IT-Formation
IT-Formation GmbH is a Freiburg, Germany-based IT system house founded in 2014 that delivers IT consulting, managed services, training, and a proprietary Security Awareness Training platform to small, mid-sized, and large enterprises across multiple verticals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersFreiburg, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What IT-Formation does
IT-Formation GmbH is a privately held IT system house founded in August 2014 and headquartered in Freiburg, Germany, providing holistic IT services to small, mid-sized, and large enterprises. Its service portfolio spans IT consulting, managed services (ITF Care), 24/7 support with Basic and Premium contract tiers, professional training (ITIL/PRINCE2, Microsoft 365, Windows Server, PowerShell, Veeam, Citrix, Linux, Adobe), and the proprietary Security Awareness Training (SAT) platform. The company is led by managing directors Sascha Held and Benjamin Bähre and operates without disclosed external funding, growing from three founders sharing 40 square meters to a team of 11-50.
The company's core proprietary technology is the SAT platform, built around the patented ESI® (Employee Security Index) — a scientifically validated methodology for measuring employee security behavior at company, group, and user levels. The platform comprises four integrated modules: the Awareness Engine (automated, ESI-metrics-driven continuous training), the patented Spear-Phishing-Engine (individually tailored phishing simulations with forged login pages and macro-enabled attachments), the Security Hub (centralized multilingual learning portal with gamification), and the Awareness Dashboard (ESI reporting, history, forecast, and training KPIs). The SAT platform integrates with Hornetsecurity 365 Total Protection and the 365 Permission Manager, and the Spear-Phishing-Engine consumes mailbox data to personalize simulations.
IT-Formation's business model combines professional services revenue (consulting, project implementation, one-off training) with recurring managed services and subscription contracts (ITF Care, support contracts, SAT subscriptions). Go-to-market is primarily direct sales through a "single point of contact" model, augmented by an extensive channel ecosystem of Gold/Platinum-tier vendor partnerships (Bitdefender Gold Partner, Hornetsecurity Platinum Partner Germany, Huawei Certified Solution Partner, Microsoft Partner, plus VMware, Citrix, Veeam, Fortinet, Kaspersky, IGEL, Proofpoint, and others). Named customers include Essilor, badenova, Fischer Group, Peugeot, Citroën, Iscar, and others across automotive, energy/utilities, manufacturing, and optics/eyewear verticals.
IT-Formation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IT-Formation
- Legal name
- IT-FORMATION GmbH
- Website
- https://it-formation.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- IT-Formation GmbH is a Freiburg, Germany-based IT system house founded in 2014 that delivers IT consulting, managed services, training, and a proprietary Security Awareness Training platform to small, mid-sized, and large enterprises across multiple verticals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IT-Formation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- IT Consulting and Managed Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Other Computer Related Services (541519)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Enterprise Architecture & IT Operating Model (BPAHAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- ITIL/ITSM Process Consulting & Implementation (BPAEAJAB), Systems Administration & IT Operations (Windows/Linux, Monitoring, ITSM) (EDABAFAH)
Keywords
Where IT-Formation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Freiburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
IT-Formation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Professional IT Services: Consulting, strategy development, IT project implementation, support and managed services delivered as individually tailored service packages for hardware, software and professional services.
- Managed Services (ITF Care): Proactive monitoring and management of IT infrastructure including Application Delivery, Server Virtualization, Network/WiFi, Storage/SAN, Backup & Recovery, Monitoring, IT Security, Health Check, and Operations Manual. Services are designed to minimize downtime.
- Support Services: Incident support with guaranteed response times, Basic and Premium support contracts, optional 24/7 support, and ad hoc support for new customers. Operations services for scheduled maintenance.
- Training/Schulungen: Training services for administrators and users including IT strategy, project management (ITIL/PRINCE2), Windows Server, PowerShell, Veeam, Citrix, Linux, Microsoft 365, Teams, Office, Adobe. Delivered as online seminars, personal coaching, or in-house training.
