Digital WorkMate vs Starcode ERP
A fair comparison: what Starcode ERP is, what it is good at, where the differences are and when which system fits you better.
What is Starcode ERP?
Starcode ERP is an ERP system for manufacturers and machine builders that brings ERP, PLM/PDM and CPQ (product configuration) together in one platform. It is built on the Thinkwise low-code platform.
For which types of companies?
Fast-growing SMB manufacturers and machine builders with engineering and product configuration.
What is Starcode ERP good at?
- ERP, PLM/PDM and CPQ in one platform
- Product configurator with automatic bill of materials generation
- Revision and status management of engineering data
- Modular: you choose the modules you need
What is Digital WorkMate?
Digital WorkMate is a modern manufacturing ERP for complex SMB manufacturers. Sales, estimating, BOMs and revisions, scheduling, production, shop floor, inventory and invoicing are in one cloud platform, complemented by direct machine connectivity (OPC UA and CNC), open APIs and AI.
Dutch manufacturing ERP
Strong in production, estimating, work preparation, planning and administration, with deep knowledge of the Dutch manufacturing industry. Digital WorkMate differentiates itself by combining a modern cloud architecture with direct shop floor, IT/OT, open APIs, real-time data and AI in one platform.
The information about Starcode comes from Starcode's own website and the Thinkwise partner page; independent documentation is limited, so many items show "?". According to its website, Starcode charges a licence per user per month, with a separate one-off implementation; Digital WorkMate has no licence per user.
Key differences
No scores or ranking: for each topic you see whether it is available, via a module or integration, or not a core capability.
| Capability | Digital WorkMate | Starcode ERP |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing ERP | ✓ | ✓ |
| Make-to-order (MTO) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engineer-to-order (ETO) | ✓ | ◐ |
| Focus on machine building | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complex (multi-level) BOM | ✓ | ✓ |
| Product revisions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Routing / operations | ✓ | ? |
| Work centres and capacity | ✓ | ? |
| Production scheduling (finite capacity) | ✓ | ? |
| Shop floor data collection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Digital work instructions | ✓ | ? |
| Quality control and non-conformances (measurement steps, NCR) | ◐In-process quality control with measurement steps, tolerances, photos and checklists recorded by the operator, with a configurable frequency (for example every first piece or every N pieces). A rejected step can block the operation, block a lot or start a non-conformance report (NCR). Non-conformance reports and audit schedules as task board templates; no SPC charts and no incoming inspection at goods receipt. | ◐ |
| Traceability (lots) | ✓ | ? |
| Pick orders with barcode scanning | ✓ | ? |
| Actual costing | ✓ | ✓ |
| IT/OT machine connectivity | ✓ | ? |
| OPC UA | ✓ | ? |
| API | ✓ | ✓ |
| OData | ✓ | ? |
| MCP (AI agents) | ✓ | ? |
| Built-in AI | ✓ | ? |
| Cloud / SaaS | ✓ | ✓ |
| ERP + shop floor in one system | ✓ | ✓ |
| Financial accounting (general ledger) | ◐Own general ledger per tenant with automatic postings from invoices, purchasing, inventory and production. A package-neutral export of posted entries is available, but a direct export to external accounting packages is not yet, and consolidation across entities or countries is missing. Chart of accounts with default setup, cost centres, journals and posting rules. Manual journal entries (draft, post, reverse) with server-side balance control; posted entries are immutable. Close and reopen fiscal years and periods, year-end close transferring the result, trial balance, profit and loss, balance sheet and margins per customer, project and production order. | ◐ |
| CRM | ◐Leads and opportunities through the "Lead Sales and Marketing" portfolio template and leads from Outlook; no forecasting or lead-scoring engine. | ◐ |
| Product configurator | ◐Commercial options decide which BOM lines apply to an order or estimate; no rule-based product configurator. | ✓ |
| Leave and timesheets with approval (no payroll) | ✓ | ? |
- ✓ Available
- ◐ Via module, configuration or integration
- — Not a core capability
- ? Insufficient public information
Based on public vendor information, checked on 17-10-2026. Functionality, editions and licences change; always check with the vendor. A "?" means we could not verify it, not that it is missing. Spotted an inaccuracy? Let us know.
When can Digital WorkMate be interesting?
- You want shop floor and machine connectivity (OPC UA, Fanuc, Heidenhain, Sinumerik) as standard in the same platform as your ERP.
- You want a modern cloud platform with open API, OData and MCP for AI agents.
- You run high-mix/low-volume or MTO and want finite-capacity scheduling with direct feedback from the floor.
- You want to keep your current financial system.
When can Starcode ERP be the better fit?
- You are looking for one platform for ERP, PLM/PDM and CPQ for machine building, with product configuration and automatic bill of materials generation.
- You want to manage engineering data (bills of materials, revisions, statuses) directly in the ERP.
- You want an ERP built on the Thinkwise low-code platform.
Sources
The information about Starcode ERP is based on these public sources:
- Starcode – Starcode ERP (starcode.nl)
- Starcode – Wat doet en levert Starcode? (starcode.nl)
- Starcode – 4 pijnpunten van engineering en hoe Starcode ERP dit oplost (starcode.nl)
- Starcode – Starcode ERP vs. Trimergo (starcode.nl)
- Starcode – Traject met een nieuwe partij: voor- en nadelen (starcode.nl)
- Starcode – Wat kost een ERP-systeem? (starcode.nl)
- Thinkwise – Starcode partner (thinkwisesoftware.com)
Curious how your processes fit in DWM?
In a no-obligation demo we show how Digital WorkMate supports your processes from sales to invoicing, with honest advice on what does and does not fit.