MES Proof of Value: Reducing Risk in MES Implementations

The MES Proof of Value (PoV) has become a central instrument for de-risking MES implementations. Instead of long-term project commitments or purely theoretical business cases, a PoV provides a clear, evidence-based answer to one fundamental question:

Does this MES deliver measurable value in my production environment – yes or no?

This is the key difference between a Proof of Value and traditional Proof-of-Concept approaches.

What Is an MES Proof of Value?

An MES Proof of Value is a clearly time-boxed evaluation phase in which an MES is deployed using real production data. The objective is not to test as many features as possible, but to prove economic impact.

The focus is on measurable KPIs such as downtime, scrap, or Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) – not on software demos or PowerPoint promises.

Unlike a Proof of Concept, which validates technical feasibility, an MES Proof of Value evaluates business value. It answers whether an MES pays off, how quickly it delivers results, and whether a full rollout makes economic sense.

Why an MES Proof of Value Is Critical Today

MES projects rarely fail due to technology. They fail because of misaligned expectations. Without a PoV, systems are often rolled out at scale before it is clear whether they actually address the most relevant production losses.

An MES Proof of Value significantly reduces this risk by basing investment decisions on measured results instead of assumptions.

For management, a PoV provides decision confidence. For production and IT teams, it creates acceptance by making benefits transparent and verifiable. At the same time, decision cycles are shortened because discussions about hypothetical potential are eliminated.

Typical Objectives of an MES Proof of Value

An MES Proof of Value always follows clearly defined goals. In practice, these typically include:

• Reduction of unplanned downtime

• Improvement of OEE

• Reduction of scrap rates

• Decrease in manual reporting effort

It is critical not to pursue too many objectives at once. A focused PoV with one or two core KPIs delivers far better results than a broad functional test.

The MES Proof of Value Process

The MES Proof of Value follows a clear and structured logic.

First, target KPIs are defined. Companies determine which losses are relevant and how they will be measured. This step is critical, as it defines the evaluation framework.

Next, relevant machines and data sources are connected. The PoV deliberately focuses on a limited production scope, such as a single line or bottleneck process. Once data collection starts, a baseline is established to represent the current state.

Based on this baseline, anomalies are analyzed and initial improvement measures are derived. After a defined runtime, results are measured again and compared with the initial situation.

The MES Proof of Value concludes with a clear outcome: measurable value, quantified economic impact, and a recommendation for or against a rollout.

Relevant KPIs for an MES Proof of Value

An MES Proof of Value should focus on economically relevant KPIs, including:

• OEE and its loss components

• Downtime duration and downtime costs

• Scrap rates

• Time spent on manual data collection and reporting

Crucially, KPIs must not be viewed in isolation. They need to be translated into cost impact. Only then does a KPI become a reliable decision metric.

PoV vs. Pilot Project

An MES Proof of Value is not an open-ended pilot project. While pilot projects often expand over time and end without a clear evaluation, a PoV is strictly limited, goal-oriented, and outcome-driven.

It is not intended for gradual implementation, but for decision-making. This clarity is exactly what makes it attractive for companies aiming to minimize investment risk.

Decision Confidence Through Measurable Results

At the end of an MES Proof of Value, decisions are not based on experience or intuition, but on data. Companies know which effects are realistic, how quickly they materialize, and how they impact cost and productivity.

Providers such as SYMESTIC use the MES Proof of Value as a structured entry model. By running a clearly defined, time-limited PoV with real production data, MES value becomes visible early and serves as a solid decision foundation.

Conclusion

The MES Proof of Value is not an optional intermediate step. It is a core selection and decision instrument. It replaces assumptions with measured results, reduces project risk, and creates transparency about the real value of an MES.

Companies that secure their MES implementation with a Proof of Value make better decisions – faster, data-driven, and economically sound.