The verdict in three sentences
For an industrial SME, a production management software (MES/planning) in SaaS mode costs 40 to 120 EUR/user/month and deploys in 2 to 4 months. A custom build runs 50,000 - 150,000 EUR but integrates tightly with your machines and ERP. The real return comes from fewer rejects, improved OEE and on-time delivery, not the software itself.
SaaS MES or custom: the comparison
Standard vendors (cloud MES, packaged production planning) cover 80% of common needs. Custom is justified when your process is atypical, when you connect specific machines (OPC-UA, PLCs), or when per-user licensing becomes prohibitive beyond 30-40 accounts.
| Criterion | SaaS MES | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 40-120 EUR/user/month | 50,000-150,000 EUR |
| 5-year cost (25 users) | 90,000-210,000 EUR | 70,000-190,000 EUR |
| Go-live | 2-4 months | 4-9 months |
| Machine connection | Limited/paid module | Custom (OPC-UA) |
| Customization | Configuration | Full |
| Vendor lock-in | High | Low (code delivered) |
| Evolutions | Vendor roadmap | On demand |
What the scope really covers
An honest MES specification separates the essential core from options that inflate the bill. Here are the modules and their indicative budget weight in a custom build.
| Module | Function | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Work orders | Launch, scheduling, BOMs | 12,000-25,000 EUR |
| Real-time shop floor | Clocking, OEE, incidents | 10,000-22,000 EUR |
| Materials & WIP stock | Reservation, lot tracing | 8,000-18,000 EUR |
| Planning/scheduling | Machine load, bottlenecks | 10,000-30,000 EUR |
| ERP/accounting integration | Orders, purchasing API | 6,000-15,000 EUR |
| Machine connection | OPC-UA, IoT sensors | 8,000-25,000 EUR |
| Reporting/quality | Rejects, non-conformities | 5,000-12,000 EUR |
Mini case study
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Marc runs a precision-machining SME in Berlin: 28 operators, 2M EUR annual output, OEE measured at 62%. Moving to a custom MES at 95,000 EUR connected to 6 machines, he gains 8 OEE points (from 62% to 70%), i.e. roughly 260,000 EUR of added capacity valued at 120,000 EUR of margin. Rejects drop from 4.2% to 2.8%, saving 28,000 EUR/year in material. Payback in under 10 months, before any commercial lead-time gains.
FAQ
Do I need an ERP before an MES? No, but the two must talk: budget 6,000 to 15,000 EUR of API integration to sync orders, purchasing and stock with an existing ERP.
Is SaaS cheaper long term? Not always. Beyond 25-30 users over 5 years, the subscription often exceeds an amortized custom build, especially once you add billed modules.
How long to deploy? A well-configured SaaS starts in 2-4 months; a custom build wired to machines takes 4-9 months depending on the number of interfaces.
Can old machines be connected? Yes, via IoT gateways or an OPC-UA bridge; budget 8,000 to 25,000 EUR depending on the fleet and protocol.
What reject reduction can I expect? A 1 to 2 point drop in reject rate is common in the first year, often enough to fund part of the project.
Let's scope your project. Describe your shop floor (workstations, machines to connect, current ERP) and target budget: we frame a realistic MES/planning scope. 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.
