Software Factory

What Software Factory does

Software Factory GmbH, founded in 1992 in Garching bei München as a spin-off of the Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (iwb) at the Technical University of Munich, is a privately held German industrial software services firm employing approximately 40 people. The company develops customised software solutions for the digitalisation of product development, production, and data-based services for industrial enterprises — primarily large and mid-to-large manufacturers in automotive, machinery and plant engineering, industrial automation, energy, and adjacent verticals. Its core offerings are built around the PTC technology stack, including PTC Creo (design automation), PTC Windchill (PLM, with a proprietary SF Migration Factory for data migrations), ThingWorx (industrial IoT), Kepware (industrial connectivity), Vuforia (augmented reality), as well as its own customised MES software and Digital Product Passport (DPP) solutions based on the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) standard.

Software Factory monetises almost entirely through bespoke professional services — consulting, technology introduction, system integration, custom development, migration projects, and training — sold via direct enterprise sales engagement. A freemium suite called SF Freetools (free PTC Creo add-ons such as ISOTOL, FeatureCount, GEN2PRT, PARAM) functions as top-of-funnel demand generation feeding the consulting pipeline. The customer base is unusually deep for the firm's size, featuring logos such as BMW, Bosch, Siemens, Audi, Carl Zeiss, John Deere, Komatsu, Liebherr, MAN, Siemens Energy, Schneider Electric, ABB, Sanofi-Aventis, TÜV SÜD, and ZF Lifetec. The firm also operates a long-standing US channel via its 20+ year partnership with Felco Solutions and a sister company, ITQ GmbH (established 1998), focused on mechatronics consulting. Leadership transitioned in August 2025 with the appointment of Christian Krasenbrink as Managing Director for Software Engineering alongside co-founder Managing Directors Thomas Trägler and Dr Rainer Stetter.

Name

Software Factory

Legal name

Software Factory GmbH

Website

http://www.sf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Software Factory GmbH, founded 1992 in Munich, develops bespoke industrial software for product development, production and digital services, specialising in the PTC ecosystem (Creo, Windchill, ThingWorx), MES, and Digital Product Passport solutions for German and European industrial enterprises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Software Development

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Software Engineering & Application Modernization (BPAHAEAD), Embedded Software & Firmware Tools (Compilers, Debug, RTOS tooling) (HDAHAFAE)

Keywords

• Custom software development
• Industrial digitalization
• PLM consulting
• Industrial IoT solutions
• Manufacturing execution systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Software Development: Bespoke software solutions precisely tailored to customer processes, systems and business models. Revenue generated through consulting and development projects from requirements analysis through implementation.
2. Technology Integration and PLM Services: Introduction and integration of modern software platforms including PTC Creo, PTC Windchill, Industrial IoT platforms, and MES systems. Revenue from implementation, customisation, and ongoing support services.
3. Training and Events: Creo Toolkit and J-Link (OTK Java Free) training programmes for PTC Creo Parametric, delivered as scheduled public courses. Additional webinars and expert talks on digital transformation topics.
4. SF Freetools (Free Add-ons): Free PTC Creo add-on applications distributed at no charge as a demand-generation tool to introduce Software Factory capabilities and generate consulting project opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Software Factory develops customized, requirements-oriented software solutions for industrial digitalization. The company implements and integrates PTC Creo and Windchill PLM platforms, Industrial IoT platforms (ThingWorx, Kepware, Vuforia), customized MES software, Digital Product Passport solutions, and bespoke individual software that connects ERP, MES, and machine control systems into end-to-end IT landscapes for industrial customers.

