What Bauer Software does

Bauer Software GmbH is a German privately held software company founded in 1986 and headquartered in Heppenheim, Germany, that develops BUILDUP, an integrated commercial project management suite for architects, engineers, and construction planners operating in the German market. The product covers the full administrative lifecycle of construction projects: AVA (tendering, awarding, billing), cost management per DIN 276, HOAI-compliant fee calculation and invoicing, time tracking and resource planning, digital construction diary, and BIM/IFC-based quantity extraction. BUILDUP is implemented as a native Windows desktop application without external runtime frameworks, using an application-server architecture that supports Firebird SQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and Oracle backends, with optional cloud deployment (BUILDUP cloud) and native execution on Apple Silicon via Windows 11 for ARM.

The company serves over 9,000 customers across Germany spanning architecture firms, civil and structural engineering practices, hospital networks, housing associations, municipalities, and corporate construction departments, with named enterprise logos including Deutsche Post Real Estate, Lufthansa, Charité CFM Facility Management, GESOBAU AG, Vivantes, SAGA-GWG, and Europa-Park. Go-to-market combines direct regional account management (covering defined German federal-state territories) with a product-led entry through a publicly priced, free 30-day full-featured trial that supports competitor data migration and a 30% switching discount. Revenue is generated through modular perpetual software licenses priced between EUR 100 and EUR 1,200 per module, a 20%-of-license annual maintenance subscription, monthly rental at 4% of list price, hosted BUILDUP cloud subscriptions, and paid training services.

Bauer Software is a family-owned company led by Managing Directors Jürgen Bauer and Ronald Klitsche and operates as a member of the Orca Group consortium of German construction software vendors. The company holds BVBS-certified GAEB DA XML 3.3 compliance, Microsoft Windows platform certifications, and DSGVO/GDPR-compliant cloud and AI infrastructure hosted on EU servers. A planned AI integration via Model Context Protocol (MCP) in BUILDUP Version 31 (autumn 2026) will introduce generative LV text creation, BIM-to-LV extraction, PDF bid-price ingestion, and HOAI fee plausibility checking directly within the application.

Name

Bauer Software

Legal name

BauerSoftware GmbH

Website

https://bauer-software.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bauer Software GmbH is a German privately held vendor of BUILDUP, an integrated AVA, cost management, HOAI fee billing, and project tracking suite used by more than 9,000 architects, engineers, public-sector bodies, and corporate construction departments across Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Heppenheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Perpetual Software Licenses: BUILDUP modules are sold as perpetual licenses with a one-time purchase price. Each module is priced individually (e.g., BUILDUP ausschreibung 1,200 EUR, BUILDUP kostenkontrolle 1,200 EUR, BUILDUP stunden 200 EUR). The concurrent-user licensing model allows installation on unlimited workstations with simultaneous user count limited to purchased licenses. Add-on modules range from 100 EUR to 1,200 EUR.
2. Software Maintenance (Softwarepflege): Annual software maintenance contract priced at 20% of the total license value per year. Includes all updates, service packs, and hotline support. Major annual updates plus interim service packs are provided free of charge within the maintenance contract. Without maintenance, customers retain perpetual use rights but do not receive new versions.
3. Software Rental: BUILDUP is available as a monthly rental at 4% of the net list price per month with a 3-month minimum term. Rental payments are credited at 50% toward a subsequent purchase.
4. Training Services: Individual and group training sessions (both in-person and online webinars) are offered as paid services. Training is offered to both new customers and existing users for ongoing education.
5. BUILDUP Cloud Hosting: BUILDUP cloud provides hosted server infrastructure managed by BauerSoftware. The service includes server hosting in Germany, daily backups, 99%+ uptime SLA, and multi-tenant isolated database setup. Priced as a subscription based on the number of users/modules. Eliminates the need for customers to operate their own server.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bauer Software develops BUILDUP, an integrated commercial and project management software suite for architects, engineers, and construction planners in Germany. The product covers the full lifecycle from tendering, awarding and billing (AVA), cost planning and control (DIN 276), HOAI-compliant fee calculation and invoicing, time tracking and resource management, digital construction diary, BIM/IFC-based quantity extraction, and SAP ERP integration. Modules are licensed individually (perpetual, concurrent-user model) with add-on modules for GAEB-certified interfaces, SAP, Microsoft Office, DATEV, and project exports.

