MES/MOM Software to Navigate Disruptions
Manufacturing leaders no longer have the luxury of incremental digitization, they need architectures purpose‑built for resilience to stay competitive.
As geopolitical tensions, cybersecurity threats, and supply‑chain volatility intensify, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) will become foundational for navigating disruption. In 2026, the ability to proactively detect, rapidly respond and seamlessly recover from disruptions will separate market leaders from laggards.
A Year of Market Turbulence Met with New Innovation
2026 will be a year defined by excellence in manufacturing execution far outreaching previous years of experimentation. The manufacturers pulling ahead are those uniting MES and MOM into a single, data‑driven framework that links every production decision to enterprise strategy.
The convergence of these systems is eliminating silos, shortening response times, and turning real‑time data into the backbone of global resilience. As the industry shifts from plant‑level optimization to enterprise‑wide orchestration, the question isn’t if MES and MOM will drive competitive advantage it’s how fast leaders can align around them.
Detailing the 10 Predictions
The following are ten predictions detailing precisely how MES and MOM solutions, particularly platforms like DELMIA Apriso, will drive this new era of manufacturing resilience by 2026.
1. MES and MOM Platforms Shift from Insight to Autonomous Execution. By 2026, MES/MOM platforms will no longer serve merely as visibility tools, they’ll execute real‑time decisions autonomously. AI‑driven MES/MOM solutions will instantly recalibrate production schedules, initiate alternative supplier routes and adjust workflows without waiting for human intervention. According to research from iFactory AI, by 2026, 65% of manufacturers expect to deploy AI within their operations.
2. Digital Twins Evolve into Self‑Healing Production Environments. Digital twin technologies embedded within MES/MOM systems will mature into proactive “self‑healing” systems by 2026. These advanced virtual twins will continuously synchronize with physical assets, reallocating resources, adjusting production flows and scheduling predictive maintenance in real‑time, all aimed at dramatically reducing downtime risk. Recent research confirms digital twins are a primary driver for cloud‑MES adoption.
3. Cloud‑Based MES and MOM Cross the Mainstream Threshold. By 2026, cloud‑first MES and MOM deployments will become operational standards for resilience‑oriented manufacturers. The flexibility, scalability and integration capabilities of cloud infrastructure will break the dominance of legacy on‑premises systems. Market research projects the cloud MES market will reach $2.34 billion by 2026, with 29% of manufacturers planning migration in the next two years.
4. Composable MOM Architectures Replace Legacy Monolithic Systems. Rigid, monolithic MES/MOM systems become strategic liabilities by 2026. Manufacturers will demand composable architectures that are modular, component‑based, low‑code configurability, enabling rapid adaptation to regulation changes, vendor shifts or disruption mandates. Manufacturers embracing composable MOM architectures today will significantly shorten their time‑to‑adapt when disruptions hit.
5. Sustainability Becomes a Core MES/MOM Functionality, Not an Afterthought. By 2026, environmental and resource‑efficiency metrics will be embedded within MES/MOM platforms — no longer optional add‑ons. Real‑time tracking of energy consumption, material waste, machine efficiency and carbon footprint will become operational capabilities, driving resilience through resource agility. Industry commentary already positions sustainability as a key driver for MOM adoption. MOM software plays a pivotal role in sustainable manufacturing. Executives embedding sustainability metrics into operations will gain strategic flexibility during supply‑chain or regulatory shock.
6. Predictive Maintenance Reaches Critical Mass. Predictive maintenance will move from pilot projects to baseline expectation by 2026. Integrated MES/MOM platforms coupled with IoT sensors and analytics will deliver significant reductions in downtime, up to 30–50%. The predictive maintenance market is experiencing rapid 30% CAGR growth, with the U.S. market forecasted to rise from $5.42 billion in 2024 to $12+ billion.
7. Adaptive Production Modes Become a Built‑in Capability. By 2026, MES/MOM platforms will support agile production modes including mixed‑model manufacturing, rapid line changeovers, supplier substitution and cross‑plant shifts as built‑in features rather than bespoke add‑ons. The future of resilience lies in operational flexibility, not rigid configuration. Market intelligence around MOM indicates strong demand for agility in production and supply networks. Manufacturers that design flexible production modes into their core MES/MOM will shift faster when disruptions force rapid change.
8. Unified Digital Threads Connect MES, MOM, ERP and PLM. By 2026, the boundaries between MES, MOM, ERP and PLM will blur. Manufacturing executives will require seamless digital continuity from engineering through operations, supply through production to delivery. Platforms like DELMIA Apriso already emphasize this “digital thread” capability, with manufacturers achieving 2.5 times greater cost and time efficiencies through integrated systems.
9. Edge‑First Architectures Enable Real‑Time Autonomy on the Shop Floor. Edge computing combined with IIoT and 5G technologies will enable millisecond‑level decision loops on the shop floor by 2026. Local ecosystems will process critical data even if connectivity is compromised, yielding operational autonomy. Organizations implementing edge computing solutions save up to 30% on bandwidth costs, while manufacturers using edge technology report 184% ROI in three years.
10. Global Process Management Becomes Fundamental for Multi‑Site Operations. By 2026, the ability to configure processes centrally and receive replication globally, yet allow local adaptation, will become a mandatory MES/MOM capability. Platforms like DELMIA Apriso are architected for multi‑plant harmonization and standardization, featuring Global Process Manager functionality that facilitates consistent processes across locations.
Bottom Line: Resilience Through Strategic Systems Integration
These ten predictions share a core theme: resilience in 2026 will stem from strategic, integrated operational systems; not incremental digital upgrades or isolated innovations. Analyst forecasts support this trajectory: the MOM software market alone is projected to reach approximately US $15.21 billion by 2026, with the global MES market projected to reach $25.78 billion by 2030.
Platforms like DELMIA Apriso exemplify how leading MES/MOM ecosystems align with this vision: modular architecture, global process management, digital‑thread continuity, cloud/hybrid readiness. Manufacturing enterprises aligning their investments around these capabilities today will significantly outperform less resilient peers when disruptions occur.
The future isn’t about who can digitize fastest or collect the most data. It’s about who architected their operations to adapt proactively, autonomously and seamlessly when disruption strikes. Manufacturing industry executives who understand, and act upon, these ten predictions today will lead their industries in 2026 and beyond. Those companies who delay risk becoming cautionary examples of resilience underestimated and competitive advantage lost.
For additional information on MOM and MES, read MES and MOM: Do You Know the Difference?
Louis Columbus is currently serving as a member of the DELMIA Marketing team, where he assists with DELMIAWorks and robotics solutions. Previous positions include product management at Ingram Cloud, product marketing at iBASEt, Plex Systems, senior analyst at AMR Research (now Gartner), marketing and business development at Cincom Systems, Ingram Micro, a SaaS start-up and at hardware companies. Professional experience includes marketing, product management, sales and industry analyst roles in the enterprise software and IT industries. Columbus' academic background includes an MBA from Pepperdine University and completion of the Strategic Marketing Management and Digital Marketing Programs at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. He teaches MBA courses in international business, global competitive strategies, international market research, and capstone courses in strategic planning and market research. Columbus has taught at California State University, Fullerton: University of California, Irvine; Marymount University, and Webster University.