“By the time we reached the final two MES vendors, I wasn’t just comparing features.
I was comparing philosophies — and how each one saw our factory.”
Getting to the Final Two Wasn’t Just a Scorecard Exercise
We started with a structured approach — using a weighted scorecard, evaluation checklist, and real-world use cases.
But what truly shaped the shortlist were the conversations, gut checks, and on-site impressions.
By the time we narrowed it down to two finalists, we had already:
- Reviewed seven vendors
- Scored them across 20+ criteria
- Run Q&A sessions
- Observed demo logic, not just UI
But even with all that structure, the decision still came down to more than numbers.
The 3 Real Lessons I Learned
✅ 1. Every Vendor Has Strengths — but Not All Fit Your Context
One vendor had great traceability logic, but less flexible UI.
Another had beautiful screens, but limited logic handling for rework flows.
Neither was perfect. But I had to ask:
“Which vendor fits our current factory maturity, and can grow with us?”
✅ 2. The Real Test Is How They Handle Complexity
When we introduced edge cases — like unit tracking within a batch, or handling a carrier shared across production orders — the vendor’s true capabilities showed up.
The best vendors didn’t say “yes” to everything.
They explained what was possible, what needed custom work, and what would be risky.
That honesty mattered more than promises.
✅ 3. Your Selection Isn’t Just Technical — It’s Strategic
One vendor was more proven, with a clear rollout model.
The other offered more flexibility but needed stronger internal ownership from our side.
The final decision wasn’t just about functionality.
It was about what kind of partnership we were ready to manage.
What Helped Us Decide
- Running a Line Walk with both vendors to observe how they interacted with our process
- Revisiting our top criteria: traceability, integration readiness, operator usability, and support model
- Thinking long-term: which vendor could support multi-site rollout if this pilot succeeded?
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Final Thought
Shortlisting isn’t about finding the best MES in the world.
It’s about choosing the one that works best for your factory, your people, and your future.
“Reaching the final two MES vendors isn’t the end of the journey.
It’s where your decision-making becomes more strategic — and more human.“