Product overview

Bauer Software's primary product is BUILDUP, a comprehensive integrated project management and commercial software suite for the German construction industry. BUILDUP is a modular platform consisting of a core application with multiple add-on modules that can be purchased individually. The product family includes: BUILDUP ava (tendering, awarding, billing), BUILDUP kosten (cost management and control), BUILDUP hoai (HOAI fee calculation and billing), BUILDUP orga (time tracking and project controlling), BUILDUP cloud (cloud deployment), plus various add-on modules for GAEB interfaces, SAP integration, Microsoft Office integration, CAD/BIM import, and DATEV export. A separate free tool, the HOAI Schnellrechner (HOAI calculator), is also offered across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and browser platforms. Pricing is modular with individual module purchase; licenses use a concurrent-user model with 20% annual maintenance. An AI integration is planned for autumn 2026 via BUILDUP Version 31, with AI capabilities embedded directly in the program via an MCP interface.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BUILDUP: Integrated construction software suite for architects, engineers, and planners covering AVA (tendering/awarding/settlement), cost management, HOAI (honorarium calculation), time tracking, and construction diary modules.

Products and services

• BUILDUP Integrated project management and commercial software suite for architects, engineers, and construction planners, covering AVA (tendering/awarding/billing), cost management, HOAI fee calculation, time tracking, construction diary, and BIM/IFC integration via a single database with selectable modular add-ons; runs on Windows 10/11 and natively on Apple Silicon via Windows 11 ARM.
• BUILDUP ava Module suite covering tendering, awarding, and billing for architecture and engineering offices; includes the sub-modules ausschreibung, vergabe, abrechnung, bibliothek, and massen.
• BUILDUP kosten Cost management module suite including kostenplanung for cost estimation per DIN 276 and kostenkontrolle for invoice verification, cost tracking, and warranty management; integrates with BKI and sirAdos cost databases.
• BUILDUP hoai HOAI fee calculation and billing module supporting HOAI 2021, 2013, 2009, and 2002, with AHO performance profiles and RifT table extensions; includes honorarberechnung and honorarabrechnung sub-modules and integrates with the free HOAI Schnellrechner.
• BUILDUP orga Organization module for project time tracking and resource management, including calendar-based time entry, project cockpit, cost center management, employee capacity planning, and vacation management; available on iOS and Android via BUILDUP.mobil.
• BUILDUP cloud Hosted deployment option for BUILDUP where BauerSoftware runs the central server in a German data center; the application still runs locally on the user's computer, with no VPN, Remote Desktop, or Terminal Server required. Includes DSGVO-compliant data storage in Germany, daily backups, and 99%+ uptime.
• BUILDUP bautagebuch Digital construction diary for documenting construction progress, tasks, defects, and notes, with photo and PDF attachments, weather recording, attendance tracking, and plan-based defect marking on drawings; integrates with AVA and cost modules and syncs from the iOS and Android mobile apps.
• BUILDUP import cad (BIM/IFC) Native IFC/BIM import engine that reads IFC files from major BIM authoring tools (ARCHICAD, Vectorworks, AutoCAD, Allplan, SPIRIT, Revit), renders the 3D model in BUILDUP via Microsoft DirectX, and supports drag-and-drop quantity transfer to cost estimates and LVs (approximately 80 MB IFC file in 12 seconds) without any third-party middleware.
• BUILDUP sap Bidirectional, in-house-built SAP ECC 6.x interface using standard SAP protocols without middleware; supports cost plan value transfer to SAP Project System, automatic creditor reconciliation, creation and updating of SAP purchase orders from BUILDUP, and SAP material master lookup.
• BUILDUP gaeb BVBS-certified GAEB interface supporting GAEB 90, GAEB 2000, and GAEB DA XML 3.3 (and earlier 3.0/3.1/3.2), enabling compliant electronic data exchange for AVA and construction execution with public-sector and other GAEB-compatible systems.
• HOAI Schnellrechner Free HOAI quick calculator for fast fee estimation across all HOAI performance profiles, available on Windows (32/64-bit), macOS, iOS/iPad, Android, and online browser; supports HOAI 2021, 2013, 2009, and 2002 with RifT table extensions.
• BUILDUP.mobil Mobile companion apps for iOS and Android enabling on-site time tracking and construction diary entries that synchronize automatically with BUILDUP for project management and time tracking use cases.

