MES / MOM / Shopfloor Manufacturing Services

Supporting manufacturing digitalization — from MES selection to integration and optimization of shopfloor processes.

Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Implementation
Production Data Acquisition (PDA) Implementation

Strategic Technology Leadership When You Need It Most

Oriol Fuertes, freelance IT consultant, reviewing robotic automation systems with engineers on a factory floor

MES According to VDI 5600

The system was aligned with the functional requirements defined in VDI Guideline 5600 (Manufacturing Execution Systems), including:

Order management & production control
Production data acquisition (PDA / BDE)
Machine data acquisition (MDA)
Personnel time tracking
Quality data collection
OEE calculation
Downtime analysis
Traceability & batch tracking
KPI dashboards & reporting

Beyond the standard scope, I developed custom modules tailored to individual production environments, integrating ERP systems, machine interfaces, barcode scanners, and shopfloor terminals.

PDA (Production Data Acquisition) – The Core

The primary product focus was PDA:

Real-time recording of production quantities
Downtime categorization
Operator login & shift management
Scrap & quality feedback
Manual and semi-automated machine input
Shopfloor terminal interfaces

The result:

✔ Transparent production performance
✔ Measurable efficiency improvements
✔ Reliable KPI base for management decisions

My Role in the Projects

I was not only responsible for architecture and development — I led the complete delivery process:

Requirements analysis with production management
Process modeling & system design
Backend & frontend development
Database modeling
Machine and ERP integration
Rollout planning & go-live
User training on shopfloor
Long-term support and optimization

This combination of technical depth + operational understanding is what makes the difference in manufacturing environments.

Why This Matters for Your Manufacturing Operations

An MES system only delivers real value when it is deeply integrated into your operational landscape.

I don’t see MES as an isolated tool — but as a critical execution layer between ERP, shopfloor, and management.

One of the most important aspects of my projects was the integration into ERP systems, including:

SAP integration (production orders, confirmations, material movements)
Multiple custom ERP systems
Bidirectional data exchange between ERP and MES
Automated order synchronization
Feedback of production confirmations and KPIs
Master data alignment (materials, BOMs, work centers, personnel)

This ensured:

✔ Real-time transparency between planning and execution
✔ Elimination of double data entry
✔ Consistent production and inventory data
✔ Reliable basis for controlling and cost calculation

MES Selection & Vendor Evaluation

Having worked on both sides of the table — leading MES selections and responding as a vendor — I bring a unique, realistic perspective that ensures objective, technically grounded, and risk-aware decision-making.

Structured, Objective & Risk-Driven Selection Process

Selecting an MES system is one of the most critical strategic decisions in manufacturing IT.
The wrong choice can lock a company into years of inefficiency, integration problems, and unnecessary costs.

I have led structured MES selection processes across multiple sites, ensuring that the final decision was:

Requirements-driven
Technically validated
Financially transparent
Operationally realistic
Risk-assessed

Structured Requirements Engineering

The process starts with a systematic analysis phase:

Development of a structured MES questionnaire
Interviews with stakeholders across multiple production sites
Workshops with production, IT, quality, logistics, and management
Documentation of functional and non-functional requirements
Differentiation between global and site-specific needs
Definition of ERP, machine, and interface integration requirements

The outcome is a prioritized and validated requirements catalog — not just a feature wish list.

Vendor Evaluation & Scoring Model

Once requirements are defined:

Structured requirement documents are sent to selected MES providers
Vendor responses are analyzed and normalized
A weighted scoring model is applied
Functional, technical, and strategic criteria are evaluated
Results are reviewed transparently with the client

Evaluation dimensions include:

Functional coverage
Technical architecture
Integration capability
Scalability & performance
Vendor stability & roadmap
Implementation methodology
Total cost of ownership

Technical Risk Assessment

Beyond scoring matrices, I conduct a deep technical evaluation of suppliers, including:

Architecture and system landscape review
ERP integration feasibility (including SAP environments)
Customization and extensibility risks
Upgrade and lifecycle strategy
Long-term maintainability
Multi-site rollout capability

For identified risks, mitigation strategies are defined — turning uncertainty into structured decision criteria.

A Unique Perspective: Buyer & Supplier Experience

One major differentiator:

I have been on both sides of the table.

I have led MES selection processes on the client side
I have responded to structured evaluation processes as an MES vendor
I have won projects — and lost them

This gives me a deep understanding of:

How vendors position strengths and hide weaknesses
Where marketing language replaces technical clarity
Which promises typically create implementation risks
How scoring models can unintentionally distort decisions

This dual perspective ensures a more realistic, technically grounded evaluation.

From Evaluation to Final Decision

After scoring and technical assessment:

Shortlisted suppliers are invited to presentation rounds
Deep-dive workshops are conducted
Findings are consolidated into a structured decision framework
A final, defendable recommendation is delivered