Softing
Softing AG is a German publicly listed provider of hardware and software for digital data exchange across automotive diagnostics, industrial automation (OPC UA, MQTT), and IT network cable testing, serving OEMs, manufacturers, and installers primarily in Europe and North America.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersNewburyport, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Softing does
Softing AG is a German public stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under ticker Z71, founded in 1979 and headquartered in Haar bei München. The company develops and sells hardware and software solutions for digital data exchange and information delivery, organized into three operating divisions: Automotive Electronics (diagnostic tools and communication platforms covering the full lifecycle of electronic control units from development through production to service, including the D-PDU API per ISO 22900-2), Industrial Automation (connectivity and middleware solutions such as the dataFEED OPC Suite that bridge field-level OT and enterprise IT using OPC UA, MQTT, and REST), and IT Networks (cable qualification, certification, and documentation measurement technology, including the Cable Master Series and the newly launched Cable Master PoE). Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales and software tools sold via direct field sales to enterprise customers in Germany, complemented by international distributor networks and a North American regional presence. The company employs more than 400 people across German headquarters and two Romanian R&D centers in Cluj-Napoca and Miercurea-Ciuc (operating as SoftingRom), and reported 2021 turnover exceeding 84 million EUR. Five wholly-owned German subsidiaries execute the three-division structure, and the company holds ISO 9001 and TISAX certifications relevant to its automotive supply chain positioning.
The go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, targeting automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, manufacturing enterprises, and IT network installers. Marketing channels include the corporate website, LinkedIn, XING, trade shows (e.g., HOKO), and video content, with a notable reference deployment at Sennheiser for centralized OEE reporting. Corporate governance follows the German two-tier model with an Executive Board led by CEO Dr. Wolfgang Trier alongside Ernst Homolka, and a separate Supervisory Board. Recent capital markets activity includes a 10% cash capital increase announced in March 2026 and an ongoing share buyback program, while 2026 corporate guidance points to recovery in core markets and a stated 20% growth target in the US for 2026 and 2027.
Softing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Softing
- Legal name
- Softing AG
- Website
- https://softing.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Softing AG is a German publicly listed provider of hardware and software for digital data exchange across automotive diagnostics, industrial automation (OPC UA, MQTT), and IT network cable testing, serving OEMs, manufacturers, and installers primarily in Europe and North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Softing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Communication and Measurement Technology
- NAICS
- Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)
- SIC
- Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ)
Keywords
Where Softing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newburyport
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Softing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware and Software Products: Softing generates revenue through the sale of hardware and software tools and specific solutions for automotive electronics, industrial automation, and IT networks. The company reported annual turnover of more than 84 million Euros in 2021.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Softing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Softing AG develops and sells hardware and software solutions for digital data exchange across three divisions. Automotive Electronics provides diagnostic tools and platforms spanning the full lifecycle of electronic control units (development through production to service). Industrial Automation delivers connectivity solutions and middleware (dataFEED OPC Suite, OPC UA, MQTT, REST) that bridge field-level devices and enterprise IT. IT Networks supplies measurement equipment (Cable Master Series and Cable Master PoE) for qualifying, certifying, and documenting cabling performance in IT systems, including Power-over-Ethernet installations.
Product overview
Softing is an internationally successful provider of hardware and software solutions organized into three divisions: Automotive Electronics (specializing in electronic control unit lifecycle from development through production to service), Industrial Automation (implementing digital data exchange in industrial applications from field level to IT), and IT Networks (measurement technology for qualifying, certifying, and documenting cabling performance in IT systems). The product portfolio includes cable testers like the Cable Master Series and Cable Master PoE, automotive diagnostic tools including the D-PDU API (ISO 22900-2), and industrial connectivity solutions such as the dataFEED OPC Suite.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PROFIgate: Registered trademark of Softing AG - industrial communication gateway product line
- Edic
- Edicmobil
- OBD4HDD
- INAT
- Netspector
- Echolink
- Echochange
- OPCpipe
- Cable Master
- hard&soft
Products and services
- Cable Master PoE A dedicated Power over Ethernet cable tester providing load testing of PoE power sources up to Class 8 / 90 W (PoE++), with a 3.5-inch color screen and graphical user interface; designed for technicians and installers to verify or troubleshoot PoE cabling installations including wireless access points, PoE switches, IP phones, and IP cameras.
