Critical Manufacturing vs Siemens MES

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Our analysts compared Critical Manufacturing vs Siemens MES based on data from our 400+ point analysis of MES Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Critical Manufacturing is a cloud-based, modular system enabling discrete manufacturing companies to improve performance and digitize with analytics and configurable tools. A single, integrated window for production data helps users make better-informed decisions.

Its standout features include closed-loop quality management, digital twin and factory automation capabilities. Integrate with an IIoT-enabled workplace to create seamless smart factories. Users can create and implement a baseline at multiple sites to standardize production.
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Siemens MES is a web-based manufacturing application that helps with scheduling, document control, product history, quality control management and process orchestration. It gives users the ability to see live process data from all levels of the organization, improving the quality and efficiency of processes.

As a cross-industry platform, it can be installed with limited scope or as a complete system and customized based on requirements. Users can manage multiple sites and integrate with product development and business management systems.
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Product Assistance

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Product Insights

  • Simplified User Experience: Create functional user interfaces and personalized process views without complex coding. 
  • Flexible Scalability: Scale software requirements according to operational needs. Select a pricing model based on size and growth. 
  • Accessibility: Work from anywhere by connecting to dashboards remotely via any web-based interface. Access documents and enforce processes on mobile devices. 
  • Quick Implementation: Finish server-side installation in minutes. Rollout features, in addition to current infrastructure, without client installation. 
  • Increased Accountability: Log products, components and materials with complete traceability, backward and forward. 
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  • Increased Efficiency: Siemens MES streamlines manufacturing processes, reducing manual data entry and errors. This leads to a more efficient production line, where tasks are completed faster and with greater accuracy.
  • Improved Quality Control: With real-time monitoring and analysis, Siemens MES identifies quality issues early, allowing for immediate correction. This ensures products meet stringent quality standards, reducing waste and rework.
  • Enhanced Decision Making: By providing comprehensive data and analytics, Siemens MES equips managers with the insights needed to make informed decisions quickly, improving overall operational effectiveness.
  • Reduced Downtime: Predictive maintenance capabilities of Siemens MES foresee equipment failures before they occur, scheduling repairs at the most opportune times and thus minimizing unplanned downtime.
  • Greater Flexibility: Siemens MES adapts to various manufacturing environments and processes, offering scalable solutions that grow with your business, ensuring long-term sustainability and adaptability.
  • Compliance Assurance: The software helps manufacturers comply with industry standards and regulations by providing detailed records of production processes and quality control measures.
  • Cost Reduction: By optimizing production processes and reducing waste, Siemens MES significantly lowers manufacturing costs, contributing to a healthier bottom line.
  • Real-Time Visibility: Offering a bird's-eye view of the entire production floor, Siemens MES enables managers to monitor operations in real-time, identifying bottlenecks and optimizing workflow on the fly.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitating better communication between departments, Siemens MES ensures that all parts of the organization are aligned, leading to smoother operations and faster problem resolution.
  • Scalable Solutions: Siemens MES is designed to support manufacturing operations of all sizes, providing scalable solutions that can be customized to meet the specific needs of each facility.
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  • Factory Management: Track containers and modify material paths. Use the modular system to create checklists with criteria and design reports. 
  • Planning and Scheduling: Create individual schedules to improve people and resource usage. Set multiple weighted parameters to optimize production KPIs. 
  • Visual Insights: Monitor shop floor operations, access historical data and create a digital twin of factory operations with fabLIVE’s 3D visual insights. 
  • Quality Control: Set time and counter-based sampling from configurable contexts. Define exception protocols and use statistical process control for quality improvement. 
  • Visibility Tracking: Set notification alerts for tasks requiring attention. View complete product history and trace task priority changes. 
  • Operations Optimization: Manage order, labor, maintenance, recipe and warehouse workflows simultaneously. Utilize cost absorption for live shopfloor expense control. 
  • Vertical and Horizontal Integration: Integrate IoT with equipment and automations. Implement a baseline standard across plants. Share information with suppliers and customers for a smart supply chain. 
  • Advanced Analysis: Monitor live plant performance metrics and take preemptive measures. Compare preventative analytics and utilize data mining algorithms like time series and decision trees. 
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  • Data Collection: Access real-time production, equipment and materials data. Track process and operation updates. 
  • Paperless Manufacturing: Create and enforce electronic work instructions. Digitize and record workflows. 
  • Production Tracking: Monitor job status information and work set-up, including assigned personnel, production conditions and exceptions. Record production data for complete traceability of components. 
  • Labor Management: Manage and allocate workloads between operators based on skillset. Log time and works-in-progress for task optimization. 
  • Maintenance Management: Create pre-set limits to ensure maintenance requirements are met. Optimize asset performance with activity history and analysis. 
  • Performance Analysis: Optimize performance with SPC and SQC analysis. Monitor resource usage and schedule adherence. 
  • Scheduling: Automate scheduling based on production rules and task priority sequencing. Accommodate for limited resources, alternative operations, equipment load and shift patterns. 
  • Process Management: Track serial numbers, batch identifiers and defects for decision support and process monitoring. Flag problems and execute rework processes. 
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Product Ranking