- Security Awareness Training (SAT): Next-generation security awareness training including Spear-Phishing simulations and AI-supported e-training to strengthen human firewall. Includes Awareness Engine with continuous autopilot training.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Customized service packages for hardware, software and professional services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
IT-Formation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IT-Formation is an IT system house providing holistic IT services from consulting and conception through procurement, installation, configuration, maintenance, and support. The company delivers individually tailored service packages spanning hardware, software, and professional services for small, mid-sized, and large enterprises. Its proprietary Security Awareness Training (SAT) platform, built around the patented ESI Employee Security Index methodology, is a core differentiator alongside managed services and training offerings.
Product overview
IT-Formation is an IT system house offering a portfolio of security, managed services, consulting, and training solutions. Their primary product is the Security Awareness Training (SAT) platform built around the proprietary ESI® (Employee Security Index) methodology—a patented framework for measuring employee security behavior. The SAT platform comprises four integrated modules: the Awareness Engine (automated training delivery), Spear-Phishing-Engine (realistic phishing simulations with forged login pages and macro attachments), Security Hub (centralized learning portal with gamification), and Awareness Dashboard (ESI® reporting and training KPIs). This SAT platform integrates with Hornetsecurity 365 Total Protection for email security and the 365 Permission Manager for Microsoft 365 permission governance. Complementing the SAT product, IT-Formation offers ITF Care Managed Services (covering infrastructure, monitoring, backup, security, and IT operations), IT Consulting (strategic services for resilient IT infrastructure, IT security, data protection, modern workplace, and multi-cloud), and Training Services (covering project management methodologies, Windows Server, PowerShell, Linux, Microsoft 365, and more). IT-Formation also operates as a technology partner reselling and implementing solutions from vendors including Bitdefender (Gold Partner), Huawei (Certified Solution Partner), Hornetsecurity (Platinum Partner Germany), Microsoft, VMware, Citrix, Veeam, Fortinet, IGEL, and others.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Security Awareness Training (SAT) Next-generation security awareness training platform featuring the proprietary ESI (Employee Security Index) methodology, a patented procedure for measuring employee security behavior. Delivers continuous awareness training through automated simulations and AI-powered e-training to build a sustainable security culture. Designed for organizations seeking to strengthen their human firewall against phishing and cyber threats.
- ITF Care Managed Services Proactive managed services covering infrastructure monitoring, security, and operations for enterprise IT environments. Service packages include Application Delivery, Server Virtualization, Network and WiFi, Storage Systems and SAN, Backup and Recovery, Monitoring, IT Security, Health Check, and Operations Handbook. Designed to minimize downtime for organizations outsourcing IT infrastructure operations.
- IT Consulting Holistic IT consulting services covering resilient IT infrastructure, IT security, data protection, modern workplace, and multi-cloud environments. Features a Dynamic IT approach for creative and solution-oriented advisory engagements for small, mid-sized, and large enterprises.
- Training Services (Schulungen) Professional IT training services for administrators and end users covering project management methodologies (ITIL, PRINCE2, SCRUM), Windows Server, PowerShell, Veeam, Citrix, Linux, Microsoft 365 (Teams, Office), and Adobe. Delivered via online seminars, personal coaching, and customized in-house sessions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Minimized downtime through proactive monitoring and managed services
Companies that use IT-Formation
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
IT-Formation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature5 records
IT-Formation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- HornetsecuritycorePlatinum Partner Germany status. Hornetsecurity (now part of Proofpoint) is a leading provider of Microsoft 365 and cloud security solutions including 365 Total Protection, Spam and Malware Protection, and the 365 Permission Manager. Partnership includes joint participation in industry events such as it-sa and Swiss Cyber Security Days.
- BitdefendercoreGold Partner status in the Bitdefender Partner Advantage Network. IT-Formation achieved the highest partnership tier through comprehensive experience in selling Bitdefender security solutions. Partnership enables distribution of Bitdefender's cybersecurity portfolio including endpoint protection, managed detection and response, and other security solutions.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft Partner status. IT-Formation provides services around Microsoft 365, Azure cloud, Modern Workplace, Teams, and other Microsoft technologies.
