What Zeilenwerk does

Zeilenwerk GmbH is a Bern-based, employee-owned custom software development agency founded in 2014, serving Swiss enterprises, federal and cantonal government agencies, and regulated-industry operators across public sector, education, healthcare, logistics, and recycling/mandatory stock management. The firm designs and builds human-centered enterprise applications — most notably AMS (a digital evidence-management system for police covering seizure through disposal), Shelf (warehouse-management software for Elvetino), and HUB (training-documentation web app for Sensopro) — alongside bespoke projects for clients including BAFU, BSV, Galenica, BKW, HCI Solutions, Pro Juventute, Schweizer Jugendherbergen, Réservesuisse and Schweizer Salinen.

The technology foundation is a client-server architecture with Single Page Applications running on Next.js, TypeScript, Node.js, React, PostgreSQL, and Kubernetes, with an Open Source-first posture. Internal delivery efficiency is driven by the Zeilenwerk Foundation reference architecture, a modular framework of reusable Services, Adapters, and Packages that allows custom projects to start from proven components rather than from zero. Integrations span Salesforce and Pipedrive (CRM), Microsoft Azure (hosting for Elternbriefe Digital), and standards-based identity (OAuth 2.0, LDAP, MDM) for AMS deployments.

Commercially, Zeilenwerk operates a direct enterprise sales model with multi-year custom-development and managed-hosting contracts, supplemented by a partner network (Puzzle ITC, re:thinc, Begasoft, OPENGIS.ch, LerNetz, PwC, 89Grad) that provides capacity and adjacent capability for large transformations. The firm holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Swiss Made Software, and Swiss Digital Services certifications, and operates with no external funding under a self-set-salary, sociocratic governance model with ~25-30 employees.

Name

Zeilenwerk

Legal name

Zeilenwerk GmbH

Website

https://zeilenwerk.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Zeilenwerk is an employee-owned, Bern-based custom software agency building human-centered enterprise and government applications across public sector, education, healthcare, logistics, and recycling in Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Software Development Services

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Software Publishers (5132), Other Computer Related Services (541519)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Custom Application Development (Web/Mobile/Desktop) (BPAEAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Enterprise Application UX, Portals & Low-Code Extensions (BPAEAGAM)

Keywords

• Custom software development
• Enterprise application development
• Human-centered design
• Open source software
• Public sector software

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Software Development: Full-cycle custom software development services from analysis to operation. Individual software that simplifies complex processes and consistently puts humans at the center. Includes strategy consulting, UX design, development, and cloud operations.
2. Managed Hosting & Operations: Secure, stable, and sustainable application operations. DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, monitoring, and observability services. 24/7 support through partner Begasoft with ISO 27001 certification.
3. UX Design & Consulting: Enterprise UX services including user research, requirement engineering, UI design, prototyping, inclusive design, and organizational design systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Zeilenwerk develops custom enterprise and public-sector software applications in Bern, Switzerland, combining strategy consulting, Enterprise UX design, custom development, and managed cloud operations. Their offering rests on the proprietary Zeilenwerk Foundation reference architecture, which enables modular, open-source, reusable solutions that integrate with existing ERP and legacy systems. Named products include AMS (digital evidence management for law enforcement), Shelf (warehouse management), and HUB (training documentation), complemented by full-cycle professional services from feasibility studies through 24/7 operations.

Product overview

Zeilenwerk is a custom software development company offering individual enterprise applications through a hybrid approach combining standardized reference architecture (Zeilenwerk Foundation) with reusable modules. Their product portfolio includes core products like AMS (Asservatenmanagement-System) for digital evidence management, Shelf for warehouse management, and HUB for Sensopro training documentation. They provide comprehensive services spanning strategy and consulting, Enterprise UX design, custom software development, and cloud operations. The company specializes in complex domain applications for public sector, healthcare, logistics, recycling, and education sectors, emphasizing user-centered design, Open Source technologies, and modular architectures that integrate with existing enterprise systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shelf: Warehouse management software solution for logistics and inventory management, developed for Elvetino (SBB subsidiary).
• AMS (Asservatenmanagement)
• Zeilenwerk Foundation

Products and services

• AMS (Asservatenmanagement-System) Digital evidence management system that digitizes the complete evidence lifecycle from search warrant to disposal, including transport, storage, and valuation, with end-to-end tracing and QR-code-based inventory management, plus GEVER-standard document management. Supports OAuth 2.0, LDAP, and MDM integration for law enforcement and security organizations.
• Zeilenwerk Foundation Standardized reference architecture providing a clear starting point and technical vision for custom software projects, including reusable modules and a component ecosystem (Services, Adapters, Packages) that enables efficient development while maintaining flexibility and quality standards.
• Shelf Warehouse management software acting as the interface between people, inventory, and ERP systems, optimizing logistics processes directly at loading docks or trains with customized additions to existing standard systems. Reduces error rates and improves employee satisfaction.
• HUB (Sensopro) Intuitive web application for physiotherapy and fitness coaches that digitizes training documentation and individual workout sessions on the LUNA device, enabling more effective support for therapists and coaches.
• Strategy & Concept (Strategie & Konzeption) Feasibility studies, digital roadmap development, process consulting, and enterprise architecture planning services for organizations beginning custom software development engagements.
• Enterprise UX User research, requirement engineering, UI design, prototyping, inclusive design (WCAG-compliant), and organization-wide design system development for enterprise and government applications.
• Software Development (Software-Entwicklung) Custom application development, system integration, API development, data engineering, testing, and migration services for enterprise and public-sector clients, built on the Zeilenwerk Foundation reference architecture.
• Operations & Cloud (Betrieb & Cloud) DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, managed hosting, monitoring, observability, and security compliance services, with 24/7 support through partner Begasoft under ISO 27001 certification.