#3

among all
MES Software

#25

among all
MES Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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63
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76
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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Critical Manufacturing
Siemens MES
+ Add Product + Add Product
Mobile Product And Parts Tracking Production Definition And Monitoring Production Dispatch And Execution Quality Management Reports And Dashboards Resources Management 0 76 43 67 43 81 63 0 60 63 100 89 93 74 0 25 50 75 100
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

83%
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8%
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User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 27 reviews
Great User Sentiment 57 reviews
98%
of users recommend this product

Critical Manufacturing has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 98% when considering 27 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

83%
of users recommend this product

Siemens MES has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 83% when considering 57 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

n/a
3.4 (4)
4.9 (27)
4.2 (53)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Critical Manufacturing and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Integration and Extensibility. Critical Manufacturing stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Integration and Extensibility Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Siemens MES and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Production Dispatch and Execution and Quality Management.

Production Dispatch and Execution Award
Quality Management Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Flexibility and Adaptability: Critical Manufacturing's platform caters to diverse manufacturing environments and readily adapts to evolving needs, accommodating various production processes and levels of complexity. The system's modular design empowers users to select and implement the specific functionalities that align with their unique requirements, ensuring a tailored solution that optimizes operations.
Data-Driven Insights and Analytics: Critical Manufacturing excels in data acquisition and analysis, equipping manufacturers with comprehensive insights into their production processes. The platform facilitates informed decision-making by offering real-time visibility into key performance indicators (KPIs), production trends, and areas for improvement. Advanced analytics tools empower users to identify patterns, optimize processes, and enhance overall efficiency.
Scalability and Growth: Critical Manufacturing's MES solution is designed to scale alongside businesses as they expand and evolve. The platform's architecture supports seamless integration with additional modules and functionalities, enabling manufacturers to adapt to changing market demands and accommodate growth without compromising performance or stability.
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Comprehensive Functionality: Siemens MES offers a wide range of features that cover various aspects of manufacturing operations, including production scheduling, quality management, and performance analysis. This comprehensive functionality allows users to manage and optimize their entire production process within a single system.
Scalability and Flexibility: The system is highly scalable and can be adapted to meet the specific needs of different manufacturing environments. Whether it's a small workshop or a large-scale production facility, Siemens MES can be configured to support the unique requirements of the operation.
Integration Capabilities: Siemens MES seamlessly integrates with other enterprise systems, such as ERP and PLM, enabling a smooth flow of data across the organization. This integration eliminates data silos and provides a holistic view of manufacturing operations.
Industry Expertise: Siemens has extensive experience in the manufacturing industry, and their MES solution reflects this expertise. The system is designed to address the specific challenges and requirements of various manufacturing sectors, providing users with industry-specific best practices and solutions.
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Usability Challenges: Critical Manufacturing may present a steep learning curve for new users due to its extensive functionalities and complex interface. This complexity can lead to a longer onboarding process and potentially require additional training investments for teams to become proficient.
Customization Complexity: While Critical Manufacturing offers a high degree of customization, implementing and managing these customizations can be technically demanding. Organizations with limited IT resources or those seeking rapid deployment might find this aspect challenging.
