What is a manufacturing dashboard?

A manufacturing dashboard is a visual interface that consolidates real-time production data—machine uptime, throughput, quality rates, cycle times—into centralized displays for operational decision-making. Unlike ERP systems that track transactional data, dashboards focus on actionable KPIs for plant managers and operators.

What are the most important manufacturing KPIs to track?

The four critical KPI categories are: Production Efficiency (OEE, cycle time, throughput), Quality Metrics (defect rate, first-pass yield, scrap rate), Delivery Performance (on-time delivery, lead time), and Cost Metrics (cost per unit, labor efficiency, downtime cost). OEE is the single most important metric for overall production effectiveness.

How much does a manufacturing dashboard cost?

Costs range from €199-€499/month for embedded analytics platforms like Sumboard to €50,000-€100,000+ for custom-built solutions. Open-source options like Grafana appear free but require DevOps resources (€30K-€50K annually). Enterprise BI tools cost €60K-€88K/year plus per-user fees.

Can manufacturing dashboards integrate with existing ERP systems?

Yes. Modern dashboards connect to ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics), MES platforms, SCADA systems, and IoT sensors via APIs or database connections. Real-time integration typically requires middleware or ETL tools to consolidate data from multiple sources.

What's the difference between a manufacturing dashboard and a BI tool?

Manufacturing dashboards are purpose-built for production environments with real-time data refresh, operator-friendly interfaces, and shop-floor-specific KPIs. BI tools are generic analytics platforms requiring significant customization. Dashboards prioritize speed and simplicity; BI tools prioritize depth and flexibility.

Complete GuideFebruary 24, 2026

Manufacturing Dashboard Guide: Complete Guide to Production Analytics & KPIs (2026)

Learn how manufacturing dashboards help plant managers track OEE, reduce downtime, and optimize production in real-time. Includes KPI frameworks, implementation strategies, and embedded analytics solutions.

28 min read

Manufacturing Dashboard Guide: Complete Guide to Production Analytics & KPIs (2026)

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