Digital architecture for integrated manufacturing operations

Manufacturing, planning,
logistics & quality.Aligned by design.

ABC helps food and pharmaceutical manufacturers bring planning, manufacturing, logistics and quality under stronger operational control. Dirk Aalten translates operational alignment and the existing systems landscape into a practical digital manufacturing architecture and a phased implementation plan.

Discuss your challenge with Dirk Explore common challenges

Dirk Aalten, independent MES/MOM and IT/OT architect — **Dirk Aalten**Independent MES/MOM and IT/OT architect

25+ yearsin digital manufacturing

Food · Pharmasector focus

Process → architecturethe right role for each system

Operations as the starting point

The hardest digital challenges arise where operational processes intersect.

ABC starts with how planning, manufacturing, logistics and quality must work together day to day—not with a software package or platform.

Planning & manufacturing

Turn demand and capacity into a feasible production plan, responsive operational control and reliable feedback from the shop floor.

Plan versus actual execution
Priorities, capacity and progress

Materials & logistics

Ensure raw materials, intermediates and packaging are available at the right time, in the right place and with the right status.

Line-side inventory and material movement
Inventory status and intralogistics

Quality & traceability

Embed quality decisions, deviations, holds and product release in day-to-day operations, rather than managing them through a separate administrative process.

Quality status across the process chain
Origin, consumption and destination

Real-time control & automation

Connect manufacturing execution, equipment and real-time information without creating an unnecessarily complex or fragile operating environment.

Order, batch and line status
Alignment across IT, OT and operations

From operational requirements to digital architecture

Operational requirements first. Systems second.

ABC defines the information, decision rights and accountabilities required to run the operation, then determines where functionality and data should reside.

ERPAPSMES/MOMWMS/WCSQMSSCADA/PLC

When to bring in ABC

Is your organisation facing
any of these situations?

When processes, accountabilities and system boundaries no longer align, ABC provides independent architectural advice and senior delivery leadership.

An ERP transformation is redefining the shop floor

The ERP programme raises fundamental questions about planning, manufacturing execution, inventory, quality and shop-floor system responsibilities.

MES selection lacks a clear direction

MES/MOM is on the agenda, but the organisation has yet to agree the scope, target architecture, selection approach or delivery roadmap.

IT, OT and operations are working from different assumptions

Processes, data, systems and suppliers need to be aligned within a coherent manufacturing architecture with clear governance.

Modernise without disrupting production

Existing systems, live operations, validation requirements, supplier dependencies and limited shutdown windows determine what is feasible. ABC translates the target state into a phased implementation plan.

Relevant experience

Architecture proven
in delivery.

Three examples of how Dirk connects strategic direction, manufacturing architecture and disciplined delivery in complex food and pharmaceutical environments.

Greenfield · Food

Hessing: MES and IT/OT for a new fresh food production facility

Situation: A new high-volume production environment where end-to-end traceability, short lead times and high availability had to be designed in from day one.
Dirk's role: Dirk safeguarded the architecture and scope, aligned technical disciplines and suppliers, and guided the programme from blueprint through commissioning to operational handover.
Value: A coherent MES and IT/OT architecture aligning manufacturing, logistics, automation and enterprise IT, with clear ownership and governance.

View the full case

Multi-site · Pharma

MES roll-out across multiple manufacturing sites

Situation: Following the first go-live, a validated MES solution had to be rolled out to manufacturing sites in the Netherlands and Germany.
Dirk's role: Dirk led the programme across manufacturing sites, the system integrator and internal teams, maintaining control of scope, budget, schedule, quality and compliance.
Value: A disciplined roll-out balancing global standardisation, site readiness and GxP requirements.

Anonymised project experience

ERP transformation · Fresh produce

ERP-to-shop-floor blueprint for manufacturing and logistics

Situation: An ERP transformation required clear responsibilities across ERP, planning, WMS/WCS, MES, quality systems and automation.
Dirk's role: Dirk provided independent architectural advice, led stakeholder validation and translated operational requirements into an integrated digital manufacturing blueprint.
Value: A decision framework for real-time control, material flows, traceability and future platform choices.

