ABB Manufacturing Execution System vs qcadoo MES

ABB Manufacturing Execution System coordinates manufacturing processes and gives operators, supervisors, production engineers, and plant managers information related to productivity, quality, and flexibility. Production order management covers order and production buffers, workflow, and automatic routing mapped from ERP. Scheduling follows ISA-95 and B2MML data exchange and provides visual Gantt charts with manual or automatic modes. The quality module supports parameter management, manual or automatic data collection, product test certificates, in-process controls, tolerance validation, non-conformity reporting, and checklists. Listed ERP connections include SAP, ERP LN, Baan, IBM Maximo, and other systems, with interfaces such as ODBC, OLE DB, web services, XML, OPC, and TCP/IP. Equipment connections include barcode scanners and printers, weighing scales, automated guided vehicles, PLC-based equipment, and Siemens automated production lines. ABB lists applications across industries including food and beverage, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, metals, mining, oil and gas, and pulp and paper. For pharmaceutical and life sciences solutions, ABB describes full-scope coverage according to GAMP5 and FDA 21 CFR Part 11. Pricing is available on request; ABB directs prospective buyers to contact the company or a channel partner.

qcadoo MES manages production for small and medium-sized manufacturers, from order planning and raw-material checks to shop-floor tracking and production cost accounting. The product family includes MES for execution, APS for planning and scheduling, and WMS for warehouse management; modules may be introduced together or separately. MES supports production orders, dashboards, work cards, and guides, while materials functions cover stock checks, supplier requests and orders, delivery tracking, and subcontractors. It can register and reserve material and product batches, track product batches, and show production genealogy. Shop-floor reports can capture progress through terminals, barcodes, work cards, and warehouse documents. The cloud service is accessed through a browser and internet connection; the maker also offers an AGPL-licensed Community Edition for customer-server deployment. A free 30-day demo is available after contacting the company or submitting its form. Paid plans include BASIC for 5 licenses at €220 a month, billed monthly, or €195 a year, billed annually; OPTIMAL for 5 licenses is €270 a month or €245 a year, respectively.