#1 Manufacturing Blog
The most comprehensive blog on OEE, MES, Kaizen, Six Sigma, Lean Production, Shop Floor Management and many other topics related to your production!
Excel vs. Professional MES: When Spreadsheets Become a Cost Trap
Above a certain level of complexity, Excel becomes a risk—and ultimately more expensive than a professional MES such as SYMESTIC.
People, Knowledge and Shift Book: Capturing Shopfloor Intelligence in the MES
Discover how a digital MES shift book preserves knowledge from production, improves shift handovers, and builds a culture of continuous learning.
Workflow Automation in MES: Intuitive, No-Code Process Control
MES workflow automation without code: Configure processes in browser. Triggers, rules, actions – adaptive manufacturing with no IT dependency.
OEE and Shopfloor Management: From Root Cause to Improvement
Learn how OEE, Ishikawa diagrams, 5 Whys, and 5S work together to uncover losses, eliminate root causes, and sustain improvement in manufacturing.
MES Pilot Project: From Concept to Measurable Results
An MES pilot project is the decisive step between theory and large-scale rollout.
MES Implementation: From Project to Standardized Deployment
Implementing a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is a key step toward digitalized, transparent, and controllable production.
MES vs MOM: Definition, Architecture, and Strategic Relevance in Digital Manufacturing
MES vs MOM explained: MES executes, MOM orchestrates. ISA-95 standard, 4 operational domains, holistic manufacturing operations management.
MES vs SCADA: Functional Differences, Data Integration, and Roles in Smart Manufacturing
MES vs SCADA: Understanding the difference. SCADA monitors processes, MES manages production. ISA-95 levels explained. +20% data quality integrated.
MES vs ERP: Functional Differences, Integration, and Strategic Value in Modern Manufacturing
MES vs ERP: Why you need both systems integrated. ERP plans, MES executes in real-time. 20% higher OEE, 50% less manual effort through integration.
AI-Assisted MES: How Machine Learning Enables Predictive Manufacturing
AI-powered MES: From data collection to predictive control. 25% less downtime, real-time anomaly detection, proactive manufacturing intelligence.
No-Code Manufacturing: How Operators Build Dashboards Without IT Skills
No-Code MES: Create dashboards without IT. 80% less effort, drag-and-drop instead of SQL. Shopfloor teams build their own KPIs in minutes.
SaaS MES: How Subscription Models Turn CAPEX into OPEX
SaaS-MES vs licenses: 70% lower entry costs, no IT investment. From CAPEX to OPEX – modern MES as subscription starting at €850/month.
Cloud MES vs. Traditional MES: Economics, IT Overhead, and Scalability
This is not a buzzword trend—it’s an economic correction.
OEE Integration Step by Step
Step-by-step OEE integration: how Cloud MES connects data, standardizes processes, and delivers enterprise-wide manufacturing efficiency.
What Should OEE Data Collection Cost in 2026?
OEE data collection 2026: key cost drivers, ROI insights, and why Cloud MES will define the future of affordable, real-time OEE tracking.
The Hidden Factory Behind OEE: Revealing Untapped Production Potential
Discover your Hidden Factory: unlock unused production capacity with OEE, TEEP, and MES analytics — more output without new investments.
OEE and TPM: Ensuring Efficiency Through Preventive Maintenance
OEE, TPM, and Condition Monitoring: how preventive maintenance ensures efficiency, minimizes downtime, and stabilizes equipment performance.
OEE Dashboards & KPI Visualization
OEE dashboards in MES: Real-time KPI visualization that drives fast decisions, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Predictive OEE: From Analysis to Forecasting
Predictive OEE: AI forecasts efficiency losses early, prevents downtime, and turns production data into proactive performance control.
OEE and Sustainability: Efficiency as the Foundation of Responsible Manufacturing
OEE drives sustainability: less energy, material, and waste — use MES data to connect efficiency with measurable ESG impact.
How OEE Is Used in Production Meetings
OEE in Shopfloor Management: From KPI to leadership tool — drive daily improvement with real-time MES insights and data-driven meetings.
OEE for SMEs: Challenges and Fast, Practical Solutions
OEE for SMEs: Fast, low-cost implementation with clear ROI. Start small with Cloud MES or Micro-MES for measurable efficiency gains.
The Biggest Strategic Mistakes in Using OEE
Avoid common OEE strategy mistakes. Use OEE within an integrated MES framework to drive real, measurable production performance.
OEE in Industry 4.0: Key Metric, but Not the Ultimate Measure
OEE remains key in Industry 4.0 but only part of the picture — MES links it with other KPIs for full production transparency.
OEE Controlling & Reporting: Turning Data into Decisions
The real value lies in structured OEE controlling and reporting that transform raw data into actionable insights.
How OEE Relates to TEEP, OAE, and OLE
OEE shows how productively machines and systems are being used, combining availability, performance, and quality into a single value.
OEE Calculator: Calculate Overall Equipment Effectiveness
Free OEE calculator: Calculate your overall equipment effectiveness according to VDMA/DIN standards. With loss analysis and ROI calculation!
OEE Benchmarks: Facts, Realistic Values, and Practical Limitations
OEE benchmarks explained: realistic values, industry differences, and the real limits of comparing manufacturing efficiency.
The Three OEE Factors Explained – How Availability, Performance, and Quality Reveal True Efficiency
OEE factors explained in depth: how availability, performance, and quality reveal real manufacturing efficiency with practical MES insights.