Product overview

Software Factory develops customized software solutions for industrial digitalization. The portfolio consists of multiple distinct products and service lines organized around the digital value chain: (1) SF Creo Freetools — free add-on applications for PTC Creo covering tolerance tables, design element analysis, assembly structure correction, family table resolution, and parameter management; (2) PTC Creo Design Automation — CAD design automation; (3) PTC Windchill PLM — PLM system implementation and customization, supplemented by the SF Migration Factory for data migrations; (4) Industrial IoT Platform — encompassing ThingWorx (machine networking and analytics), Kepware (industrial data communication), and Vuforia (augmented reality for maintenance, service, and training); (5) Smart Production — comprising MES software for real-time production control and Digital Product Passport for EU regulatory compliance; (6) Custom Software Development — bespoke solutions integrating ERP, MES, and machine controls; and (7) IT Performance & Operations — IT service management and infrastructure consulting. The company operates primarily as a technology partner and custom software developer rather than a single-platform product vendor.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SF Creo Freetools Free add-on plug-in applications for PTC Creo Parametric CAD software that extend the functional scope of existing CAD environments with analysis, automation, and standardization features.
• PTC Creo Design Automation Design automation solutions built on PTC Creo, extending CAD functionality for industrial design workflows.
• PTC Windchill PLM Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions based on PTC Windchill, covering system implementation, customization, add-ons, interfaces, automation, and operation and updates.
• Industrial IoT Platform Industrial IoT platform solutions for networking machines, sensors, products, and IT systems, providing real-time production data acquisition, monitoring, and analysis. Encompasses ThingWorx, Kepware, and Vuforia.
• MES Software Customized Manufacturing Execution System software for real-time production control, monitoring, and optimization, integrating machines, ERP, and production data into a unified platform.
• Digital Product Passport (DPP) Digital Product Passport solution for product lifecycle data transparency, including concept workshops, regulatory categorization, data/process/system analysis, scalable DPP architecture development, and pilot implementation integrated into ERP, PLM, MES, and production systems.
• Individual Software / Custom Software Development Custom software development services for industrial applications, enabling seamless integration of existing systems such as ERP, MES, and machine controls into a unified, efficient IT landscape.
• SF Migration Factory for PTC Windchill Specialized migration service for PTC Windchill environments covering CAD and eBOM/mBOM data migrations, with over 120 migration projects completed.
• IT Performance & Operations IT service management for stable and secure IT operations, covering IT infrastructure analysis, structured process development, monitoring, maintenance, and system administration.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120+ migration projects completed in PTC Windchill environment
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers24 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Felco SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2025Felco Solutions is a long-standing USA business partner with whom Software Factory has been working together successfully for over 20 years, building a trusting and friendly partnership. J.D. Felkins from Felco Solutions visited Software Factory's office in Garching to present current projects and provide insights into the US market. The partnership focuses on joint development and exchange of ideas.
• ITQ GmbHcoreOthersITQ GmbH is a sister company established in 1998 as a spin-off of Software Factory. It serves as a competent partner for mechatronics in mechanical and plant engineering, offering consulting, support and implementation of software projects. For over 20 years, the independent company has stood for mechatronic engineering and interdisciplinary project management, focusing on software and automation technology in machines as well as systematic software engineering processes in mechanical engineering. Together, Software Factory and ITQ GmbH offer customers a holistic approach to customised tasks.
• PTC (Parametric Technology Corporation)coreTechnology or IntegrationSoftware Factory is a technology partner for PTC software platforms including PTC Creo (Design Automation) and PTC Windchill (PLM). The company develops add-on applications, provides training, performs system migrations and offers customisation services for the PTC ecosystem. Their expertise includes Creo Toolkit, J-Link, and Windchill customisation with 120+ migration projects.
• PTC ThingWorxcoreTechnology or IntegrationSoftware Factory implements ThingWorx industrial IoT platform for customers, enabling rapid development of solutions for networked products, machines and production systems. ThingWorx is used for smart factory monitoring, condition monitoring, remote service and data-based business models.
• Kepware (PTC)coreTechnology or IntegrationSoftware Factory implements Kepware industrial data communication platform, connecting machines and systems with modern IT systems and enabling the secure recording and integration of production data.
• Vuforia (PTC)coreTechnology or IntegrationSoftware Factory implements Vuforia augmented reality platform for industrial applications, providing augmented reality solutions for maintenance, training and service with visual information in real time.
• Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoftware Factory collaborated with ZSW in a research project to realise a battery pass concept, gaining practical implementation experience in the Digital Product Passport environment.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CENIT: Stuttgart-headquartered consulting and software firm focused on PLM, CAD and digital enterprise, with a long-standing PTC partnership. Direct competitor for PTC Creo/Windchill implementation and migration work in DACH.
• msg systems: Large German independent software and consulting group serving industrial and automotive customers with PLM, MES, IIoT and digital-factory offerings. Comparable in serving DACH industrial digitalisation projects.
• CONTACT Software: Bremen-based PLM and digital-twin software vendor with a strong DACH industrial customer base. Adjacent in PLM/MES scope; competes for similar customisation and integration budgets.
• PRODYNA: German-rooted IT consultancy with an industrial digitalisation practice, including MES, IoT and cloud application development. Overlaps with Software Factory's custom software and integration scope.
• XPLM Solution: PLM and IoT consulting specialist with deep PTC Windchill and ThingWorx implementation expertise. Closely comparable on PLM migration and IIoT integration services.

Broad incumbents

• Scheer: German process and IT consulting group covering digital transformation, integration and industrial software. Larger and broader than Software Factory but overlaps on enterprise industrial-IT projects.
• Accenture Industry X: Global system integrator's industrial digital manufacturing practice covering PLM, MES, IIoT and digital twin. Competes for large DACH industrial transformation programmes.
• Tata Consultancy Services: Global IT services major with established PTC partnership and large-scale industrial digital engineering delivery. Competes on price and scale for major transformation deals.
• Infosys: Global SI with a manufacturing and IoT practice serving European industrial OEMs. Overlaps with Software Factory on MES, PLM and digital factory programmes.

Others

• ITQ GmbH: Sister company of Software Factory since 1998, focused on mechatronics and software engineering for machinery and plant engineering. Operates alongside rather than against Software Factory and is often delivered jointly.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sf_garching
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCUDL73p5r0E7KB97HTFAutg
• Facebookfacebook.com/SFGarching
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/software-factory
• Instagraminstagram.com/sf_garching

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Software Factory