PlanitExo, Excel and large MES systems: which fits when?
There are three common ways to plan production: Excel, a lighter system specialised in planning and efficiency measurement (like PlanitExo), and a large MES. None is best at everything. The table below compares categories, not specific products.
| Aspect | Excel | PlanitExo | Large MES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concurrent editing | Version clashes, lost edits | Resource locked while being edited, you see who is working on it | Supported |
| Real-time state | None, files must be passed around | Yes, everyone sees the same | Yes |
| Rescheduling | Rewriting cells by hand | Dragging blocks, changeovers are separate blocks | Depends on the system |
| OEE measurement | Manual calculation | Built in, four levels, from tablet recording | Built in |
| Shop-floor data entry | None | Tablet, NFC card or PIN | Typically yes (terminals) |
| Inventory and material handling (storage locations, stock statuses, QR-code identification) | Manual records, does not scale | Planned: Inventory module, for the end of 2026. Not available today. | Typically yes |
| Quality management | None | None (the “quality check” stock status will be part of the planned Inventory module) | Typically yes |
| Introduction | Immediate, but does not scale | Gradual, module by module, during production | Typically longer, project-like |
| Cost | Low at first | EUR 20–60/resource/month + one-time implementation (excl. VAT) | Typically higher (licence and implementation) |
When is Excel enough?
With few resources, rare rescheduling and a single planner, Excel does the job. It starts to cause trouble when several people edit it, the plan changes often, or the shop floor and the office do not see the same state. More on the blog: how digital production planning replaces spreadsheet juggling.
When is PlanitExo a good fit?
When the main task is assigning orders to resources, handling changeovers and measuring efficiency, without needing full MES functionality. It can be introduced gradually, module by module and during production, the Excel exports for your existing reports remain, and it connects to your ERP and to Factbird.
When do you need a large MES instead?
When quality management, full traceability or material handling should also be done by the production control system. PlanitExo does not include quality management. Inventory management and material handling (pallet and container identification, storage locations, stock statuses, stocktaking, QR-code mobile terminal) will come with the Inventory module, which is planned for the end of 2026 and is not available today. If you also need a light shop-floor planning and measurement interface next to an MES, PlanitExo can be used as a complement.