DeltaV Manufacturing Execution System Reviews

“smooth integrations”

Pros

One of the biggest advantages is how tightly it works with the DeltaV DCS. Execution, data collection and control all connect in a way that feels much more unified than the add-on MES products I've seen.

Cons

Getting it implemented and configured can take a lot of effort and resources especially if the team doesn't already have solid MES or DeltaV knowledge.

“really slow”

Pros

There is some flexibility available when it comes to configuration which helps in adapting the system to different needs.

Cons

When we used this software it was so slow and had a lot of bugs. Plus the migration project with the vendors turned into a nightmare.

“Paperless manufacturing done right”

Pros

Syncade MES has been an ideal MES platform for our manufacturing work. The interface is user friendly and configuring and maintaining workflows is really easy. It helps cut down operator errors in Manufacturing Quality Review Manager by supporting full review by exception. It also keeps manufacturing paperless and helps ensure product quality. It even works well for developing, maintaining and deploying core MES solutions. Plus the enterprise integrations through Business Integrator are very useful. Paperless batch records improve accuracy and save time while real time release is much faster.

Cons

The hotfix upgrade process was difficult and testing new releases ended up taking quite a bit of time.

“configurable workflows that scale”

Pros

Configurable workflows and strong system integrations are essential for developing quickly and scaling manufacturing processes especially in the growing personalized healthcare space. Syncade gives end users the flexibility to adjust its configurable components to handle both standard needs and new or unexpected process requirements.

Cons

Can't think of anything I'd want to change.

“flexible MES with strong integration”

Pros

A good thing about this product is how configurable it is. It can be tailored on the customer side to match specific business user requirements and that flexibility gives teams more choices when authoring the configuration. It also connects well with ERP, CMMS and LIMS systems. Another strong point is the Syncade quality review manager module which is a valuable addition because it supports real-time review and sign-off on deviations while batch execution is still in progress.

Cons

Syncade does provide batch reporting options through InfoBatch (Informetric) and the Crystal Reports engine. That said, batch reporting and audit trail reporting still need improvement to really take the product to the next level.

“Very customizable”

Pros

Very flexible and can be customized quite a bit to fit different manufacturing needs.

Cons

One downside is the lack of stronger standardization around technical solutions and best practices across customers. There's also no common integration platform or bus which means different custom solutions are often needed.

“easy to maintain”

Pros

It's highly configurable and simple to maintain which makes day to day use much more manageable.

Cons

The upgrade process feels a bit annoying. It would help to have a better migration path and a clearer roadmap for future releases so organizations can plan ahead more effectively.

“Highly configurable platform”

Pros

This product fits well in an R&D environment because it's highly configurable and feels modern. Emerson has also shown a real commitment to working in partnership on delivery.

Cons

Development of the product didn't seem to be a priority until recently. That said, there is now significant progress being made along with clear investment.

“very badly outdated”

Pros

Has a decent amount of configurability in certain parts of the system which gives some flexibility depending on how you want to use it.

Cons

The bigger issue is that Emerson has not supported this product well over the years and there are still a lot of unresolved bugs and product limitations. There has never really been a major version upgrade since it was introduced back in 2004. The Syncade modules may have been advanced by 2004 standards but today they feel outdated and behind current expectations. Syncade covers a wide range of functions, such as document management, change requests, training, equipment events, inventory, material property tracking and electronic batch records but it does not truly excel in any of them. Across those areas, it consistently falls short of being a leading solution.

“Inconsistent updates every time”

Pros

Over the years the product has gradually improved and now covers more of the functions you would expect from a standard MES.

Cons

A huge con is that the installation teams dont follow a consistent update approach so every customer ends up with a one of a kind setup. That makes the features and configuration feel too unique which leads to a lot of extra requirements gathering and endless back and forth during the design phase.