Resource Requirements: As a comprehensive MES solution, Critical Manufacturing may necessitate more significant hardware and software resources compared to simpler systems. This could potentially lead to higher upfront costs and ongoing maintenance expenses for organizations.
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Complexity: The system can be overly complex, especially for smaller businesses or those with simpler manufacturing processes. This complexity can lead to a steep learning curve and ongoing challenges with configuration and maintenance.
Cost: Siemens MES solutions can be expensive to implement and maintain, particularly for organizations with limited budgets. The costs associated with software licenses, hardware, implementation services, and ongoing support can be significant.
Customization Challenges: While Siemens MES offers customization options, tailoring the system to specific needs can be time-consuming and require specialized expertise. This can lead to delays in implementation and increased costs.
Integration Issues: Integrating Siemens MES with existing enterprise systems, such as ERP or PLM software, can be complex and require additional effort. Compatibility issues and data synchronization challenges can arise during integration.
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Critical Manufacturing seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, offering a robust set of features but also coming with some drawbacks that might make you think twice. Users rave about Critical Manufacturing's ease of use, scalability, and flexibility. It's like the Swiss Army knife of manufacturing software – it can handle a wide range of tasks, from production planning and scheduling to quality control and traceability. This makes it a great choice for businesses of all sizes, whether you're a small startup or a large multinational corporation. However, there's a catch – Critical Manufacturing comes with a hefty price tag, and it doesn't always play nicely with other systems. This can be a dealbreaker for some businesses, especially those on a tight budget or with complex IT infrastructures. So, who is Critical Manufacturing best suited for? If you're looking for a powerful and flexible manufacturing software platform and you're willing to pay a premium for it, then Critical Manufacturing is definitely worth considering. It's particularly well-suited for businesses with complex manufacturing processes that require a high degree of control and visibility. However, if you're on a tight budget or you need a system that integrates seamlessly with other software, you might want to look elsewhere.

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Siemens MES is a manufacturing execution system (MES) software that helps manufacturers optimize their production processes. Users appreciate its ability to provide a comprehensive view of production data, enabling informed decision-making and improved efficiency. The software's integration capabilities with other systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and product lifecycle management (PLM), are also highlighted as a significant advantage. This integration allows for seamless data flow and collaboration across different departments, streamlining operations and reducing errors. Additionally, Siemens MES is praised for its scalability, making it suitable for both small and large manufacturing enterprises. However, some users note the software's cost as a potential drawback, especially for smaller businesses with limited budgets. Implementation complexity can also be a challenge, requiring careful planning and potentially additional resources. Compared to other MES solutions, Siemens MES stands out with its strong focus on quality management and compliance. The software offers features such as closed-loop quality control and digital twin capabilities, ensuring adherence to industry standards and regulations. This is particularly important for manufacturers in highly regulated industries, such as medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, Siemens MES provides robust traceability and genealogy functionalities, enabling manufacturers to track the history of each product and its components. This is crucial for identifying and resolving quality issues, as well as meeting regulatory requirements. Siemens MES is best suited for manufacturers seeking a comprehensive and scalable MES solution with a strong emphasis on quality management and compliance. Its integration capabilities and advanced features make it an ideal choice for complex manufacturing environments, particularly in industries with stringent regulatory requirements. However, businesses should carefully consider the cost and implementation complexity before making a decision.

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