Anonymised project experience

WHY ABC

“Independent of software suppliers and implementation partners— so process design, architecture decisions and supplier governance remain impartial.”

Independent direction
From operational design through delivery

Where ABC adds value

Independent expertise
from strategy through delivery.

Dirk advises manufacturers as an independent MES/MOM and IT/OT architect, helping clients make informed decisions and establish frameworks that operations, IT/OT teams and suppliers can act on.

MES/MOM strategy & architecture

From manufacturing strategy and ISA-95 principles to a delivery-ready blueprint, clear system boundaries and an agreed roadmap.

ERP-to-shop-floor architecture

Clear system boundaries for planning, manufacturing execution, material flows, quality, traceability and data ownership.

IT/OT architecture & integration

A robust, scalable architecture spanning ERP, MES, WMS/WCS, SCADA, PLCs and industrial data.

MES programme & project leadership

Independent leadership for selection, implementation and roll-out, with firm control of scope, suppliers, budget and operational adoption.

Areas of expertise

ISA-95 & ERP-to-shop-floor system boundariesTraceability & electronic manufacturing recordsGxP, ALCOA+ & compliance by designOEE, performance & shop-floor visibilitySupplier selection & implementation governanceFood, feed & pharmaceutical manufacturing

The approach

From manufacturing challenge
to practical digital architecture.

ABC combines process insight, architectural depth and delivery leadership so that decisions remain workable and digital manufacturing is treated as an operational transformation—not an isolated IT initiative.

Understand

Clarify the strategic objectives, operational priorities, manufacturing processes, constraints and current technology landscape with operations, IT and OT.

Define

Establish an agreed target architecture, explicit system boundaries and clear decisions on organisation, data and technology.

Deliver

Turn the roadmap into disciplined delivery through design authority, supplier governance and operational-readiness planning.

Professionals collaborate on an architecture for digital manufacturing — From direction to deliveryArchitecture that aligns people, processes and systems.

Modern food production line with packaged vegetables and controlled material flows

Food & feed

Control variability and flow.
Strengthen traceability.

Where volume, freshness, yield and complex material flows converge, ABC links planning with manufacturing execution through a reliable digital shop-floor architecture.

Manufacturing planning & execution
Material and crate flows
OEE & operational visibility

Pharmaceutical

Compliance without
compromising operations.

Regulated manufacturing demands demonstrable control. ABC translates GxP, ALCOA+ and data integrity requirements into practical architecture and disciplined implementation.

Electronic Batch Records
Validation & data integrity
Multi-site roll-out governance

Dirk Aalten
Independent MES/MOM specialist

About Dirk Aalten

Strategic in the boardroom.
Grounded on the shop floor.

Dirk brings executive management, operations, IT, engineering and delivery partners into one decision-making framework. With more than 25 years in digital manufacturing, he provides clarity, structure and disciplined leadership for complex transformations.

Profile at a glance

Role: Independent MES/MOM architect & programme manager
Experience: 25+ years in digital manufacturing
Sectors: Food, feed & pharmaceutical manufacturing
Specialisms: IT/OT, ISA-95, architecture, governance & delivery

As an independent architect and programme manager, he connects business outcomes and process design with system architecture, implementation governance and operational adoption.

His approach is analytical, transparent and outcome-focused: no technology for its own sake, but architectures that remain understandable, scalable and supportable.

View the full profile Read the Hessing case Public source: Actemium

Platform experience

Siemens OpcenterAVEVARockwellSimatic ITInfor MESOutSystems

Need stronger alignment across operations?

From operational challenge
to practical architecture.

Arrange a 30-minute introductory conversation. Include a brief outline of your organisation and challenge, together with a few suitable times; Dirk will respond personally.

Arrange a conversation

Introductory call · 30 minutes · scheduled by email

info@aaltenbusinessconsultancy.com

Manufacturing, planning,logistics & quality.Aligned by design.