what questions to ask an MES vendor - part 1

No matter which MES (Manufacturing Execution System) vendors you’re exploring, you’ll start with a discovery call (or maybe two). These early conversations are your opportunity to ask and answer key questions on both sides. At this stage, you’re not just evaluating software; you’re determining whether the vendor understands your business, your goals, and the challenges on your shop floor. For us, the discovery process is where we learn which of the five critical areas your production problems fall into and how ready your team is to address them.

Some manufacturers come to these calls ready to move. You’ve seen enough pain and just want a solution that works. Others take a cautious, more analytical approach, carefully evaluating every option and turning over every leaf. Both are valid. Whether you’re at one end of the spectrum or the other – or somewhere in between–the right MES partner should meet you where you are and help you make confident, informed decisions.

An MES vendor shouldn’t just sell software. They should educate, advise, and partner with you. They should be able to explain not just what their system does, but why MES technology is essential for modern manufacturing. And how it can help you build a more connected, efficient, and profitable operation.

the top 3 production issues for manufacturers

Over the last 30 years working with thousands of manufacturers, we’ve noticed that some challenges never change. No matter your industry, the top three factors that cost you the most time and money are the same: equipment, materials, and process. Layer on top of that the human challenges every team faces (staffing shortages, training gaps, communication breakdowns) and you get a cacophony of noise that is taking up valuable time and money, erasing profits that could have been flowing to your bottom line. 

Last week, we talked a little about these key issues:

•       Equipment: Capacity limits, scheduling conflicts, and tool availability
•       Materials – Shortages, timing issues, and expensive rush shipments
•       Processes – Variability that leads to rework, errors, and common problems you have

This week, we’re diving deeper. Starting with inventory, one of the most common sources of frustration we see in small to midsize manufacturing. These are the questions to ask any MES vendor to make sure their system can help you manage it effectively.

Curious about exploring practical, manageable ways smaller manufacturers can start to automate their shop floor? Join CIMx Software and Info-Tech Research Group this week as we speak with a leading industry analyst to dive into what's next for manufacturing (and what you really need to know). This is your chance to ask questions and walk away with steps you can apply right away!

what inventory? and where?

Inventory is more than items on shelves, in bins and on pallets. It’s your money sitting still. When inventory isn’t moving, neither is your cash flow. The key to unlocking efficiency lies in knowing how much you need and when you need it.

Many manufacturers rely on an ERP or finance system to handle purchasing and financial tracking. The problem? These systems rarely reflect real-time inventory usage. Many ERPs deduct (or decrement) inventory at the start or completion of a job. Neither works. If inventory is adjusted before production finishes, you end up with physical items still on the floor that appear to be gone from your system. If it’s adjusted only after completion, you risk thinking you have more inventory available than you actually do. Both scenarios lead to confusion, delays, and overbuying.

what you really need to know about your inventory

The single most important question you should be able to answer at any given moment is: Do we have what we need to do the work we have to do? That’s it. But to get to that answer, you need visibility. Not just what’s in stock, but what’s promised or in progress. We call this promised inventory – the materials you already have in stock right now that are spoken for by upcoming jobs. You may not have physically moved them yet from the shelves over to a work area, but they’re already committed and you know what job they’re going to be used on. Then there’s making inventory – the parts or assemblies you produce within your production process that you may use on a single job or reuse later, also known as WIP (work in progress). A strong MES solution should help you track both in real time.

questions to ask your vendors

When evaluating MES providers, you can quickly learn how advanced their inventory control capabilities are by asking a few key questions: 

General inventory questions:

•       Can I set aside inventory for specific jobs?
•       When does your system adjust my inventory levels for the items I’ve used in production?
•       How does your system handle scrap or waste?
•       Can your system track inventory we manufacture internally? 
•       When are my inventory levels updated for the items I’ve purchased or received?

And for those of you who work in regulated industries where traceability and serialization are key requirements, we would suggest a few more detailed questions.

For regulated industries (aerospace, medical device, etc.):

•       Can you track serialized inventory?
•       How do I know where I used a particular, serialized inventory piece in production?
•       Can I create serialized or lot-based inventory in your system?
•       Can your system provide a full part genealogy for traceability and compliance?

These questions help you separate vendors that simply “check the box” from those that truly understand how manufacturing operations work day to day.

a partner who understands production

The right MES isn’t just software, it’s a system that helps you bring order, accuracy, and visibility to every part of your production process. At CIMx, we work hand-in-hand with customers to uncover the root causes of inefficiency and build the right digital tools to solve them. If you recognize your own production challenges in any of the issues discussed here or throughout the series (or you’re just starting to explore what MES technology can do for you), let’s start a conversation. Connect with us or continue to read the series here to get more insights.

Takeaway: Before investing in an MES, make sure you're asking the right questions. The right vendor should do more than sell their software, they should be able to help you choose the solution that best fits your shop's goals and growth.  Reach out and ask us how we can help

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll cover the questions to ask about production scheduling. Subscribe down below to be updated as we explore this series!