MES Matters with Matt Barber

Welcome to another episode of the IT/OT Insider Podcast. Today, we’re diving into the world of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) with Matt Barber, VP & GM MES at Infor. With over 15 years of experience, Matt has helped companies worldwide implement MES solutions, and he’s now on a mission to educate the world about MES through his website, MESMatters.com .

MES is a topic that sparks a lot of debate, confusion, and, in many cases, hesitation. Where does it fit in a manufacturing tech stack? How does it relate to ERP, Planning Systems, Quality Systems, or industrial data platforms? And what’s the real difference between MES and MOM?

These are exactly the questions we’re tackling today.

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MES vs. MOM: What’s the Difference?

Matt opens the discussion by addressing one of the misconceptions in the industry-what actually defines an MES, and how it differs from MOM.

"An MES is a specific type of application that focuses on production-related activities-starting and stopping production orders, tracking downtime, recording scrap, and calculating OEE. That’s the core of MES."

But MOM is broader. It extends beyond production into quality management, inventory tracking, and maintenance. MOM isn’t a single application but rather a framework that connects multiple operational functions.

Many MES vendors include some MOM capabilities, but few solutions cover all aspects of production, quality, inventory, and maintenance in one system. That’s why companies need to carefully evaluate what they need when selecting a solution.

How Do Companies Start with MES?

Not every company wakes up one day and decides, “We need MES.” The journey often starts with a single pain point-a need for OEE tracking, real-time visibility, or better quality control.

Matt outlines two main approaches:

* Step-by-step approach

* Companies start with a single use case, such as tracking downtime and production efficiency.

* Once they see value, they expand into areas like quality control, inventory tracking, or maintenance scheduling.

* This approach minimizes risk and allows for quick wins.

* Enterprise-wide standardization

* Larger companies often take a broader approach, aiming to standardize MES across all sites.

* The goal is to ensure consistent processes, better data integration, and a unified system for all operators.

* While it requires more planning and investment, it creates a cohesive manufacturing strategy.

Both approaches are valid, but Matt emphasizes that even if companies start small, they should have a long-term vision of how MES will fit into their broader Industry 4.0 strategy.

The Role of OEE in MES

OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) is one of the most common starting points for MES discussions. It measures how much good production output a company achieves compared to its theoretical maximum.

The three key factors:

* Availability – How much time machines were available for production.

* Performance – How efficiently the machines ran during that time.

* Quality – How much of the output met quality standards.

"You don’t necessarily need an MES to track OEE. Some companies do it in spreadsheets or standalone IoT platforms. But if you want real-time OEE tracking that integrates with production orders, material usage, and quality data, MES is the natural solution."

People and Process: The Hardest Part of MES Implementation

One of the biggest challenges in MES projects isn’t the technology-it’s people and process change.

Matt shares a common issue:

"Operators often have their own way of doing things. They know how to work around inefficiencies. But when an MES system is introduced, it enforces a standardized way of working, and that’s where resistance can come in."

To make MES adoption successful, companies must:

* Get leadership buy-in – A clear vision from the top ensures the project gets the necessary resources and support.

* Engage operators early – Including shop floor workers in the process design increases adoption and usability.

* Define clear roles – Having global MES champions and local site super-users ensures both standardization and flexibility.

"You can have the best MES system in the world, but if no one uses it, it’s worthless."

How the MES Market is Changing

MES has been around for decades, but the industry is evolving rapidly. Matt highlights three major trends:

* The rise of configurable MES

* Historically, MES projects required custom coding and long implementation times.

* Now, companies like Infor are offering out-of-the-box, configurable MES platforms that can be set up in days instead of months.

* Companies that offer configurable OTB applications (like Infor) are able to offer quick prototyping for manufacturing processes, ensuring customers benefit from agility and quick value realisation.

* The split between cloud-based MES and on-premise solutions

* Many legacy MES systems were designed to run on-premise with deep integrations to shop floor equipment.

* However, cloud-based MES is growing, especially in multi-site enterprises that need centralized management and analytics.

* Matt recognises the importance of cloud based applications, but highlights that there will always be at least a small on-premise part of the architecture for connecting to machines and other shopfloor equipment.

* MES vs. the rise of “build-it-yourself” platforms

* Some smaller manufacturers opt for the “do-it-yourself” approach, creating their own MES-Light applications by layering in various technologies and software platforms.

* This trend is more common in smaller manufacturers that need flexibility and are comfortable developing their own industrial applications.

* However, for enterprise-wide standardization, an OTB configurable MES platform provides the best scalability and consistency, and the most advanced platforms allow end-users to configure it themselves through master data, reports, and dashboards.

MES and Industrial Data Platforms

A big topic in manufacturing today is the role of data platforms. Should MES be the central hub for all manufacturing data, or should it feed into an enterprise-wide data lake?

Matt explains the shift:

"Historically, MES data was stored inside MES and maybe shared with ERP. But now, with the rise of AI and advanced analytics, manufacturers want all their industrial data in one place, accessible for enterprise-wide insights."

This has led to two key changes:

* MES systems are increasingly required to push data into (industrial) data platforms.

* Companies are focusing on data contextualization, ensuring that production data, quality data, and maintenance data are all aligned for deeper analysis.

"MES is still critical, but it’s no longer just an execution layer-it’s a key source of contextualized data for AI and machine learning."

Where to Start with MES

For companies considering MES, Matt offers some practical advice:

* Understand your industry needs – Different MES solutions are better suited for different industries (food & beverage, automotive, pharma, etc.).

* Start with a clear business case – Whether it’s reducing downtime, improving quality, or optimizing material usage, have a clear goal.

* Choose between out-of-the-box vs. build-your-own – Large enterprises may benefit from standardized MES, while smaller companies might prefer DIY industrial platforms.

* Don’t ignore change management – Successful MES projects require strong collaboration between IT, OT, and shop floor operators.

"It’s hard. But it’s worth it."

Final Thoughts

MES is evolving faster than ever, blending traditional execution functions with modern cloud analytics. Whether companies take a step-by-step or enterprise-wide approach, MES remains a critical piece of the smart manufacturing puzzle.

For more MES insights, check out mesmatters.com or Matt’s LinkedIn page, and don’t forget to subscribe to IT/OT Insider for the latest discussions on bridging IT and OT.

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