The verdict in three sentences
A custom MES costs between EUR 80,000 and EUR 200,000 in Berlin in 2026, with machine/IoT data capture and traceability being the heaviest items. The gain reads in a single indicator: +10 to +20 OEE points thanks to real-time work-order tracking and downtime analysis. For a site of 30 to 150 operators, the investment pays back in 18 to 24 months.
What a custom MES costs in Berlin
Cost depends on the number of connected machines, traceability depth and ERP/MRP integrations. 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Module | Indicative cost (EUR) | IoT / connection | Main gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work-order tracking | 20,000 - 42,000 | Shop-floor entry | Real-time WO steering |
| Machine data / IoT | 25,000 - 55,000 | Sensors + gateways | Automatic data |
| OEE dashboard | 12,000 - 28,000 | Auto calc | +10-20 OEE pts |
| Traceability (lots, materials) | 15,000 - 35,000 | Scan + genealogy | Targeted recall |
| Quality / non-conformity | 10,000 - 24,000 | Mobile entry | -defects |
| ERP/MRP integration | 14,000 - 30,000 | - | Synced flows |
Full project delivered in batches over 8 to 14 months, with machine capture usually phased line by line.
Custom or off-the-shelf MES?
| Criterion | Off-the-shelf MES | Custom MES |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 cost | EUR 30,000 - 90,000 | EUR 80,000 - 200,000 |
| Year 3 cost (cumulative) | EUR 60,000 - 200,000 | EUR 80,000 - 215,000 |
| Fit to machines | Depends on connectors | On your fleet |
| OEE calculation | Standard | On your rules |
| Fine traceability | Variable | Full genealogy |
| Data ownership | Shared | Total |
Beyond 3 years, custom becomes competitive while adapting to your heterogeneous machine fleet, often impossible to cover off-the-shelf.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Laurent, industrial director of a precision engineering site in Berlin, runs 14 machines and 65 operators. His OEE is stuck at 62 %, with poorly documented stoppages. He invests EUR 165,000 in a custom MES (work orders, machine capture, OEE, traceability, quality).
Outcome over 18 months: OEE rises from 62 % to 74 % (+12 points), i.e. extra production capacity worth roughly ~EUR 1.1M in revenue without new equipment; full traceability cuts non-conformity costs by ~EUR 55,000/year. The investment amortises in under 18 months.
FAQ
What is the minimum budget to start an MES? Budget EUR 45,000 to 60,000 for a work-order tracking + OEE dashboard core, before adding IoT machine capture.
Must all machines be connected at once? No: phase by priority line or shop, spreading the IoT investment and letting you measure the OEE gain before scaling.
What real OEE gain to expect? Real-time tracking and downtime analysis typically deliver +10 to +20 points of OEE over 12-18 months.
Does the MES integrate with our ERP/MRP? Yes: SAP, or an in-house MRP, integrate natively, with synced work orders, materials and production declarations.
How long to implement? A first usable batch in 4 months; full project in 8 to 14 months depending on the number of connected machines.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your machine fleet, current OEE and ERP: we will price the highest-ROI scope (indicative budget EUR 80,000-200,000) and a line-by-line rollout. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