Named customers18 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

AI capability9 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Orca GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010BauerSoftware GmbH is a member of the Orca Group, a consortium of leading construction and planning software manufacturers. Members operate independently in product development, distribution, and further development while sharing the Orca Group brand. BUILDUP remains independently developed and supported. The Orca Group affiliation strengthens BUILDUP's innovation capacity and long-term investment security for customers.
• STLB-BaumajorTechnology or IntegrationSTLB-Bau (Standardleistungsbuch Bau) is integrated with BUILDUP. Both the online and offline versions of STLB-Bau are supported, allowing users to access standardized performance descriptions with construction element prices directly within BUILDUP for tender preparation.
• DBD (Databank Digital)majorTechnology or IntegrationBauerSoftware is a DBD PremiumSoftwarePartner. DBD-BauPreise are available for all phases of planning and construction, DBD-BIM provides building components for BIM workflows, and DBD integrates with BUILDUP's text libraries and cost databases.
• SirAdos (Kaltenbach)majorTechnology or IntegrationSirAdos Baudaten, one of the most widely used price databases in German construction, is fully supported in BUILDUP. SirAdos texts and prices can be used directly in performance specifications (LVs) within BUILDUP.
• SAP (SAP ECC 6.x)coreTechnology or IntegrationBUILDUP features a bidirectional interface to SAP ECC 6.x using standard SAP protocols without third-party middleware. The interface supports cost plan value transfer, purchase order creation, automatic creditor reconciliation, and SAP material master lookup directly within BUILDUP. Developed in-house with certified SAP experience.
• BVBS (Bundesverband Bausoftware e.V.)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe BVBS certifies BUILDUP's GAEB DA XML interfaces. BauerSoftware has received GAEB DA XML 3.3 certification (and earlier 3.2, 3.1, 3.0 certifications) from the BVBS, confirming compliance with German construction data exchange standards required for public tenders.
• GAEB (Gemeinsamer Ausschuss Elektronik im Bauwesen)coreTechnology or IntegrationGAEB sets the standards for electronic data exchange in construction (AVA and construction execution). BUILDUP supports GAEB 90, GAEB 2000, and GAEB DA XML 3.3 formats. The partnership enables compliant digital data exchange between BUILDUP and all common AVA, tendering, and bidding programs.
• MicrosoftmajorTechnology or IntegrationBUILDUP is certified for Microsoft Windows compatibility and holds official Microsoft Windows Logo certifications for Windows 7, 8/8.1, and 10. The software uses Windows-native technologies (DirectX for BIM rendering) and integrates with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word add-ins) and Microsoft Project/Prolog/powerProject export.
• IONOSminorOthersBauerSoftware's website is hosted by IONOS SE (Elgendorfer Str. 57, 56410 Montabaur). A data processing agreement (AVV) is in place per GDPR requirements.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• California.pro (G&W Software Entwicklung): California.pro is a long-standing German AVA and building-cost software focused on architects, engineers, and public-sector clients. It is a direct functional competitor to BUILDUP's AVA and cost management modules in the DACH market.
• Nevaris (Nemetschek Group): Nevaris is a Nemetschek-owned construction software line focused on AVA, cost control, and project management for the German and DACH market. It is one of the most direct competitors to BUILDUP, addressing the same architecture and engineering customer base with comparable AVA/cost modules.
• iTWO (RIB / ALLPLAN): iTWO is the vertical 5D BIM construction platform from RIB (now ALLPLAN), offering AVA, cost, scheduling, and ERP integration for large construction projects. It competes with BUILDUP for enterprise and infrastructure customers in the German-speaking market.
• ORCA AVA (ORCA Software GmbH): ORCA AVA is the sister product to BUILDUP within the Orca Group consortium. It targets a partially overlapping architect/engineer customer base in Germany with a parallel AVA offering, making it the most directly comparable peer from a feature and go-to-market perspective.
• AVANTI (DR. BARTH & Partner Ingenieurdienstleistungen): AVANTI is a German AVA software package with comparable scope to BUILDUP's AVA suite, including GAEB-certified interfaces and integration with common German construction data sources. It targets the same architecture and planning customer base.
• ALLPLAN (incl. RIB Software): ALLPLAN's 2024 acquisition of RIB Software created the largest direct competitor to BauerSoftware in the German AVA, cost management, and BIM market. ALLPLAN/RIB serves the same architect and engineer segments with overlapping product scope (AVA, 5D BIM, cost control) and competes head-to-head for the same German customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Nemetschek Group: Nemetschek is a broad AEC software incumbent whose portfolio (including Nevaris, Allplan predecessor brands, Graphisoft, Solibri) overlaps with BUILDUP. As a publicly listed, much larger group, Nemetschek can bundle and cross-sell against BauerSoftware's niche.
• Autodesk Construction Cloud: Autodesk's AEC and Construction Cloud portfolio (Revit, BIM 360/ACC, Takeoff) competes with BUILDUP at the BIM/IFC integration layer and increasingly at the cost/takeoff layer. As a broad incumbent, Autodesk is a strategic threat particularly for enterprise and international customers.
• ThinkProject (now part of ConvergeTeam / Standex): ThinkProject provides a construction SaaS platform for document management, BIM coordination, and contract management widely used by European general contractors and project owners. It is a broad incumbent in the European construction software space with indirect overlap to BUILDUP's project-controlling use cases.
• Trimble Construction: Trimble's construction portfolio (Viewpoint, Trimble Connect, MEP, estimating) overlaps with BUILDUP at the estimating, project management, and BIM coordination layers. Trimble is a broad incumbent competing for mid-market and enterprise construction software spend.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BauerSoftware
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bauer-software

Compliance8 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 Bauer Software