The verdict in three sentences
A custom MES costs 70,000-150,000 EUR versus 2,000-5,000 EUR/month for an off-the-shelf MES, often rigid against shop-floor specifics. Custom is justified once your routings, quality checks and PLC connections leave the vendor standard. The requirements spec must prioritise ERP/PLC integration and real-time capture before reporting screens.
Custom MES vs off-the-shelf MES
The decision turns on fit to existing lines and sovereignty of production data.
| Criterion | Custom MES | Market MES |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 70,000 - 150,000 EUR | 20,000 - 80,000 EUR (integration) |
| Recurring cost | TMA 10-15%/yr | 2,000 - 5,000 EUR/month |
| Timeline | 18 - 28 weeks | 16 - 36 weeks |
| Fit to routings & checks | Total | Configurable, limited |
| 5-year cost | 140,000 - 240,000 EUR | 160,000 - 380,000 EUR |
| Sovereign hosting | Yes | Varies |
Beyond two non-standard production lines, configuring a market MES becomes as costly as a dedicated build.
What the requirements spec must contain
An MES spec structures the budget by brick and integration. Here are 2026 ranges per lot.
| Functional brick | Range (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling & work-order tracking | 16,000 - 32,000 | 5 - 7 wks |
| PLC capture (OPC-UA/Modbus) | 14,000 - 30,000 | 4 - 7 wks |
| Quality control & non-conformities | 10,000 - 22,000 | 4 - 6 wks |
| OEE calculation & dashboards | 8,000 - 16,000 | 3 - 4 wks |
| Traceability & product genealogy | 12,000 - 26,000 | 4 - 6 wks |
| ERP integration (SAP, Sage X3) | 10,000 - 24,000 | 4 - 6 wks |
Sovereign hosting (OVH/Scaleway or on-premise) adds 150-500 EUR/month, often required for sensitive industrial data.
Mini case study
Sophie, industrial director of a 130-person mid-cap near Grenoble, runs 4 lines on a rigid MES that does not compute real-time OEE. She invests 118,000 EUR in a custom MES with PLC capture, quality control and OEE. Over 12 months: OEE up 11 points (about 9% capacity gained), 6% less scrap (~64,000 EUR of material) and automated production reporting. Combined gains: ~140,000 EUR/year. Payback lands at 11 months, including 14,000 EUR/year maintenance.
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FAQ
How much does a custom MES cost in 2026?
Between 70,000 and 150,000 EUR depending on line and integration count. A work-order + OEE core can start around 55,000 EUR.
How to structure the requirements spec?
Prioritise PLC capture and work-order tracking, then quality and OEE. Each brick must list protocols (OPC-UA, Modbus) and expected ERP flows.
What is the deployment timeline?
18 to 28 weeks. A first instrumented line with real-time OEE can go live in 10-12 weeks.
Can existing PLCs be connected?
Yes, via OPC-UA or Modbus for most PLCs (Siemens, Schneider). Integration runs 14,000-30,000 EUR depending on machine count.
Does data stay sovereign?
Yes, on OVH/Scaleway or on-premise hosting, with encryption and network segmentation. It is often an industrial-management and GDPR requirement.
Let's scope your project. Send us your lines, PLCs and OEE targets, and we will quote a phased MES core and an ERP integration plan. 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.
