Integrating MES with Odoo ERP: A Blueprint for Metals & Mining Plants

Introduction

MES Odoo ERP integration for mining and metals plants is no longer a luxury—it’s an operational necessity. In an industry driven by throughput, traceability, and safety, aligning your Manufacturing Execution System (MES) with enterprise-wide tools like Odoo ERP enables real-time decisions and plant-wide visibility.

At Rowwad Advisory & Business Solutions, we help Qatar’s industrial leaders architect seamless ERP–MES integration tailored to local operations.

Why Integration Matters in Metals & Mining

Mining and metals plants are data-rich but insight-poor when systems aren’t connected. Without integration:

• Production KPIs remain siloed

• Inventory visibility is delayed

• Maintenance schedules are reactive

• Downtime and energy costs go unoptimised

By integrating MES and ERP, you achieve:

• Unified production-to-finance workflows

• Faster reconciliation of raw material usage

• Automated quality logging and compliance

• Real-time dashboards for operations and management

“For mining plants, every delay is expensive. ERP–MES integration puts information in motion—where it belongs.”
— OT Integration Lead, Rowwad

MES + Odoo ERP: System Overview

Odoo ERP

Open-source, modular ERP system with strengths in:

• Inventory & warehouse control

• Procurement & supplier management

• Finance, HR, and compliance

• Customisable manufacturing (MRP) module

MES (Manufacturing Execution System)

Plant-floor system that manages:

• Machine data & sensor inputs (PLC/SCADA)

• Work order execution

• Quality checks

• Downtime and shift reports

Goal: Enable seamless flow of production data into Odoo ERP, eliminating manual handoffs.

Blueprint: How to Integrate MES with Odoo ERP

 Step 1: Define Use Cases & Data Flow

Start with a joint IT/OT workshop to define:

• What data should flow from MES → ERP (e.g., production orders, scrap rates, machine cycles)

• What data should flow from ERP → MES (e.g., BOMs, schedules, material requests)

Rowwad uses BPMN mapping to document workflows.

Step 2: Build or Choose a Middleware Layer

You can use:

• Native Odoo API (REST/XML-RPC)

• MQTT or OPC-UA broker for real-time IoT data

• Python middleware scripts

• Industry connectors like Kepware, Ignition, or Node-RED

We customise middleware based on latency, volume, and device protocols.

Step 3: Create Data Governance & Tagging Structure

Standardise:

• Equipment IDs, tag names, product SKUs

• Time stamps, batch numbers, and units of measure

• Access levels across departments

This enables data alignment and avoids duplication.

Step 4: Pilot Integration at One Line or Station

Start with one production line or station. Validate:

• Correct work order sync

• Real-time status updates in Odoo

• MES feedback on downtime or quality alerts

• Accuracy of financial reconciliation

Refine before plant-wide rollout.

Step 5: Train Operators and Admin Users

Both ERP and MES users must:

• Understand their system’s role in the integration

• Know escalation paths for data errors

• Use shared dashboards for monitoring

Rowwad provides bilingual training customised to operational and IT/OT roles.

Case Study: Odoo–MES Integration in a GCC Foundry

Company: Large aluminium casting plant
Pain Point: Odoo used for finance + inventory, MES used for plant floor—no link between them

Solution:

• Integrated MES with Odoo MRP via Python + MQTT middleware

• Connected weighing scales and temperature sensors to ERP batch logs

• Enabled predictive maintenance data sync to Odoo maintenance app

Results:

• 20% reduction in raw material wastage

• 90% accuracy in production costing

• Downtime tracking improved by 3x

FAQs: MES and ERP Integration for Heavy Industry

Q1: Is Odoo ERP suitable for industrial-grade use?
Yes—with the right customisation and integration support, Odoo can rival tier-1 ERPs at a fraction of the cost.

Q2: Can we integrate without changing our MES system?
Absolutely. Rowwad works with your existing MES and PLC infrastructure using modular, non-invasive connectors.

Q3: What’s the typical integration timeline?
Most Phase 1 pilots take 6–8 weeks. Full plant integration may take 3–6 months depending on scope.

Work with Rowwad to Integrate ERP & MES Seamlessly

Rowwad Advisory & Business Solutions offers end-to-end integration services for Qatar’s industrial firms:

• MES–ERP strategy and scoping

• Middleware development and API integration

• Industrial automation + data flow design

• Operator training and IT/OT alignment

• Post-integration support & reporting dashboards

Speak with our OT consultants today to align your plant’s digital systems—and unlock real-time operational intelligence.