- Cable Master Series Ethernet cable testers used to qualify, certify, and document the performance of cabling in IT systems, with variants including dedicated PoE testing capabilities.
- D-PDU API (ISO 22900-2) Diagnostic communication platform standardized as ISO 22900-2 providing vehicle diagnostic protocols and interfaces for the development, production, and service lifecycle of electronic control units.
- dataFEED OPC Suite Middleware solution enabling Industry 4.0 connectivity for industrial applications, providing secure and reliable communication services that connect enterprise IT and OT areas with cloud and on-premises systems using MQTT, OPC UA, and REST protocols.
Companies that use Softing
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Softing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Softing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Sennheiserreference customerSennheiser implemented a centralized OEE reporting system using Softing Industrial's connectivity solutions and the Bitmotec data platform to enhance manufacturing efficiency. The project was achieved without modifying existing control technology and aimed at demonstrating ROI for digitalization and IoT initiatives.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Softing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vector Informatik: Vector Informatik is a German specialist in automotive electronics development tools, ECU testing, and diagnostic solutions, directly overlapping Softing's Automotive Electronics division in OEM and Tier 1 markets.
- HMS Networks: HMS Networks is a Swedish-headquartered provider of industrial communication solutions (gateways, protocol conversion, OPC UA) of comparable mid-cap size, directly competing with Softing's dataFEED OPC Suite and Industrial Automation portfolio.
- Fluke Networks: Fluke Networks is a global leader in cable certification, qualification, and PoE testing equipment for IT infrastructure—directly comparable to Softing IT Networks' Cable Master Series.
- Cognex: Cognex provides industrial measurement, identification, and connectivity solutions to manufacturing customers—directly comparable to Softing Industrial's factory-floor data exchange and inspection offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Bosch: Bosch is a broad incumbent in automotive diagnostics and industrial automation, with diagnostic tester lines and large-scale Industry 4.0 offerings that overlap Softing's product footprint as part of a much wider portfolio.
- Siemens: Siemens' Industrial Automation portfolio (TIA Portal, OPC UA, MindSphere) competes head-on with Softing Industrial's connectivity solutions as part of a much larger automation ecosystem.
- National Instruments (NI): NI provides test, measurement, and control hardware/software for industrial and automotive applications—broadly overlapping Softing's IT Networks and automotive diagnostic test equipment.
- Keysight Technologies: Keysight is a global incumbent in electronic test and measurement instrumentation, with relevant overlap in cable qualification and electrical signal testing markets served by Softing IT Networks.
- Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation is a major industrial automation incumbent with FactoryTalk and connectivity offerings that overlap with Softing's OT/IT integration and OPC UA solutions as part of a broader portfolio.
Regional players
- Beckhoff Automation: Beckhoff is a German-headquartered industrial automation and PC-based control specialist whose TwinCAT platform and EtherCAT ecosystem compete with Softing's industrial connectivity products in the European market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Softing social profiles
Digital presenceSofting compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Softing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Softing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Softing subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Softing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Softing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Softing
What does Softing do?
Softing AG develops and sells hardware and software solutions for digital data exchange across three divisions. Automotive Electronics provides diagnostic tools and platforms spanning the full lifecycle of electronic control units (development through production to service). Industrial Automation delivers connectivity solutions and middleware (dataFEED OPC Suite, OPC UA, MQTT, REST) that bridge field-level devices and enterprise IT. IT Networks supplies measurement equipment (Cable Master Series and Cable Master PoE) for qualifying, certifying, and documenting cabling performance in IT systems, including Power-over-Ethernet installations.
Is Softing a public or private company?
Softing is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Softing founded?
Softing was founded in 1979. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Softing based?
Softing is headquartered in Newburyport, United States, in the North America region.
How does Softing make money?
One revenue line is on record: hardware and Software Products.
Who are Softing's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vector Informatik, HMS Networks, Fluke Networks and Cognex. Broad incumbents are Bosch, Siemens, National Instruments (NI), Keysight Technologies and Rockwell Automation. Beckhoff Automation is listed as a regional player.
Does Softing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Softing.
What industry is Softing in?
Softing's product category is Industrial Communication and Measurement Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAHAJ, Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian). Its NAICS code is 334519 and its SIC code is 3825.