What is the difference between IoT, MES and MOM?

MES (Manufacturing Execution System) is the traditional shop-floor control layer. MOM (Manufacturing Operations Management) is the broader category that includes MES plus quality, maintenance and inventory. Industrial IoT is the underlying connectivity that feeds data into both. CONTACT Elements for IoT is a modular MOM platform - you can start with shop-floor data collection and add MES, maintenance and analytics modules as needed.

What does CONTACT Elements for IoT actually do?

It connects your shop floor machines to your enterprise systems. Operators get guided digital work instructions on My Shopfloor. Real-time KPI dashboards show OEE, availability, productivity and quality across machines, lines and sites. Maintenance is synchronised with production schedules. All shop-floor data is captured for traceability and continuous improvement.

Can you connect legacy machines without modern PLCs?

Yes. We use a combination of OPC-UA, MQTT, edge gateways and direct PLC connectivity to bring data from legacy and modern equipment into one platform. For machines with no digital output we add manual operator input or sensor retrofits. The goal is one production truth across mixed fleets, not ripping out working equipment.

How long does an MES/IoT implementation take?

A focused first-phase implementation - one production line, OEE monitoring, basic dashboards - typically takes 8-12 weeks. A multi-line, multi-module deployment is 4-8 months. We deliberately recommend starting small and scaling, rather than a 12-month big-bang programme.

What measurable results can we expect from MES/IoT?

Typical first-12-month results from UK manufacturers we have implemented for: 25-50% manufacturing capacity increases, 30-40% reduction in unplanned downtime, 20-35% quality improvements, 15-25% cost reductions, 3.8x to 5.1x ROI within 18-30 months. Results depend on the maturity of your starting point.

The Challenge

What

Why

Resources

CONTACT Elements for IoT and MES - industrial IoT and manufacturing execution system for UK manufacturers

Your machines are talking. Are your systems listening?

Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) goes beyond traditional MES. It breaks the wall between enterprise IT and OT — so every department works from the same production truth. This turns shop floor signals into enterprise intelligence — connecting production, maintenance, and engineering in one platform.

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The Shop Floor Disconnect

The shop floor generates a wealth of data — process parameters, material consumption, manufacturing metrics — but without the right architecture, this data stays siloed and never reaches the teams that need it most.

72%

Lack Real-Time Visibility

Of manufacturers lack real-time visibility between enterprise systems and shop floor operations. — McKinsey

£1.3M

Annual Rework Cost

Of total revenue for leading manufacturers now comes from aftermarket services — spare parts, maintenance contracts, and upgrades — McKinsey

10+

Disconnected Systems

Average number of disconnected software systems on the shop floor — each creating data silos and manual workarounds — LNS Research

What CONTACT Elements for IoT Delivers

A modular platform that connects shop floor to top floor — start where you need to, expand at your own pace.

My Shopfloor

Intuitive operator UI delivering production plans, documents, and guided workflows directly to machine operators.

Production-relevant information at fingertips
Guided workflows and digital work instructions
Shopfloor and machine data collection

Real-Time KPI Dashboards

Extensive library of 100+ widgets for analysing production data — availability, effectiveness, productivity, and quality.

OEE, availability, and quality metrics
Cross-site benchmarking and comparison
Customisable dashboards per role

Maintenance Management

Synchronise maintenance slots and production planning for optimised asset availability and reduced downtime.

Preventive and predictive maintenance
Synchronised with production schedules
Audit-proof documentation and traceability

Why Choose Smart Manufacturing

No matter which stage of digitalisation you are in, we support your pace and develop a future-proof strategy together. Choose the solution that best aligns with your goals.

My Shopfloor

Intuitive UI for machine operators – production plans, documents, and guided workflows at their fingertips.

Shopfloor Data Collection

Automated machine data collection with optional manual operator input for complete production visibility.

Real-Time KPI Dashboards

Extensive library of 100+ widgets for analysing production data – availability, productivity, quality.

Maintenance Management

Synchronise maintenance slots and production planning for optimised asset availability.

Multi-Site Standardisation

Centrally specify standardised processes, KPIs, and maintenance measures across all production sites.

Audit-Proof Documentation

Complete traceability of Q-status, shift conditions, downtimes, and shopfloor operations

Automate Value Creation

Elements for IoT enables you to automate, accelerate, and standardize business processes involving industrial assets. Operational data allows you to efficiently control value-adding activities, eliminating delays from manual intermediate steps or system breaks.

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Your machines are talking. Are your systems listening?