What makes the MES industry so special?
Jonas Drees: “What fascinates me about the MES industry is that, unlike ERP systems, MES is not yet as firmly established. The key difference is that ERP is a must-have, whereas MES is often seen as a nice-to-have. In ERP, managing inventory and accounting is essential for business operations. Once that’s set up, production itself is often treated as secondary. This means that an order document is printed, production becomes somewhat of a black box, and at some point, the office receives confirmation that the orders are completed.
An MES brings transparency, sheds light on the process, and turns production into a glass house. I can see at any time which order is currently running on which machine, where progress is being made, and where problems arise. This allows for immediate intervention or data-driven decision-making based on historical evaluations to optimize processes proactively.
The potential and results that can be achieved with MES are far greater than many initially expect. And that’s what makes it special: we can show our customers what is possible. Months or even years later, we receive feedback on the impact MES has had—and that is the most rewarding part of the job.”
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What new skills or knowledge have you developed at FASTEC that have also helped you personally?
Jonas Drees: “Working at FASTEC, especially in sales, has made me much more open in conversations with people. I’ve also adapted and improved the way I communicate with others. In project-based business, it would be easy to simply offer a standard solution and leave it to the customer to figure out how to use it—but of course, that’s not how it works.
This mindset has also carried over into my personal life. I’ve become a better listener and now better understand how people think and what their needs are. The same applies to our customers. There are challenges to solve and opportunities to seize, and the way we respond should genuinely support the other person. That’s why I don’t just offer any product to close a deal—I offer the solution that is truly the best fit for them. For me, the real success lies in achieving something together, and that’s what I find most important.”
What is your favorite vacation spot, and what makes it so special?
Jonas Drees: “My favorite place to go on vacation is Italy. I love driving through Austria, making a stop to go hiking in the mountains or taking an e-bike ride. Then, I continue through Italy, visiting different cities or relaxing on the beach. Last year, for example, I went to Rome—probably the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen. I like to combine that with some time at the beach, just lying around all day and taking a dip in the water every now and then. After about ten days, it’s the perfect balance to recharge and start fresh with new energy.”