Quantifiable outcome

• Deep integration understanding across recycling, customs, and accounting systems based on years of domain experience
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LerNetzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational technology partnership combining didactics with technology. Together with LerNetz, Zeilenwerk delivers digital education solutions for corporate and public sector, from exam platforms to individual learning environments. LerNetz brings didactic excellence and deep understanding of learning processes; Zeilenwerk provides technological implementation.
• Puzzle ITCcoreTechnology or IntegrationOne of Switzerland's most renowned open-source specialists. Partnership combines Puzzle's expertise in complex Java and Ruby systems with Zeilenwerk's human-centered methodology and focus on Enterprise and Government UX. Jointly building specialist applications for public sector.
• re:thinccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for large transformation projects requiring capacity, seniority, and experience with complex system landscapes. Together, teams scale development power and deliver specialized applications with deep integration into existing systems from SAP to Microsoft Dynamics.
• BegasoftcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreferred operations partner for secure, reliable hosting. ISO 27001 certified with 24/7 support and Swiss hosting. Guarantees high availability of Zeilenwerk solutions and assumes responsibility for secure, stable operations.
• OPENGIS.chcoreTechnology or IntegrationLeading Swiss open-source geodata specialists. Their expertise in QGIS, QField, and spatial data architectures is combined with Zeilenwerk's application development and User Experience strengths. Jointly developing public sector applications and citizen portals with map integrations.
• RemotecodersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss non-profit organization forming high-performing development teams from experienced developers, talented refugees, and other vulnerable populations in Egypt. Provides access to European labor market without leaving home. Two such teams work at Zeilenwerk.
• PwCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStrategic partnership for police and security technology projects. While Zeilenwerk provides digital know-how and user-centered solutions, PwC handles implementation and professional PMO support.
• 89GradminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for CircularAbility - a think and do tank combining circular economy digitalization. Zeilenwerk and 89Grad jointly identify customer potential in circular economy and realize technical prototypes for market validation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• OPENGIS.ch: OPENGIS.ch is a Swiss open-source geodata specialist listed as a core Zeilenwerk partner, working on QGIS, QField, and spatial data. Jointly develops public-sector applications and citizen portals with map integrations — directly comparable niche.
• Puzzle ITC: Puzzle ITC is one of Switzerland's most renowned open-source specialists, headquartered in Bern. Listed as a core Zeilenwerk partner, it competes for the same Swiss public-sector and enterprise custom-application work, with complementary Java/Ruby expertise.
• Ergon Informatik: Ergon is a Swiss custom software house focused on complex enterprise and public-sector solutions. Comparable business model of employee ownership, Swiss quality focus, and deep engagement in regulated industries.
• re:thinc: re:thinc is a strategic partner providing senior capacity and large transformation project expertise for SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, and complex system landscapes. Comparable Swiss custom-software and integration focus.
• Begasoft: Begasoft is Zeilenwerk's preferred operations partner providing ISO 27001 certified 24/7 hosting and managed services. As a Swiss managed-services and hosting specialist, it is comparable on the operations/back-end side of the stack.
• LerNetz: LerNetz is a Swiss education-technology partner of Zeilenwerk combining didactics with technology to deliver digital learning and exam platforms. Comparable scale and segment focus on Swiss education/public-sector buyers.

Broad incumbents

• Ti&m: Ti&m is a Swiss digital transformation and software engineering firm serving banks, insurance, and public-sector clients. Comparable in offering custom software, UX, and managed services, but with a much larger headcount and broader enterprise footprint.
• Elca Informatique: ELCA is one of Switzerland's largest independent IT services providers, delivering custom software, IT management, and business solutions. Overlaps with Zeilenwerk on enterprise application development and managed services across Swiss regulated industries.
• Adnovum: Adnovum is a long-established Swiss IT services firm specializing in security, identity, and custom enterprise applications for banks and government. It competes for similar Swiss enterprise and federal accounts but at significantly larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Swisscom IT Services: Swisscom is Switzerland's dominant telecom and IT services provider, offering custom application development, cloud, and managed services to federal and large enterprise clients. A broad incumbent competing for the same Swiss public-sector digitalization budgets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInch.linkedin.com/company/zeilenwerk
• Xx.com/zeilenwerk

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Zeilenwerk