GWS

What GWS does

GWS Gesellschaft für Warenwirtschafts-Systeme mbH is a German IT company founded in 1992 and headquartered in Münster, specializing in ERP and business management solutions for the wholesale trade sector. The company develops and sells the gevis SUITE, a modular platform built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Business Central for SMBs and Finance & Supply Chain Management for international enterprises), augmented by proprietary modules including gevis BI (Power BI integration), gevis CRM, gevis ECM (document management), gevis CONNECT (interfaces including LVS, EDI, route planning), and gevis COMMERCE | FORESIGHT (B2B e-commerce via Shopware). GWS holds all six Microsoft Solutions Partner Designations as of 2026, is a member of the Microsoft Business Applications Inner Circle (top 1% of Dynamics partners globally), and operates a corporate group with subsidiaries connectiv!, DIACOM, and faveo.

The company serves wholesale and trade businesses across 11 vertical segments in the DACH region, including agricultural trade, automotive aftermarket, building materials, SHK (sanitary, heating, air conditioning), steel trading, technical trade, wholesale food, painting and decorating, hospitality, sports/events, and central regulator organizations. Revenue is generated through four streams: subscription licensing of gevis ERP and add-on modules, implementation and professional services, ongoing managed services, and module subscriptions for BI, CRM, ECM, and commerce capabilities. GWS distributes primarily through direct enterprise sales, supplemented by the E/D/E buying group channel, regional implementation partners, and Microsoft co-sell motions, with marketing concentrated on industry events (Branchentage, K5, E/D/E Branchentreff), webinars, and content across its blog and social channels. Named customers span SMBs (Fassbender Tenten, Brickwedde, Büttner Industrietechnik) to mid-market (M.Bach, Aug. Heseding, Soennecken eG, Handelskontor Seevetal) and select enterprise accounts (Borussia Dortmund), with E/D/E member companies representing a meaningful channel-driven segment in technical trade.

Name

GWS

Legal name

GWS Gesellschaft für Warenwirtschafts-Systeme mbH

Website

https://gws.ms

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

GWS is a German IT company that delivers the modular gevis ERP suite, built on Microsoft Dynamics 365, to wholesale and trade businesses across the DACH region, with deep specialization in 11 industry verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

ERP Software for Wholesale Trade

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Core ERP Suites (Financials, Procurement, Projects) (HDAEAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industry-Specific Low-Code Platforms (Vertical App Platforms) (HDAEAKAL), Enterprise Application License Advisory, Vendor Management & Optimization (BPAEAGAO), Enterprise Service Management (ESM) Platforms (HDAEALAB)

Keywords

• Wholesale ERP software
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner
• Merchandise management systems
• B2B wholesale trade solutions
• ERP implementation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Münster

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ERP Software Licensing: Sale and licensing of gevis ERP software solutions to wholesale businesses, offered in two tiers (Business for SMBs, Enterprise for international companies) based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 platforms. Revenue is generated through perpetual licenses and/or subscription arrangements.
2. Implementation & Professional Services: Consulting, project implementation, and training services accompanying ERP deployments, including system configuration, data migration, and go-live support.
3. Managed Services: Ongoing managed services for active, continuous support of customer IT infrastructure operations, providing proactive monitoring and maintenance.
4. Module Subscriptions (BI, CRM, ECM, Commerce): Additionalgev module licenses for Business Intelligence, CRM, document management, and e-commerce capabilities, sold as add-on modules to the core ERP platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

GWS develops, sells and implements the gevis SUITE — a modular ERP and business management platform purpose-built for wholesale and trade companies. The platform is built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Business Central for SMBs, Finance & Supply Chain Management for enterprise) and includes proprietary modules for ERP, BI, CRM, ECM document management and B2B e-commerce, complemented by implementation, managed services and training.

Product overview

GWS offers gevis SUITE, a modular ERP system architecture comprising core product gevis ERP with specialized add-on modules including gevis BI (business intelligence with Power BI), gevis CRM (customer relationship management), gevis COMMERCE | FORESIGHT (B2B e-commerce via Shopware), gevis ECM (document management), and gevis CONNECT (interfaces and integrations). The platform is built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Business Central for SMBs, Finance & Supply Chain Management for enterprise) and extends with Microsoft Power Platform, Modern Workplace, Azure cloud infrastructure, and AI-powered solutions including Microsoft 365 Copilot. The company provides managed services, customer support, and training as accompanying services. Industry-specific solutions cover agricultural trade, automotive aftermarket, building materials, central regulation, hotels, SHK wholesale, sports/events, steel trading, technical trade, wholesale food, and painting/decoration sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• gevis SUITE: Modular IT solutions including ERP, BI, CRM, ECM, COMMERCE, and CONNECT modules for wholesale businesses
• gevis ERP
• gevis BI
• gevis CRM
• gevis ECM
• gevis CONNECT
• gevis COMMERCE
• gevis COMMERCE | FORESIGHT

