The MES System is a very important tool in our production. The MES helps us to improve and grow fast.

The system has a fairly modern GUI, with about average ease of navigation (provided you know which section of the system has the module you need). For simple processes and checklists it works fine--check off your steps, get your UserID recorded, and complete a checklist. Some of the administration is intuitive, such as modifying datasets or assigning training certifications, but much of it is very interwoven, unintuitive, and extremely difficult to manage for a non-expert. Even our implementation consultants regularly had trouble and needed to look for guidance. To meet very basic needs in an MES, this system is probably overkill from the depth and breadth of configuration required for a standalone MES and/or CMMS. Similarly, for a company with the need for flexibility across products and processes running in the same areas or workstreams, or that regularly (i.e. every few months) need to revise their processes, Manufacturing Instructions, Batch Records, etc., I would steer clear of this system. It is not easy to manage unless you plan to have a team with in-depth knowledge of your production process staffed specifically for system management. That said, once set up it WILL generate data, though you may need to work a bit to get the reports you want. Note also that Critical Manufacturing does not staff their own implementation teams, you are required to work with 3rd party consultants.