built The Right Thing. The Right Way. Right Now. At Manufacturo, we believe the future belongs to manufacturers who learn fast and adapt even faster. Our platform is purpose-built for you to outpace the status quo — with everything you need to move from engineering to production, to scale efficiently and operate with precision. Manufacturo is a cloud platform for manufacturers that combines deep functionality with modern flexibility. It’s not just a manufacturing execution system (MES). From day one, we designed our platform to be intuitive, fast, and API-first—built to match the way modern manufacturers operate. You can deploy quickly, scale at your pace, and configure everything just the way you want it — or use it right out of the box. Our cloud platform includes native applications built from the ground up as a unified system: dispatching and work scheduling, document control, nonconformance and CAPA management, traceability, inventory and asset tracking, material requirements planning (MRP), standard operations, and more. Real-time data flows from one operation to the next—driving usability, visibility, and quality across the production process. Unlike legacy MES tools, Manufacturo embeds quality – including compliance, traceability, and change control - directly into production; there are no bolt-ons, no workarounds. Every decision is grounded in clean, contextualized data. Every production operation is a quality operation. Every process is built to adapt. And every user, from the shop floor to engineering, gets a system that makes the complex usable. Whether you're launching spacecraft, building energy infrastructure, or scaling next-gen manufacturing, Manufacturo gives you the control, visibility, and agility to do it right — and do it better. **Average Rating:** 4.7/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 35 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) - **Quality of Support:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Ease of Use:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Admin:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [MANUFACTURO](https://www.g2.com/sellers/manufacturo) - **Company Website:** https://manufacturo.com/ - **Year Founded:** 2018 - **HQ Location:** Brea, US - **Twitter:** @MANUFACTURO1 (69 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/manufacturo-com/ (85 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Who Uses This:** Manufacturing Engineer - **Top Industries:** Aviation & Aerospace, Automotive - **Company Size:** 51% Mid-Market, 37% Enterprise #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Ease of Use (15 reviews) - Customer Support (11 reviews) - Intuitive (11 reviews) - Manufacturing Integration (10 reviews) - Integrations (9 reviews) **Cons:** - Complex Usability (7 reviews) - Difficult Learning (4 reviews) - Learning Curve (3 reviews) - Challenges in Usage (2 reviews) - Complexity (2 reviews) ### 6. [PINpoint MES](https://www.g2.com/products/pinpoint-mes/reviews) PINpoint is a No-Code Manufacturing Execution System (MES) solution specifically designed for discrete manufacturing environments. This innovative platform enables manufacturers to streamline their operations, enhance product quality, and improve overall efficiency without the need for extensive coding or IT expertise. By providing a user-friendly interface, PINpoint empowers organizations to implement process improvements quickly and effectively, making it an ideal choice for manufacturers looking to optimize their production processes. Targeted primarily at manufacturers in discrete industries, PINpoint caters to a diverse range of users, from production managers to quality assurance teams. The platform is particularly beneficial for organizations that require real-time insights into their operations, as it offers live dashboards that track production metrics and monitor shop-floor performance. This capability allows users to make informed decisions based on current data, ultimately leading to improved operational outcomes. One of the standout features of PINpoint is its unique "5-Bucket" Model Analytics, which categorizes production activities to identify inefficiencies by tracking every second of product, station, and operator performance. By analyzing these categories, manufacturers can pinpoint areas for improvement, resulting in higher throughput and increased productivity. This analytical approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also supports continuous improvement initiatives within the organization. Moreover, PINpoint excels in its ability to integrate seamlessly with existing ERP, automation, and other systems (open APIs) . This interoperability ensures a smooth flow of data across various platforms, promoting operational consistency and reducing the likelihood of errors. The system's scalability is another significant advantage, as it can support growth across single or multiple sites while maintaining robust data security measures to protect sensitive information. Key features and benefits: - No-Code Platform: Easy drag-and-drop configuration with no IT expertise required , Out-of-the-box deployment within 6 weeks for quick start - Real-Time Visibility: Live dashboards for full shop-floor monitoring and performance tracking, IoT-enabled insights to identify and resolve bottlenecks quickly. - Advanced Analytics with 5-Bucket Model: Categorizes production activities to expose inefficiencies and improve throughput, distinguishes between value-added and non-value-added tasks for better optimization. - Seamless Integration: Connects effortlessly with ERP, automation, and other systems via open API, ensures smooth data flow and operational consistency. - Scalability and Security: Advanced security protocols to maintain data integrity and compliance,scalable to grow with your business, from single facilities to global deployments. - Continuous Support & Improvement: Dedicated support team for personalized guidance and continuous optimization, 90-day PASS Review and 6-month Health Check to ensure ongoing performance. Boost Productivity & Quality: Error-proofing processes to reduce defects and warranty claims, Real-time feedback and digital work instruction. - Maximize ROI: Eliminate production inefficiencies and boost output without extra labor or equipment, monitor KPIs such as OEE and cycle times to drive continuous improvement. Overall, PINpoint MES is designed to enhance workflows and help manufacturers achieve their production goals with precision and efficiency. By leveraging its no-code platform, real-time visibility, and advanced analytics, organizations can drive significant improvements in their manufacturing processes, ultimately leading to better product quality and increased competitiveness in the market. **Average Rating:** 4.7/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 50 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.6/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) - **Quality of Support:** 9.5/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Ease of Use:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Admin:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [Advantive](https://www.g2.com/sellers/advantive) - **Company Website:** https://www.advantive.com/ - **Year Founded:** 2022 - **HQ Location:** Tampa, FL - **Twitter:** @Advantive_ (53 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/advantive-software/ (719 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Top Industries:** Automotive, Manufacturing - **Company Size:** 47% Enterprise, 43% Mid-Market #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Customer Support (4 reviews) - Ease of Use (3 reviews) - Data Capture (1 reviews) - Easy Implementation (1 reviews) - Efficiency (1 reviews) **Cons:** - Complex Implementation (1 reviews) - Expensive (1 reviews) - Integration Issues (1 reviews) - Not User-Friendly (1 reviews) - Software Bugs (1 reviews) ## Parent Category [ Manufacturing](https://www.g2.com/categories/manufacturing) ## Related Categories - [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) --- ## Buyer Guide ### 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.