IIoT vs. MES Systems: How do they compare?

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) are well known as the traditional way of streamlining operations, managing assets, collecting production data, and enabling traceability on the plant floor. For the past 30 years, MES systems have been commonplace on the plant floor, with manufacturers understanding their benefits and having utilized their technology for years. Within the past five years, IIoT has entered the scene as the new kid on the block. Providing simplified, streamlined, and accessible value for manufacturers, IIoT systems are challenging the MES monopoly.

Driving similar goals, manufacturers are now posed the decision to either ignore IIoT altogether and risk losing competitive advantage, amend their current MES system to expand functionality, or replace their current MES system with an IIoT solution.

But how do MES and IIoT systems compare?

System Maturity

As a mature system, MES platforms have been around for over 30 years, making the technology more refined and holistic than its IIoT counterpart. Just gaining popularity in the past 5 years, IIoT systems are still in the process of being improved and fine-tuned as an out-of-the-box solution. Being time-tested and approved, MES systems seem like the safe choice. But according to?Gartner, the MES market is generally seen as a replacement market, with roughly 80% of manufacturing dollars spent on MES going towards replacing legacy systems. This has propelled many to fear that MES systems are not future-proof and may not be able to adapt or keep up with the ever-improving IIoT platforms.

Data Functionality and Reporting

Develop and implement cyber security procedures and practices to protect your business operations. Your current and future employees should be trained so that they are aware of the expectations and potential risks they pose to the network. Review your policies with a legal professional in order to ensure that they are compliant with local laws and regulations. Policies and procedures should be reviewed annually to ensure that they include any changes or updates to your organization, network, or structure.

Expense?

MES systems are more expensive out-of-the-box but require less programming to achieve the desired outcomes. IIoT systems, on the other hand, are less expensive out-of-the-box but can require additional programming costs to achieve desired functionalities. MES solutions also require costly, manual apps and updates, whereas IIoT is generally consumed as a cheaper, subscription-based cloud service. Cloud computing means that IIoT systems provide scalability, high availability, and more affordable pricing.

Flexibility

As a centralized solution, MES systems thrive within their specific functionalities but fail to connect or work outside of those boundaries. As a microservice-based solution, IIoT systems are flexible and agile and are able to combine and connect sensors, devices, systems, applications, data flows, the network, and different users. By combining IIoT platforms, organizations can build new applications for their processes and iterate upon those applications without upsetting the broader system.

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