How an MES System Relates to the OEE Metric
How MES systems capture and improve OEE in real time. Expert insights and practical examples for data-driven manufacturing performance.
What Should an MES Cost in 2026?
Discover what an MES should cost in 2026 — realistic pricing, ROI insights, and how Cloud MES delivers measurable value.
The Limits of OEE – What the Metric Doesn’t Measure
The Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) has become the standard metric for assessing the performance of machines and production systems.
OEE Formula: Calculation, Example & Common Mistakes
The calculation is based on the internationally recognized standard formula: OEE = availability × performance × quality. Find out how to proceed here.
Equipment management in MES
MES equipment management monitors machines, tools, and maintenance to ensure maximum availability and product quality.
Information Management in MES
MES information management transforms production data into dashboards, KPIs, and reports for real-time transparency and decision-making.
Personnel Management in MES
MES personnel management links orders, skills, and shifts for efficient workforce utilization in manufacturing.
Material Management in MES
MES material management enables transparency, replenishment control, and full material traceability across production processes.
MES Data Collection – BDE, MDE & Real-Time Production Transparency
MES data collection combines BDE, MDE, and real-time insights for transparency, efficiency, and traceability in manufacturing.
Quality Management in MES
MES quality management according to VDI 5600 ensures process and product quality in real time – with SPC, traceability, and automated documentation.
Detailed Scheduling & Dispatching in MES
Detailed scheduling is the MES function that transforms high-level ERP plans into a technically feasible and optimized production sequence on the shopfloor.
MES Functions in Manufacturing: Overview According to VDI 5600
Overview of key MES functions according to VDI 5600: scheduling, quality, data collection, material, personnel and equipment management.
ISA-95: The Standard for MES Architectures and ERP Integration
Learn how the ISA-95 (IEC 62264) standard structures MES architectures, streamlines ERP integration, and enables interoperable manufacturing systems.
MES Architectures Compared: On-Prem, Hybrid & Cloud-Native
MES architectures compared: On-Prem, Hybrid, and Cloud-native. Key differences, benefits, and use cases for modern manufacturing.
Hybrid MES (Lift & Shift): The Bridge Between On-Prem and Cloud
Hybrid MES explained: the Lift & Shift approach bridging On-Prem and Cloud. Benefits, challenges, and key migration insights for manufacturers.
On-Prem MES: Architecture, Benefits & Limitations
On-Prem MES explained: architecture, advantages, and challenges. Compare On-Prem vs Cloud MES and discover key industry trends.
Six Sigma: Definition, Methods & Practical Examples
Six Sigma reduces errors and increases quality and efficiency. Learn about methods, DMAIC, and ROI for production.
OEE software + dashboards: recording and monitoring for production
Optimize OEE recording: From manual methods to the cloud-native Symestic platform. Increase your production efficiency with precise monitoring.
Understanding Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE): A Comprehensive Guide
Find out how you can optimize your OEE value to increase the efficiency of your production. Focus on benchmarks, calculation and error prevention
What is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)?
In this rapidly evolving digital era, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is playing a crucial role in transforming industrial processes and systems.
SAP DMC vs. Cloud-native MES Alternative
SAP MES vs. best-of-breed MES - SAP DMC compared to cloud-native MES alternatives. Find out more now.
Cloud MES: Fast, scalable, and secure digitization
Discover how Cloud MES increases production efficiency, provides real-time data and integrates Industry 4.0 in your company.
What is Operational Excellence? - Definition, Strategy & Approach
Explore the transformative power of Operational Excellence in business, from its definition to digital-age applications.
What is a PPS system?
Find out why a PPS system is indispensable in the manufacturing industry. Discover the functions and possible applications of PPS systems.
Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Explained
Learn what a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is – key functions, benefits, and trends that make production smarter and more efficient.
Production Data Collection: The Ultimate Guide to PDC Systems [2025]
Discover all about Production Data Collection (PDC): its definition, types, benefits, and modern systems for efficient production in Industry 4.0.
Shop Floor Management: The Ultimate Implementation Guide
Shop Floor management is the systematic control of production processes to increase efficiency. Key role for competitiveness in the modern economy.
Lean Production Guide: Principles, Methods, and Industry 4.0
Lean production: efficient production for future-oriented companies by streamlining and simplifying processes.
The Kaizen philosophy: A guide to continuous improvement
Kaizen philosophy - a guide to continuous improvement.
CIP (Continuous Improvement Process)
Learn about Continuous Improvement Process (CIP) in manufacturing, its tools like Six Sigma & Kaizen, and successful company examples in our guide.
Industry 4.0: Definition, benefits & implementation
Focus on Industry 4.0: Leverage digitalization for competitive advantages and efficient MES systems. Key to modern production.
The Six Most Common OEE Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The mistakes that are most frequently made when determining OEE and how you can avoid them to efficiently achieve your productivity goal.
How You Can Improve OEE in Your Manufacturing Operation
Use an example improvement process to learn how you can work with your production team to boost your OEE score.
The Benefits of Automated OEE
Automatic OEE capture ensures high accuracy, consistent data, reliable real-time monitoring and much more …
The Six Biggest Causes of Declining OEE Scores
Detailed explanations of the “Six Big Losses” that can occur in production and how they impact the OEE factors.
What Characterizes a Good OEE Score?
The identified OEE score can be a warning signal, an indication that your performance is only average, or a sign of excellence.
Why Improving OEE Reduces Your Production Costs
Eliminating the causes of losses not only reduces costs while increasing profits, but also leads to a better OEE score.
