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OEE consists of three multiplied subcomponents: Availability × Performance × Quality. For example, 85% availability, 98% performance, and 97.5% quality result in an OEE rate of 81%.

Start with the outcome you want to achieve, not with a feature list. Ensure the system is easy to use, supports daily management, provides reliable data, delivers deep loss analysis and real-time visibility, matches your machine fleet, integrates with other systems, and is scalable.

Your ROI comes from five savings: higher output from the same machinery, lower downtime costs, less scrap and rework, shorter changeover times, and lower energy consumption per unit.

The OEE figure only shows that production is losing efficiency, not why. The number says nothing about the causes of the losses. OEE needs to be broken down and used as a basis for improvement work.

You reduce energy consumption most by increasing productivity and by measures such as shaving peak loads and reducing idling. A factory can save double-digit percentages without tying up capital in new machinery.

Reduce changeover time by accurately measuring downtime. Use the SMED method to separate and convert internal steps into external ones, and streamline each substep. By shifting preparation work to when the machine is running, downtime is minimised.