pds

What pds does

pds GmbH is a German software vendor founded in 1974 and headquartered in Rotenburg (Wümme), Lower Saxony, that develops ERP software and mobile applications for trades and construction companies (Handwerk). Its core platform, pds Software, is a modular, cloud-capable ERP that covers quotation and costing, purchasing and e-commerce, inventory and warehouse management, resource planning, service and maintenance, measurement and billing, time tracking, document management, and project performance; optional add-on modules cover financial management (Finanzwesen) and human resources including Baulohn (construction payroll). The vendor extends the platform through a suite of mobile apps (Service, Projekt, Lager, Mitarbeiter, Material, Werkzeugverwaltung) and a Multi-Cloud layer that integrates third-party capabilities such as the Hey Telo AI telephone assistant, Offpaper AI form creation, and the Jobcluster applicant management system. The company is privately held (GmbH), serves 3,000+ trades companies and 52,000+ users across Germany in verticals including SHK, electrical and building technology, photovoltaics/solar, refrigeration, painting, flooring, and roofing, and distributes exclusively through a network of 10 regional pds Partners at 20 locations. Revenue is generated through subscription licensing of software and cloud services, supplemented by professional services and training through pds Akademie at eleven nationwide locations; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Recent strategic emphasis is on AI-augmented workflows (Invoice Reader, Hey Telo), regulatory compliance for Germany's 2025 e-invoicing mandate (ZUGFeRD, XRechnung, Peppol), and wholesale partnerships (Obeta Platinum Partner, Mainmetall Digital+ Partner, WÜRTH software partner since 2025).

Name

pds

Legal name

pds GmbH

Website

https://pds.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

pds GmbH is a German software vendor providing cloud-capable ERP software, mobile apps, and AI-integrated workflow tools for trades and construction companies, distributed via a regional partner network across Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trades ERP Software

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821), Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services (54121)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), 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

Human Capital Management (HCM) & Payroll Platforms (HDAEAEAJ), Managed Workplace Services (DaaS/Workplace-as-a-Service) (BPAEAIAA)

Keywords

• Trades ERP software
• Construction business software
• Craftsman software solutions
• Cloud ERP for trades
• Mobile field service apps

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotenburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: pds Software is offered as a cloud-capable ERP solution. The company provides both cloud-based (pds Cloud) and on-premise deployment options. Pricing appears to be subscription-based with different modules for various business functions.
2. Training and Academy Services: pds Akademie offers seminars and workshops at eleven nationwide locations, both in-person and as online training sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

pds provides cloud-capable ERP software, mobile field-service apps, and cloud infrastructure specifically designed for German trade and construction businesses (Handwerkersoftware). The platform covers the complete process chain from quotation and costing, digital procurement, inventory management, resource planning, service and maintenance, measurement and billing through to financial accounting, payroll, construction payroll (Baulohn), and e-invoicing compliance.

Product overview

pds offers a modular ERP platform for trade and construction businesses with three core components: pds Software (the on-premise/cloud-capable ERP), pds Cloud (manufacturer-hosted cloud infrastructure), and pds Mobilität (suite of mobile apps). The pds Software core covers Handwerk (trade management) with modules for Angebot und Kalkulation (quotation/costing), Aufmaß und Abrechnung (measurement/billing), CRM und Telefonie (CRM/telephony), Einkauf und E-Commerce (purchasing/e-commerce), Lagerverwaltung (inventory), Mahn- und Zahlwesen (dunning/payments), Ressourcenplanung (resource planning), Projektakte und Dokumentenverwaltung (document management), Projektleistung und Regie (project performance), Schnittstellen (interfaces), Service- und Wartungsmanagement (service/maintenance), and Stunden- und Zeiterfassung (time tracking). The platform extends via the Finanzwesen module (fixed assets, dashboards, cost accounting, accounting, contracts) and Personalwesen module (payroll, personnel files, construction payroll, recruiting). The Mobilität suite includes dedicated apps for Service, Projekte/Bautagebuch, Arbeitszeiten/Urlaub, Material, Lager, Werkzeuge/Geräte, and Personen/Dokumente. pds also provides Multi-Cloud add-ons: Hey Telo (AI phone assistant), Offpaper (form creation), and Jobcluster (recruiting).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• pds Software (Handwerkersoftware) Cloud-capable ERP software designed for trade and construction businesses covering quotation/costing, digital purchasing, inventory management, resource planning, service/maintenance, measurement/billing, time tracking, and optional full financial and HR modules including construction payroll (Baulohn). Targets small, mid-market and enterprise trades companies across SHK, electrical, solar, refrigeration, painting, flooring, and roofing verticals.
• pds Cloud Manufacturer-hosted cloud infrastructure by pds with data center in Germany, highest security standards, multi-protected power supply, flexible and cost-efficient scaling, first-class availability and support, and data protection compliance. Sold as the deployment option for pds Software and supporting pds apps.
• pds Kasse (POS) Point-of-sale system for recording merchandise sales with payment processing and receipt issuance, including hardware bundle (tablet/all-in-one PC, printer, cash drawer, display). Integrates with pds Software for article and customer database access; targeted at trade and construction retailers.
• pds Akademie Training and e-learning service offering seminars and workshops at eleven nationwide locations, plus online training sessions, for users of pds Software and the pds apps. Targeted at new and existing customers needing certification and user proficiency.

