The verdict in three sentences
A real-time production dashboard collects machine data and displays OEE, scrap and cycle rates line by line, on shop-floor screens and mobile. In 2026, a project costs between 20,000 and 60,000 EUR over a 3-to-6-month timeline, often as the first brick before a full MES. The immediate gain comes from stoppage detection and micro-stops previously invisible, for a productivity gain of 5 to 10 %.
What the dashboard measures
The value of a shop-floor dashboard rests on collection quality: PLCs via OPC-UA, add-on sensors or operator entry. You then display actionable KPIs and alerts that trigger a reaction before losses pile up.
| Shop-floor KPI | Source | Typical 2026 alert |
|---|---|---|
| OEE per line | PLCs / counting | < 65 % for 30 min |
| Scrap rate | Quality station | > 3 % on a batch |
| Instant cycle rate | Cycle sensor | Gap > 15 % vs target |
| Stoppage duration | Auto detection | Stop > 10 min undeclared |
| Work-order progress | ERP / entry | Delay > 1 h vs schedule |
| Changeover time | Timing | > defined SMED target |
Budget and productivity return
Cost depends on the number of machines to connect, their age and the display scope (shop floor, supervisors, management). The return reads in production hours recovered and scrap avoided.
| Item | 2026 range | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Machine collection / connection | 6,000 - 20,000 EUR | Data reliability |
| Visualization application | 8,000 - 22,000 EUR | Shop-floor reading |
| Real-time alert system | 3,000 - 10,000 EUR | Fast reaction |
| Screens & shop-floor rollout | 2,000 - 8,000 EUR | On-site display |
| Training & steering rituals | 1,000 - 5,000 EUR | Adoption |
Mini case study
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Karim, industrial director of a food-processing plant in Rennes, equips 3 lines with a real-time dashboard for 42,000 EUR. Before, micro-stops went untracked; after 4 months, analysis reveals 6 % of time lost to short stoppages. By tackling the top three causes, productivity gains 7 % on those lines. On a production value of 3.5M EUR, that's roughly 245,000 EUR of recovered capacity per year, plus a 1.2-point scrap drop. The project pays back in under 3 months (2026 order-of-magnitude estimate).
FAQ
Is this the same as an MES? No. The dashboard is a visualization-and-alert brick; an MES adds full work-order control, scheduling and traceability. You often start with the dashboard for a fast return.
What's the minimum number of machines to connect? No minimum, but you first target bottleneck lines or those costliest to stop. A 1-to-3-line pilot proves value in weeks.
Do I need to replace the PLCs? Rarely. Modern PLCs speak OPC-UA; for older ones, a counting box or operator entry suffices, between 500 and 2,000 EUR per station.
Will operators adopt the tool? Yes, if the display is simple and alerts serve action, not surveillance. Short rituals (a 5-minute team huddle) anchor usage.
Can the dashboard grow into an MES? Yes, that's the recommended path: the collection already in place becomes the MES foundation, cutting the cost of the next phase.
Let's scope your project. Tell us how many lines you want to monitor and the age of your machines: we'll price a real-time dashboard between 20,000 and 60,000 EUR, extensible to an MES. 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.
