KPI (Key Performance Indicator)

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are central performance indicators that make the progress, efficiency and success of a company, a department or a specific process measurable. KPIs play a crucial role in industrial production in particular, as they provide an objective basis for analysis, planning and decision-making.

Typical KPIs in production include OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), reject rate, system availability, on-time delivery, set-up times and energy consumption. These production KPIs enable companies to monitor, evaluate and optimize their processes in a targeted manner – in the spirit of lean production and continuous improvement.

A practical example: A medium-sized mechanical engineering company defines KPIs such as OEE, reject rate and order throughput time in order to make the efficiency of its production transparent. These values are recorded and visualized in real time with the help of a modern MES system. This allows weak points in the process to be identified immediately and appropriate optimization measures to be initiated – be it by adjusting production planning, improving maintenance or training employees.

By integrating key performance indicators into MES systems such as PROXIA, processes can be controlled and sustainably improved on the basis of data. Companies not only gain transparency and control, but also secure long-term competitive advantages through precise and responsive production control.

KPIs are therefore an indispensable tool for every company on the road to the smart factory and for the successful implementation of Industry 4.0 strategies.

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