Quantifiable outcome

• 52,000+ users work daily with pds Software
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration18 records

AI capability9 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DATEV eGcoreTechnology or IntegrationDATEV interfaces allow connection to tax consultants and accountants. pds Software supports DATEV Buchungsdatenservice for digital transfer of booking data and document images between trades companies and tax advisors.
• GC-GruppecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading SHK wholesale group with multiple locations. pds participates in GC-Gruppe's Neuheitenschauen (innovation showcases) and maintains integration for efficient ordering processes.
• MainmetallcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading wholesaler for bathroom installations, installation, heating and metalwork supplies. pds was awarded as Digital+ Partner by Mainmetall, recognizing excellence in digital integration.
• Obeta (Oskar Böttcher GmbH & Co. KG)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading electrical wholesaler in Germany. pds has been Premiumpartner (Platinum Partner) for trades software since 2021, recognized for excellent partnership and service quality.
• Digitalbox Premium PartnerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributorpds is Digitalbox Premium Partner for Handwerkersoftware.
• WÜRTHcoreTechnology or Integrationpds became software partner of WÜRTH in 2025, enabling efficient material ordering processes for trades companies.
• Hey TelocoreTechnology or IntegrationAI telephone assistant provider integrated into pds Software. Connects call handling, follow-up processing and service processes for seamless workflows in trades businesses.
• OffpapercoreTechnology or IntegrationForm creation solution without programming. Integration with pds Software enables digital protocols, checklists and damage reports through AI-supported form creation.
• Fachverband SHK NiedersachsenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSHK association in Lower Saxony. pds appeared on their 'Streng hydraulisch' podcast to discuss digital office processes in SHK trades.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• sevDesk: sevDesk is a Stuttgart-based cloud accounting and invoicing platform for SMBs. Although not Handwerk-specialized, it increasingly overlaps with pds Finanzwesen on DATEV-bound accounting workflows for trade companies.
• Handwerk.pro / Werkstatt-Apps: Handwerk.app is a mobile-first Handwerk software targeting smaller trades and field-service workflows. It competes with pds's Mobilität suite in the same digitization-of-field-service conversation, often pricing below pds's full ERP tier.
• Craftboxx: Craftboxx is a cloud-based Handwerk-software focused on CRM, project management and field service for small trades. It targets the same digital-native trades segment that pds addresses with its mobile-app strategy.

Direct peers

• Haufe-Lexware (Lexware handwerk): Lexware handwerk is a leading German Handwerkersoftware covering offer, order, invoice, payroll/Baulohn with DATEV integration — directly comparable to pds Handwerk and a frequent head-to-head competitor in the German trades SMB segment.
• Stotax GmbH: Stotax offers handwerk-specific ERP with strong DATEV/Baulohn focus and an SMB-channel GTM in Germany. It directly overlaps pds's trade ERP + accounting positioning and competes for the same small/medium Handwerk customer profile.
• Powerbird: Powerbird provides German Handwerkersoftware with a focus on SHK, building-services and construction payroll/Baulohn. It is comparable to pds in vertical specialization, customer size and partner-led distribution in Germany.
• Sage GmbH (Sage Handwerk): Sage Handwerk is one of the largest German Handwerkersoftware/ERP suites with broad cross-vertical SMB appeal. It competes head-on with pds for trades ERP seats and treasury/billing modules, though it is a much larger horizontal player.

Broad incumbents

• Weclapp: Weclapp is a German cloud-ERP/SRM/CRM suite targeting SMBs across verticals including trades. It is a broader platform player encroaching on pds's territory, offering similar quote/invoice/project functionality with a modern cloud-native UX.
• Odoo: Odoo is a global open-source ERP platform with localized German modules (accounting, construction, field service) and a partner channel. It is an indirect competitor offering modular ERP that SMBs can configure into a trades solution.

Others

• DATEV eG: DATEV provides tax-advisor-facing accounting and payroll infrastructure and is a critical infrastructure partner for pds via DATEV-Schnittstellen. It is an ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor; its evolving APIs shape pds's integration strategy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pds_GmbH
• Facebookfacebook.com/pdsGmbH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pds-gmbh---eine-software-voraus

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 pds