Implementation
How a factory goes live on Epifor
MES implementations rarely fail because of software. They fail from overreach: trying to digitize everything at once, running half the floor on the system and half off it, or starting without anyone owning the project. Epifor'simplementation method exists to prevent exactly those failures. It has taken factories live in about a month for a focused scope; complex multi-line rollouts can take up to a year. We will tell you which one you are before you commit.
The five phases
1. Scoping and consultation
We start by understanding your production and your ERP. You work either directly with us or with a certified Epifor Partner. For ERP integration (two-way, via web services) we strongly recommend involving one of the two rather than going alone. Out of this phase comes a defined first scope and an implementation schedule.
2. Structure your production
Together we map your product categories and the procedures behind them: workflows, bills of materials,quality checks and the special fields your tracking needs. Epifor's templates do much of this work. The goal is minimum configuration, not a consulting project.
3. Design the shop floor
We map production stages to workstations and define what gets tracked where: which stations report, where inspections happen and at what rates and how workstation availability is monitored. This is where "real-time visibility" stops being a slide and becomes a floorplan.
4. Start lean, integrate, test
The first go-live scope is deliberately small. One area, one flow, connected to your ERP. Then we test with your actual daily workload, not a sanitized demo dataset. Managers train first; then all operators of the area train together, with your project leader in the room.
5. Go live, everyone at once
When an area goes live, the whole area goes live. We have watched a trial where some operators worked on the MES and some off it; it failed completely, and we don't repeat it. Full adoptionper area, then expand area by area. After go-live, support continues as described in our Support Policy (through your Partner if one runs your implementation and directly from us for platform issues).
What implementation asks of your side
Three things, and they are non-negotiable because the failed projects are the ones that skipped them
- A project leader with time and authority (someone who can decide, not just coordinate).
- Your procedures on the table documented,or captured with us during phase 2.
- Commitment to full adoption; management backing that everyone in a live area works in the system.
Who does the work
Implementation is delivered directly by Epoptia P.C. or by a certified Epifor MES Partner; ERP consultancies and integrators trained on the platform. Either way, the method above is the same, and you keep one first point of contact from scoping through support.
Ready to scope yours? Book a presentation. Bring whoever knows your ERP best.