Products and services

• gevis ERP Modular ERP platform for wholesale and trade companies, built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Business Central or Finance & Supply Chain Management), covering procurement, inventory, sales, finance and operations with industry-specific templates.
• gevis BI Business Intelligence module for evaluation, analysis and presentation of business KPIs, leveraging bi1 and Power BI on ERP data, sold as an add-on subscription to gevis ERP.
• gevis CRM Customer relationship management module supporting marketing, sales and service activities with a 360-degree view of the customer lifecycle, integrated with gevis ERP.
• gevis COMMERCE | FORESIGHT B2B e-commerce shop solution combining GWS's wholesale industry expertise with Shopware's technological platform, featuring deep ERP integration for real-time pricing, availability and order processing.
• gevis ECM Document management and archive system with scanning, automatic data recognition (OCR), digital file creation, workflows and audit-compliant archiving, integrated with gevis ERP.
• gevis CONNECT Interface and partner integration layer for the ERP system, including LVS (warehouse management), EDI, route planning and complementary third-party solution integrations.
• Modern Workplace Mobile working and digital collaboration solutions based on Microsoft 365, including Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive and Microsoft 365 Copilot for flexible workplace transformation.
• Cloud & Security Cloud computing platform services using Microsoft Azure providing scalable, secure infrastructure for ERP operations and digital transformation, combined with security solutions.
• Microsoft Power Platform Innovation platform comprising Power BI, Power Apps and Power Automate for enterprise-level innovation, process automation and custom application development, sold as an integrated offering with gevis ERP.
• Innovation / AI Solutions Future-oriented AI solutions incorporating Microsoft 365 Copilot, AI-powered process automation, Atlassian Rovo Virtual Service Agents and AI-driven analytics, sold as consulting and implementation offerings.
• Managed Services Active, continuous managed support service for customer IT infrastructure operations, providing proactive monitoring, maintenance and management of gevis ERP systems.
• Training Sessions Microsoft Dynamics training programs for employee skill development and customer education on gevis ERP, BI, CRM and module capabilities.
• Customer Support Technical customer support services delivered through an Atlassian Jira Service Management portal with AI-powered Virtual Service Agents for efficient inquiry handling.
• nextPIM Integration (PIM Solution) Product Information Management (PIM) solution integrated with gevis ERP, co-developed with nextPIM to enable comprehensive product data management for wholesale customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• GWS achieved Microsoft Inner Circle status, placing the company in the top 1% of Microsoft Dynamics partners globally (2021/2022)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration20 records

AI capability8 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2006Long-standing strategic technology partnership dating to 2006. GWS is a Microsoft Solutions Partner with all six Solutions Partner Designations, holds nine Gold and one Silver competencies, is a member of the Microsoft Business Applications Inner Circle (top 1% of partners globally), and has achieved the Small and Midsize Management Advanced Specialization. GWS builds its gevis ERP solutions on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Finance & Supply Chain Management platforms, running on Azure cloud infrastructure.
• ShopwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationGWS partnered with Shopware to power gevis COMMERCE | FORESIGHT, combining GWS's wholesale industry expertise with Shopware's e-commerce technology platform to deliver a B2B shop solution with deep ERP integration.
• connectiv! eSolutions GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership formalized June 22, 2018, combining GWS's gevis ERP and connectiv!'s Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement/CRM expertise. Jointly enables seamless connection between ERP and CRM systems, bundling industry expertise, tools, and experience to optimize customer business processes.
• E/D/E (Einkaufskontor des Produktionsverbindungshandels)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorE/D/E is a key channel partner through which GWS reaches numerous member companies in the technical trade and production connection trade sectors. GWS participates in E/D/E events and provides ERP solutions (including eDC article master data integration) to members.
• nextPIMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership announced August 2025 to combine GWS and nextPIM competencies, aiming to provide comprehensive support to customers across all IT areas.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• KUMAVISION: KUMAVISION is a DACH-focused Microsoft Dynamics partner offering industry-specific ERP solutions (including for wholesale and manufacturing) on Dynamics 365 Business Central and Finance & Supply Chain Management. It competes directly with GWS in vertical ERP for SMB and mid-market customers.
• COSMO CONSULT: COSMO CONSULT is a large European Microsoft Dynamics partner specializing in industry-specific ERP and CRM solutions across manufacturing, wholesale, and professional services. It competes with GWS for Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP deployments in DACH wholesale verticals.
• proALPHA: proALPHA is a leading midmarket ERP vendor in DACH serving industrial mid-market customers including technical trade and manufacturing wholesalers. It competes with GWS in wholesale and adjacent verticals for ERP modernization projects.
• PSI Software: PSI Software develops vertical ERP and supply chain management software for production, retail, and wholesale/logistics in DACH. It competes with GWS in steel, metals, and wholesale distribution segments where GWS offers gevis ERP for steel trading.
• BE-terna: BE-terna is a European Microsoft Dynamics partner delivering industry-specific ERP and CRM solutions across manufacturing, wholesale, and services. It competes with GWS in mid-market Dynamics ERP deployments in DACH and broader EMEA.
• ORBIS AG: ORBIS is a Microsoft Dynamics partner in DACH delivering ERP, CRM, and digital transformation services to manufacturing and wholesale customers. It directly competes with GWS for Dynamics 365 ERP projects in German-speaking mid-market.
• SIEVERS-GROUP: SIEVERS-GROUP is a Microsoft Dynamics partner offering industry-specific ERP and CRM solutions for wholesale, manufacturing, and services in DACH. It competes directly with GWS in mid-market Dynamics deployments.

Broad incumbents

• Allgeier: Allgeier is a large German IT services and software group with Microsoft Dynamics ERP practices serving wholesale and retail. As a broader, publicly listed incumbent, it competes with GWS for Dynamics implementation deals at enterprise scale.
• Microsoft (Dynamics 365): Microsoft Dynamics 365 is the underlying ERP/CRM platform on which GWS builds gevis SUITE. While Microsoft does not typically sell vertical ERP directly, it controls platform economics, ISV programs, and increasingly ships industry templates that compete with partners like GWS.

Emerging players

• Atoss Software: Atoss Software is a German provider of workforce management and ERP-adjacent software serving wholesale, retail, and logistics. While its core focus is workforce management, it overlaps with GWS in digitalization solutions for trade-sector customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/GWSTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/gws.muenster
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gws-gesellschaft-f%C3%BCr-warenwirtschafts-systeme-mbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/gws_futuretalents
• Xx.com/GWS_Muenster

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GWS