“When your current MES isn’t meeting expectations, but the factory can’t wait — sourcing becomes more than a selection process. It becomes a balancing act.”
Why We Needed a New MES — Quickly
Our current MES had been deployed as a pilot, and while it served many functions, we began to notice gaps as we expanded.
Not everything scaled as expected — some issues were functional, others related to language support, documentation, or fit with our local environment.
At the same time, we were under pressure:
- New lines were ramping up
- Digital expectations were rising
- Stakeholders wanted faster rollout and clearer ROI
The urgency was real — but so were the risks of rushing.
The 3 Forces I Had to Balance
1. Business Needs
What the factory truly needed — not just flashy features.
Traceability, operator usability, equipment connectivity, and robust data structure were top of our list.
2. Speed to Decision
There was leadership urgency to “move fast” — but a rushed decision could mean living with the wrong system for years.
3. Fit for Our Environment
Beyond functionality, I had to ask:
- How flexible is the deployment and local support model?
- Will this vendor support our dual-language needs?
- Can it adapt to our future process changes?
How I Navigated the Pressure
- ✅ Set Realistic Expectations Early
I aligned with management: speed is important, but clarity is critical.
We agreed to run a structured vendor screening even if it meant an extra 2–3 weeks. - ✅ Created a Weighted Scorecard
Each criterion — traceability, integration, UX, scalability, language, support — was scored based on importance and vendor capability. - ✅ Engaged Vendors Transparently
Rather than just sending RFPs, I had conversations. I explained our environment and the challenges we were facing — so they could show relevant demos, not generic ones. - ✅ Made Trade-Offs Visible
Some vendors had sleek UI but lacked shop-floor practicality. Others were strong in traceability but weaker in reporting.
Instead of hiding the trade-offs, I made them clear to leadership.
A Note on Respecting Existing Systems
Our current MES helped us reach a certain level.
It’s not about blaming — it’s about knowing when the current tool can’t support the next stage of growth.
“The goal wasn’t to find a “perfect MES.”
It was to find a better fit for where we’re going.”
Toolkit Mention
If you’re facing the same urgency, I’ve created a free tool to help:
👉 You can download a copy of my MES Evaluation Criteria Scorecard (VST-001) here.
You can adjust the weights, enter your vendor scores, and get an immediate snapshot of fit.
🔗 Related Posts:
- Criteria I Set for Selecting the Right MES Vendor
- Is China MES Really Cheap? Here’s What You’re Overlooking
Final Thought
Sourcing under pressure is never easy.
But pressure can lead to clarity — if you take the time to structure your thinking.
The key is to:
- Keep stakeholders informed
- Use early vendor conversations as feedback loops to sharpen your requirements
“In the end, a good MES is not just about features.
It’s about fit — with your process, your people, and your pace.”