Web-based ERP or traditional ERP
The difference is less in the functions than in how the system is delivered, updated and connected. That determines what you can still change in five years.
A traditional ERP runs on your own servers and installed clients and is updated through upgrade projects. A web-based ERP runs in the browser, is updated centrally and usually has an open API. Digital WorkMate is fully web based (desktop, mobile app, terminal and Outlook from one platform) and has nothing to install except the optional Monitor for machine connection; new features arrive without an upgrade project. A traditional ERP fits better if you have hard requirements for hosting on your own servers.
What to look for when choosing
- Is there nothing to install, and does it work on desktop, mobile and shop floor terminal?
- Do new features arrive by themselves, or does every release cost an upgrade project?
- Is there an open, documented API with modern authentication for your own integrations?
- Are customer environments separated and can rights be set per role?
- Do you have a hard requirement for hosting on your own servers? Discuss that up front.
One platform, nothing to install
Desktop, mobile app, terminal and Outlook run from the same cloud platform. Only the optional Monitor for machine connection is installed.
Updating without an upgrade project
An automated build and test pipeline delivers new features with quarterly release notes, without you having to plan an upgrade.
Open integration
A typed API with OAuth 2.0 and API keys per feature. See the API & integrations page for what is there and what is not.
What Digital WorkMate offers for this today
For each part you can see whether it is fully or partially available.
- Cloud SaaS, browser and mobileAvailable
Fully web based: desktop, mobile app, terminal and Outlook from one platform; nothing to install except the optional Monitor.
- Continuous deliveryAvailable
Automated build and test pipeline and quarterly release notes; new features without an upgrade project.
- REST API with OAuth 2.0 and API keysAvailable
Typed API with a generated client, OAuth 2.0 (authorization code and client credentials) and API keys per feature.
- Multi-tenant with sitesAvailable
Separated customer environments, multiple sites per customer and currency per account.
- Roles, rights and audit trailAvailable
Roles per object, rights per feature and a timeline of changes per record.
Web-based or traditional ERP: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between cloud ERP and web-based ERP?
In practice people mean the same thing: the system runs in the browser and is hosted and updated by the vendor. Do ask every vendor how updates and custom work are handled.
Can Digital WorkMate run on our own servers?
Digital WorkMate is designed as a cloud platform. If you have a hard requirement for hosting on your own servers, discuss that before you go further.
Related pages
See Digital WorkMate in action
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.