Design of an Open-Source MES Platform with an Add-On Marketplace

Project Overview

The project “Design of an Open-Source MES Platform with an Add-On Marketplace” aimed to develop a modular Manufacturing Execution System (MES) platform specifically targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector.

The main areas of focus were:

  • Market and competitive analysis of the MES market
  • design of a modular software architecture
  • development of a platform business model
  • integration of an add-on marketplace

Initial Situation

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) play a central role in digital production and serve as an interface between ERP systems and the automation level.

However, the market is characterized by:

  • highly generalized solutions
  • high complexity of existing systems
  • a strong focus on large enterprises
  • limited modularity
  • insufficient specialization for SMEs

Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular face challenges related to:

  • costs
  • implementation effort
  • limited flexibility
  • lack of adaptability

Approach & Methodology

The project was carried out as part of the course “Analysis of Business Processes and Design of IT Systems (A&K)” at the University of Potsdam.

The methodological approach included:

  • market analysis (including a Competitive Intelligence approach)
  • target group analysis with a focus on SMEs in the DACH region
  • SWOT analysis
  • development of an overall strategic concept
  • design of the software architecture
  • development of a platform business model
  • conducting and evaluating a survey in the MES environment

The platform requirements were based, among other sources, on the VDI 5600 guideline.

Key Findings

The market analysis and survey results showed:

  • high relevance of data collection, quality management, and detailed production planning
  • price, functionality, and quality as the most important purchasing criteria
  • preference for a subscription-based business model
  • strong demand for modular and flexibly integrable systems
  • growth potential in the SME segment of the DACH region

At the same time, it became apparent that many existing systems:

  • operate as isolated solutions
  • cause media discontinuities
  • are insufficiently integrated
  • have high barriers to entry

Target Concept & Results

Based on the analysis, an open-source MES platform was designed with the following core elements:

  • modular architecture with flexibly combinable functional modules
  • add-on marketplace for external developers
  • centralized data foundation
  • support for key MES functional areas (incl. order management, data collection, quality management, detailed production planning, energy management)
  • platform business model based on a subscription structure

The add-on marketplace enables:

  • development of custom modules
  • monetization of third-party extensions
  • a service-fee model
  • development of an ecosystem

Added Value & Knowledge Transfer

The project demonstrates how methods from business informatics can be successfully combined:

  • strategic market analysis
  • business model development
  • software architecture design
  • platform economics

The developed platform specifically addresses SMEs in the manufacturing sector within the DACH region and offers:

  • high flexibility
  • scalability
  • cost transparency
  • innovation potential through open extensibility

The project therefore contributes to the digital transformation of manufacturing in the context of Industry 4.0.