Build, Buy or Go Hybrid with mes? Gartner Insights & TEEXMA for MES
In the current manufacturing world, aging systems, market changes, and evolving compliance demands are forcing leaders to reevaluate their Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). The challenge: deciding whether to build, buy, or adopt a hybrid solution that combines the strengths of both.
In our opinion, the framework in the Gartner® article Build, Buy or Go Hybrid with Manufacturing Execution Systems outlines the trade-offs of this decision:
- Off-the-shelf MES (COTS): Fit-for-purpose software tends to cover only 70–90% of its needs. Customizations or low-code additions are required to fill that gap, and they can be costly and time consuming.
- Fully custom builds: This solution provides a unique fit, but demands high talent investment, longer timelines, and ongoing maintenance burdens.
- Hybrid approaches: We believe this approach combines buying a robust platform and adding low-code or configurable extensions, offering flexibility without the pitfalls of over-customization.
We believe this is where Bassetti’s TEEXMA for MES delivers exceptional value: a hybrid, configurable, and modular solution that bridges the gap between COTS limitations and full custom development.
The MES Dilemma: Custom, Off-the-shelf or Both?
Manufacturers face unique process requirements, regulatory demands, and integration challenges. According to the 2022 Gartner Supply Chain Technology User Wants and Needs Survey, only 14% of the manufacturing clients surveyed prefer to develop custom solutions that meet all their requirements. Due to a strong vendor landscape and shortage of talent, most end up choosing a COTS solution.
But there’s a catch:
- Over-customizing COTS systems can make upgrades difficult and introduce technical debt.
- Purely custom builds are often expensive to maintain and can lag behind market innovation.
Hybrid solutions include purchasing a strong base platform and extending it through low-code tools, APIs, and configurable modules. This solution delivers the adaptability modern manufacturers need without the full risk of building from scratch.
Why Configurability Beats Over-Customization
Configurability allows a solution to adapt to future needs, while customization often locks you into today’s requirements.
Low-code platforms and open architectures mean you can:
- Extend functionality without rewriting core code
- Reduce upgrade complexity
- Integrate seamlessly with ERP, PLM, Quality, and Maintenance systems
- Keep intellectual property secure in separate, protected layers
TEEXMA for MES embodies this philosophy, delivering a powerful, configurable environment designed for rapid adaptation and long-term scalability.
TEEXMA for MES: Built for Hybrid Success
Gartner makes it clear: “The value proposition should never be about whether you can build a better MES than the vendors, but about obtaining additional business value through speed and agility.”
With its low-code configurability, TEEXMA for MES enables manufacturers to adapt workflows, dashboards, and processes rapidly—without the heavy lift of rebuilding from scratch or the upgrade headaches of over-customization.
Because TEEXMA is part of a broader modular suite, data flows seamlessly between MES, Quality, Maintenance, LIMS, and other critical systems. This interconnected approach ensures that agility doesn’t come at the expense of consistency or governance—key factors in long-term MES success.
Key Functionalities
Bassetti’s TEEXMA for MES is more than just a production tracking tool, it’s a centralized ecosystem for manufacturing operations. It delivers:
- Real-Time Production Dashboards: Monitor operations across the shop floor with live KPIs, status updates, and traceability for every order.
- Modular Integration: As part of the TEEXMA suite, MES integrates with LIMS, Materials, Quality, Maintenance, EHS, and PLM modules for complete process oversight.
- Low-Code Flexibility: Configure workflows, screens, and rules without deep-code development, which is perfect for fast adaptation to new processes or compliance demands.
- Open Architecture: APIs and configurable components allow manufacturers to connect TEEXMA to their existing enterprise stack while keeping critical IP secure.
- Scalability Across Sites: Centralized governance with local adaptability ensures consistent performance, whether you run one plant or a global network.
- User Friendly Experience: A dedicated operator interface available on mobile, PDA, and desktop makes daily shopfloor operations intuitive, helping teams focus on production instead of battling complex software.
Protecting Intellectual Property While Innovating
For manufacturers with proprietary processes or algorithms, protecting intellectual property is non-negotiable. TEEXMA’s architecture allows:
- Custom logic to run in separate codebases, protecting sensitive know-how
- Secure integration with existing systems without exposing confidential methods to vendors
- Rapid deployment of new features across multiple sites while maintaining governance
From Strategy to Execution: Why We Believe TEEXMA Aligns with Gartner Guidance
If we map the recommendations we’ve gathered from the Gartner report to TEEXMA’s capabilities, the alignment is clear:
We believe the recommendations emphasize configurability, scalability, and agility as the keys to MES success, and TEEXMA delivers on each of these dimensions. By providing a modular, low-code platform that integrates across the manufacturing ecosystem, TEEXMA ensures manufacturers avoid the pitfalls of rigid COTS systems or high-maintenance custom builds.
Conclusion: The Smart Path Forward for MES
In the build-vs-buy debate, the smartest choice is often hybrid: a robust, configurable platform that evolves with your operations.
TEEXMA for MES offers manufacturers the agility, integration, and governance needed to thrive in a competitive, rapidly changing market. It’s not just an MES, it’s a foundation for digital manufacturing excellence.
With our MES software, experience:
Faster ROI: Deploy core MES functionality quickly, then iterate with low-code additions as needs evolve.
Lower Risk: Avoid the technical debt of over-customized COTS or the resourcing drain of a full custom build.
Future-Proofing: Stay aligned with emerging technologies and compliance requirements without costly re-engineering.
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Gartner, Build, Buy or Go Hybrid with Manufacturing Execution Systems, Jake Cunningham, 4 February 2025
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