Selecting the Right MES Software Provider as a Discrete Manufacturer

ABI Research recently assessed 18 Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software providers catering to discrete manufacturers. Our unbiased assessment ranked MES vendors based on innovation and implementation criteria such as product capabilities, user experience, global reach, and pricing options. This Research Highlight identifies the top three MES software providers in each category.

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MES Software Innovations That Discrete Manufacturers Should Prioritize

This section identifies the innovation criteria ABI Research used to rank the top MES software vendors for discrete manufacturing.

• Product Capabilities: What distinctive features does the MES solution provide? Does it incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) functionality? How does it differentiate itself from competitors in the market?
• Data Visibility, Accessibility, and Security: Is the software cloud-based or cloud-native? Can data be accessed remotely and shared across multiple plants to facilitate enterprise-wide collaboration? Are the data tailored to suit the specific needs of various users within the organization? Does the solution adhere to and surpass security standards like ISO 27001 and IEC-62443?
• User Experience and Worker Augmentation: Does the software offer low- or no-code options? Can users easily generate detailed reports? Are the screens customizable for individual operators, displaying only the information relevant to each user? Does the MES include an integrated AI chatbot to assist workers?
• Building a Digital Thread: Is there a comprehensive enterprise software ecosystem or portfolio that supports the MES software?
• Manufacturing Vertical Expertise: How effectively does the MES software meet the specific demands of the discrete manufacturing sector?

Top Three Most Innovative MES Software Vendors

Critical Manufacturing, Tulip, and Siemens demonstrate the most innovative capabilities with their MES solutions.

#1: Critical Manufacturing (90.5/100)

Critical Manufacturing excelled in MES innovation, scoring highly across nearly all criteria. The solution's user experience stood out with its low/no-code tools, customizable User Interface (UI), and AI copilot, all enhancing worker adoption. The software vendor showcased significant expertise in discrete manufacturing, offering innovative out-of-the-box functionality, including an advanced planning and scheduling application that optimizes production processes.

Additionally, the integrated costing model links to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, improving manufacturers' responsiveness to market changes. However, the MES solution's innovation score was slightly impacted by its weaker digital thread support, relying more on System Integrators (SIs), rather than an extensive solution portfolio or strong technology partnerships.

#2: Tulip (89.3/100)

Tulip took second place for MES software innovation, with its Frontline Operations Platform being recognized for its exceptional flexibility and ease of use. The platform boasts an intuitive MES application development tool and a comprehensive library of pre-configured applications. Additionally, the company offers impressive AI capabilities, notably its Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) chatbot, the Frontline Copilot, which provides rapid access to shopfloor analytics and worker support. However, Tulip's relatively weaker data visualization capabilities kept it from securing the top spot.

#3: Siemens (88/100)

Siemens rounded out the top three most innovative MES software providers in the competitive ranking. Siemens' MES software, Opcenter, is part of the Siemens Xcelerator platform, offering an End-to-End (E2E) automation solution. Integrated with tools like Teamcenter for PLM, Simcenter for simulation, and Insights Hub for data analytics, Opcenter supports a range of manufacturing processes, including discrete, process, and hybrid.

The MES software is closely linked with Tecnomatix for optimizing production through digital twins and Mendix, Siemens' low/no-code platform, which allows for easy customization. The recent partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) further enhances Opcenter by enabling rapid AI application development, delivering significant value to manufacturing customers.

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Video Telematics System Implementation Factors

The top MES software vendors were also ranked on the following implementation criteria:

• Bookings and Customer Base: How extensive is the vendor’s global installation network? What is the size and growth rate of their customer base?
• Time to Value: How much of the solution is ready Out of the Box (OOTB)? Does it support easy scalability, rapid deployment, and offer Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) options? Are there strong integration capabilities?
• Partnerships: Does the vendor have a robust network of SIs and strategic market partners? Are there notable AI-focused collaborations?
• Support for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs): How effectively does the solution cater to the needs of smaller-scale manufacturers?
• Pricing Options: Is the solution modular, available through a digital marketplace, and does the vendor offer flexible, value-based pricing models?

Vendors That Best Support MES Software Implementation

ABI Research ranked Siemens, Rockwell Automation, and Dassault Systèmes as the top three MES software providers in terms of implementation.

#1: Siemens (88.5/100)

Siemens ranks highest in the MES implementation criteria, thanks to its extensive customer base and proven deployment experience in discrete manufacturing. The Opcenter solution excels with comprehensive OOTB features and seamless integration with existing technology stacks. Additionally, Siemens scores well for supporting SMB manufacturers, particularly with Opcenter X, a cloud-based version that enables quick and easy access to the MES software.

#2: Rockwell Automation (86.5/100)

Rockwell Automation secured second place for MES implementation, thanks to its robust OOTB functionality and strong scalability across both production lines and entire factories. The solution's multi-tenant design, featuring a shared codebase across customers, allows for rapid access to new features. However, Rockwell Automation missed the top spot due to its weaker support for SMBs and a slightly less competitive customer base.

#3: Dassault Systèmes (77/100)

Dassault Systèmes took third place in MES software implementation, with outstanding deployment experience in discrete manufacturing and a fast, flexible multi-site deployment strategy. The MES software’s modular design and full OOTB functionality ensure excellent time to value. However, the company's weaker SMB support and less developed partnership ecosystem kept it from reaching the top two.

Get the Complete Ranking

Download ABI Research’s MES Software: Discrete Manufacturing competitive assessment for the full evaluation of these MES software providers, as well as 15 others.