Imagine this: one customer request, one bill of materials, one process. But in reality? The manufacturing industry often runs on five systems, ten meetings and a whole lot of Excel. That could be better, thought entrepreneur Hans. He founded Starcode – a modular ERP platform for the manufacturing industry that actually connects to the day-to-day reality of machine builders.
“We don't want to be an outside software company, but a manufacturer for manufacturers,” says Hans in the latest episode of the Industrie Online Podcast.
From frustration to innovation
For many companies, the coronavirus pandemic was a moment of reflection. That was true for Hans as well. After twenty years in the manufacturing industry, he kept seeing the same bottlenecks recur:
- Difficult planning
- Fragmented bills of materials
- Disconnected systems
- And above all: endless amounts of administration
“It felt like you were spending more time searching for information than actually building the machine.”
Those insights gave rise to Starcode: software that supports the entire chain – from quotation to service – within one modular solution. Not a total solution set in stone, but flexibly built up per process.
What makes Starcode different?
Starcode's strength lies in the combination of in-depth sector knowledge and a modular architecture.
“We started from the customer's question: what kind of machine do you want to buy from me? And everything behind that – from configuration and engineering to purchasing and service – follows logically from there.”
Starcode supports:
- Product configuration and PDM
- Bill of materials management and cost calculation
- Planning, purchasing and production
- Service and aftercare
This removes the need to combine separate tools or transfer data manually. Everything is centralised, connected and reusable.
Excel isn't the enemy – but it isn't the future either
Although Excel is still the safety net for many planners, Starcode sees that as treating the symptoms.
“It's understandable that companies fall back on Excel,” says Hans. “But it's static and not connected to your real-time data. That means you can never really look ahead.”
By actually integrating planning, capacity management and material availability, Starcode can help companies move from ad-hoc to anticipatory. And that doesn't just save time – it also prevents mistakes.
AI that actually works: no hype, just help
Machine learning and AI are no longer a distant prospect. Starcode already applies this technology in practical applications:
- Engineering bots that help think through manufacturability
- CAD integrations that automatically provide cost estimates
- Digital assistants that combine information from multiple sources for smarter decisions
“The future? Fewer screens. Fewer clicks. More smart bots that automatically link and prepare information.”
Getting employees on board = software that feels logical
Digitalisation only really works when everyone can work more easily because of it – from sales to shop floor. That's why accessibility is a key priority within Starcode.
“An assembly worker should be able to start their work at the push of a button, see the right drawing and send a photo back to engineering. Without any training.”
That user logic – per role, per task – makes implementation not only easier but also more successful. The goal? Less resistance. More ownership.
What does success mean to Starcode?
Not the implementation itself, but the use of it.
“The best moment is when a customer is proud of what they've built themselves. When someone says: ‘Look, we set this up together and it works great.’”
That sense of partnership is what Starcode wants to convey: not just an ERP supplier, but a guide in the digital transition.
A guide in digital growth
Beyond being a software partner, Starcode also wants to be a source of inspiration. That's why the company invests heavily in knowledge sharing through blogs, workshops and – of course – podcasts.
“The average manufacturer doesn't have time to follow every hype. We help them filter: what's practical, what's valuable, what suits your growth stage?”
With a strong focus on machine building and production companies, Starcode positions itself as a specialist with sector-wide applicability.
Finally: one piece of advice for the manufacturing industry?
“Think beyond today. But stay practical. Digitalisation only works when you start small, with something that delivers value right away. And that's exactly where we're happy to help.”
Want to know more about Starcode? Visit www.starcode.nl