Mar 14, 2025 Antje Middelberg
ShareDigital technologies enable industry to produce more efficiently, cost-effectively, sustainably, and on schedule. They are key levers to manage the complexity of variant-rich manufacturing – and to strengthen competitiveness.
Digitalization is no longer optional. But how can it be implemented effectively? A central question is the choice of appropriate software tools. Two strategies are at play: Best‑of‑Suite or Best‑of‑Breed.
Anyone who deals with the digitalization of industrial production will encounter a variety of software solutions: from all-in-one platforms covering multiple domains, to specialized Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) tools, all the way to Big Data and AI applications.
The market shows two main digitalization strategies:
The strength of the best-of-suite approach lies in its standardization: A comprehensive solution lowers implementation, maintenance, and training efforts, while simplifying coordination with software providers. Users benefit from a unified environment without complex integrations.
However, in industrial production, where many functional areas are closely interconnected, specialized solutions are often the more effective choice:
Product development and work preparation (PLM system)
While ERP and PLM systems may offer partial MES functionalities, they typically fall short of covering all production processes effectively. Production planning often requires a dedicated APS tool to enable precise production scheduling.
Another disadvantage of the best-of-suite approach is the risk of vendor lock-in: If a company chooses a provider that covers large parts of the process, a potential dependency arises. Changing systems is expensive and complex, which weakens the negotiating position with the provider.
Conclusion: The best-of-breed approach offers greater flexibility in manufacturing. Companies can tailor their digital ecosystem to their individual needs, integrate technologies gradually, and deploy specialized software in a targeted manner. If appropriate interfaces and integrations are considered from the outset, end-to-end digital processes can be realized.
Digitalization succeeds when production planning and execution are viewed as a single unit. Isolated solutions with poor integration lead to inefficiencies. The greatest value comes from combining specialized tools effectively.
One example is combining FELIOS with CONTACT Elements for IoT.
FELIOS is our APS solution designed to support companies with complex manufacturing processes. It forms the bridge between the shop floor and upstream areas such as design, purchasing and assembly.
With FELIOS, demand-based production plans can be created, considering material availability, machine capacity, and resources. Detailed planning increases efficiency and adherence to deadlines, saves costs, and avoids additional logistics efforts. This also increases customer satisfaction.
APS systems such as FELIOS differ from generic ERP planning modules in their depth of functionality, which often plan against unlimited capacities and do not include essential production factors.
Elements for IoT offers classic MES functionality but goes far beyond. It enables enterprise-wide data exchange between ERP, PLM, and other systems. Companies capture manufacturing data in real time and use it for process improvements, for example, through digital twins.
The software connects enterprise IT with OT data from the shop floor and follows the Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) approach. Elements for IoT doesn't provide detailed planning; it relies on optimized production plans from an APS system such as FELIOS.
How do companies benefit from combining both tools?
FELIOS and Elements for IoT only unfold their full potential when working together:
The combination creates a seamless digital workflow: FELIOS creates an optimized production plan based on ERP data and forwards it to Elements for IoT. The system takes over control on the shop floor and delivers valuable data for process optimization back to the APS.
Companies thus benefit from intelligent, resource-efficient manufacturing and agile digitalization. The advantages of an integrated suite are combined with the flexibility of a best-of-breed solution.
About our Expert
Antje Middelberg
Marketing Specialist
Antje Middelberg has been a Marketing Specialist at INFORM since May 2024. As a passionate writer, she writes success stories, blogs and much more for the Production Division.
