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Head-to-head · Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software

Epicor Advanced MES vs QAD Adaptive MES

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Epicor Advanced MES #3 in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Epicor
QAD Adaptive MES #7 in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 6 features Visit QAD

Epicor Advanced MES leads on 0 checks, QAD Adaptive MES on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreEpicor Advanced MES · 9.0/10
  • Most featuresEpicor Advanced MES · 5 of 6

Epicor Advanced MES scores higher on our rubric for manufacturing execution system (mes) software: 9.0 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Epicor Advanced MES is the better fit for plants prioritizing scheduling, OEE, and machine data. QAD Adaptive MES is the better fit for QAD customers seeking connected shop-floor execution.

  • Epicor Advanced MES fits best

    Plants prioritizing scheduling, OEE, and machine data

  • QAD Adaptive MES fits best

    QAD customers seeking connected shop-floor execution

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Side by side

Feature Epicor Advanced MES 9.0/10 Visit ↗ QAD Adaptive MES 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.6
Ranking #3 in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software #7 in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software
Best for Plants prioritizing scheduling, OEE, and machine data QAD customers seeking connected shop-floor execution
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request Pricing on request
Free plan Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Integrations 3 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Epicor Advanced MES 5/6 · QAD Adaptive MES 2/6
Production scheduling ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Quality management ✓ ✓
Traceability & genealogy ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Shop-floor data capture ✓ ✓
OEE analytics ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Electronic work instructions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Hybrid
Our review
Pros
  • Dynamic scheduling adjusts production plans in real time
  • Automates machine, sensor and operator data collection
  • Combines SPC/SQC, traceability, OEE and maintenance workflows
  • Tracks production orders, operator transactions, and equipment events
  • Collects machine data through Ignition SCADA
  • Connects genealogy, status visibility, and QAD ERP production data
Cons
  • Pricing requires a contact-sales process
  • Epicor architecture can affect available deployment options
  • No open-source edition is offered
  • Pricing is available through contact with sales
  • Feature scope is narrower than broader MES suites
  • Its strongest fit is within the QAD software ecosystem
Our verdict

Epicor Advanced MES is a manufacturing execution system for mid-market and enterprise manufacturers that need real-time shop-floor visibility and process automation. It brings together dynamic production scheduling, machine, sensor and…

Read the review →

QAD Adaptive MES is presented through QAD Production Execution, an MES-oriented extension of QAD Adaptive ERP. It connects production planning with shop-floor work, supporting production-order progress, operator transactions, equipment…

Read the review →
  1. Epicor Advanced MESManufacturing Execution System (MES) Software 9.0Pricing on request
  2. QAD Adaptive MESManufacturing Execution System (MES) Software 8.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Epicor Advanced MES — where it wins

    • Dynamic scheduling adjusts production plans in real time
    • Automates machine, sensor and operator data collection
    • Combines SPC/SQC, traceability, OEE and maintenance workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a contact-sales process
    • Epicor architecture can affect available deployment options
    • No open-source edition is offered

  • QAD Adaptive MES — where it wins

    • Tracks production orders, operator transactions, and equipment events
    • Collects machine data through Ignition SCADA
    • Connects genealogy, status visibility, and QAD ERP production data

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is available through contact with sales
    • Feature scope is narrower than broader MES suites
    • Its strongest fit is within the QAD software ecosystem
  • Epicor Advanced MES9.0/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad MES suite for scheduling, machine data, quality, traceability and OEE.

    Visit EpicorFull verdict →
  • QAD Adaptive MES8.6/10 · Pricing on request

    A QAD-centered MES extension for production execution, traceability, and shop-floor visibility.

    Visit QADFull verdict →

More comparisons

All manufacturing execution system (MES) software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update