MES implementation roadmap: How to implement an MES step by step

Michael Möller

6 mins

Updated:

Published:

October 31, 2025

For many companies, the introduction of an MES is a key factor in reducing machine downtimes and optimizing production sustainably. The MES implementation roadmap shows how clear successes can be achieved in three phases — from 0 to 18 months — and how the systems can be integrated step by step.

gbo datacomp – Ihr MES Experte

MES Lösungen

Erfahren Sie, wie Sie Ihre Produktion mit digitalen Lösungen effizienter gestalten können – und welche Potenziale unser umfassendes MES Portfolio dafür bietet.

Verschaffen Sie sich einen Überblick über unsere Leistungen und entwickeln Sie gemeinsam mit uns in einem persönlichen Gespräch eine maßgeschneiderte Lösung für Ihren individuellen Anwendungsfall.

Überblick MES Angebot

Why a roadmap is crucial when introducing MES

The Introduction of a MES (Manufacturing Execution System) is a decisive step for many companies to reduce machine downtimes and optimize production. But experience shows that anyone who starts without a structure runs the risk of losing acceptance within the team or not fully exploiting the benefits.

This is exactly where the MES implementation roadmap On. It shows how companies can proceed in clear phases — with visible success and sustainable integration into production processes.

‍

Phase 1:0-3 months — Basic MES, training, quick wins, first KPI

The first few months are about laying the foundations for MES:

Introduction of a Base MES for recording machine data
trainings Of Employees to Ensure Acceptance
Implementation of”Low hanging fruits“, e.g. simple process improvements
First projects for Setup time optimization

Benefit: Small, quickly visible successes create trust and show that the introduction of MES brings real improvements.

Phase 2:3 —9 months — Launch TPM, implement RCA, initial dashboards, ERP integration

Following the initial successes, the introduction of MES is being systematically deepened:

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) Start to involve employees
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Introduce to make causes visible
First dashboards Establish to visualize data
Pilot project for Predictive maintenance Start

Benefit: Causes become apparent, the organization learns to work with data, and transparency becomes part of everyday production.

Phase 3:9 — 18 months — Predictive rollout, full KPI transparency

In the third phase, MES is fully integrated:

Rollout of Predictive maintenance On a larger scale
Integrate MES with ERP/APSto create continuous data flows
Building a complete KPI transparency for management and production

Benefit: With the complete introduction of MES, production can be controlled, machine downtimes can be systematically reduced and decisions are based on facts.

From measures to implementation: How the two are connected

Many companies start with a clear catalog of measures to reduce machine downtimes — for example through set-up time optimization, spare parts management or real-time MDE. But without a specific Implementation roadmap These measures often remain piecemeal.

The roadmap ensures that the individual steps are sensibly prioritized and put into practice over a period of 18 months:

In the first few months, rapid measures such as training, simple process improvements or a basic MES implementation take effect.
In the medium term, structured methods such as TPM or RCA will be firmly established in everyday life.
In the long term, predictive rollouts, ERP integration and KPI transparency create a consistent system.

This is how individual measures become a Holistic Improvement ProcessThat can be planned, measured and sustainable.

Conclusion: With the MES Implementation Roadmap for Successful Implementation

The introduction of an MES is not a one-off major project, but a structured process. With the MES implementation roadmap Succeeds in achieving measurable improvements step by step — from rapid success in the first few months to full integration and KPI transparency.