I have seen large companies stress over which software package or suite they are going to standardize on for months. For the ERP system they may choose Manhattan Associates, MFG/PRO, or Peoplesoft. At an MES level the question may be Iconics, Simatic IT, or Cimplicity. At the plant floor level they will agonize on whether to use PC based control (such as SteeplechaseVLC) or a traditional PLC approach, whether Rockwell, Siemens, or Mitsubishi.

Often, these same companies will spend months of time and resources to select a package, then select an integration partner in a couple of days with limited research and limited due diligence, thereby treating the integration as a commodity.  Take this as gospel:  this solution is going to come off poorly unless properly integrated.

The Package Supplier is often not a good resource as the common sales pitch is “our stuff is so easy, anyone can program it,” or “we have our own integration team” (which mean they will charge 50% more for personnel who has 50% less experience and will never address or use any other solutions to work around the shortcomings that any package has).

An independent systems integrator is the key to your program being successful. If you are looking at the MES and plant floor level, I would highly suggest using a certified control systems integrator. By being certified, the company has been audited to ensure that they are meeting the best practices and benchmarks of the CSIA. The CSIA puts out a great resource for companies that will be selecting and working with an integrator. The document is completely free and titled “Guide for Selecting and Working with a Control Systems Integrator”

A good Integration partner will be concerned about your overall success as well as the success of the project. They will understand the need for the ERP, MES, and Floor Level Systems to appear seamless and support all phases of the business. Often the good integration partner will question and suggest ways to improve the business. They will also document the planned system before any code is written through means of a detailed functional specification.

Good Luck on your next project, and remember selecting the right integration partner is as important or more important than selecting the package.