- HuaweicoreHuawei Certified Solution Partner. Partnership began in September 2015 as Authorized Partner and evolved to Certified Solution Partner by October 2016. Focus on infrastructure solutions including networking and security products. Network Lead Architect Matthias Gillet represents IT-Formation at Huawei Network Summit 2025.
- VMwaremajorTechnology partnership for virtualization and cloud infrastructure solutions.
- CitrixmajorTechnology partnership for application delivery and workspace solutions.
- VeeammajorReseller partnership for backup and recovery solutions.
- FortinetmajorReseller partnership for network security solutions including firewalls and security appliances.
- ProofpointmajorPartnership related to email security and cybersecurity solutions.
- KasperskyminorReseller partnership for endpoint security solutions.
- IGELminorReseller partnership for endpoint management and secure access solutions.
- LEECON TS GmbHminorIT-Formation is a reseller of LEECON TS GmbH, an ATO of AXELOS Limited. This partnership enables delivery of ITIL, ITIL 4, PRINCE2, and PRINCE2 Agile certification courses.
- MailStoreminorReseller partnership for email archiving solutions.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
IT-Formation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SVA System Vertrieb Alexander GmbH: One of the largest German IT system houses, offering consulting, infrastructure, managed services and security across enterprise and mid-market. Directly comparable to IT-Formation's system-house model and customer segment, with a similar vendor-partner-led go-to-market.
- Controlware GmbH: Privately held German IT system house with a comparable mix of consulting, managed services, datacenter, networking and cybersecurity. A close mid-market peer in size, geography and portfolio breadth.
- SoSafe GmbH: Cologne-based security awareness and phishing simulation platform vendor. Directly comparable to IT-Formation's ESI/SAT offering, though SoSafe is a pure-play SaaS vendor while IT-Formation bundles the product with services.
- msg systems AG: German IT consulting and solutions group with significant practice areas in IT service management, security and infrastructure consulting. Overlaps with IT-Formation's IT consulting and ITIL-aligned services (BPAEAJAB).
Broad incumbents
- Bechtle AG: Listed German IT system house with a broad portfolio spanning hardware resale, managed services, datacenter and security. A scaled incumbent in the same system-house category IT-Formation competes in, but with a much larger footprint and public-company resources.
- Cancom SE: German-headquartered managed services and IT solutions provider focused on cloud, workplace and security. Comparable in managed-services and Microsoft-centric offerings, but significantly larger and publicly listed.
- KnowBe4 (by Stu Sjouwerman): Global market leader in security awareness training and phishing simulation. The dominant incumbent against which IT-Formation's SAT platform competes, especially for larger enterprise accounts outside the DACH region.
- Allgeier SE: German IT services group covering consulting, enterprise solutions and managed services. A scaled publicly listed peer operating in adjacent IT-services verticals with overlapping enterprise customers.
- Arvato Systems (Bertelsmann): IT services subsidiary of Bertelsmann offering managed services, cloud and security solutions to enterprise and public-sector clients in DACH. A larger incumbent peer operating in the same regional system-house and managed-services market.
Others
- Hornetsecurity (Proofpoint): Cloud security vendor for Microsoft 365 (now part of Proofpoint), of which IT-Formation is a Platinum Partner in Germany. A vendor partner rather than direct competitor, but materially shapes IT-Formation's portfolio and economics.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
IT-Formation social profiles
Digital presenceIT-Formation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IT-Formation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
IT-Formation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IT-Formation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IT-Formation
What does IT-Formation do?
IT-Formation is an IT system house providing holistic IT services from consulting and conception through procurement, installation, configuration, maintenance, and support. The company delivers individually tailored service packages spanning hardware, software, and professional services for small, mid-sized, and large enterprises. Its proprietary Security Awareness Training (SAT) platform, built around the patented ESI Employee Security Index methodology, is a core differentiator alongside managed services and training offerings.
Is IT-Formation a public or private company?
IT-Formation is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was IT-Formation founded?
IT-Formation was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is IT-Formation based?
IT-Formation is headquartered in Freiburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does IT-Formation make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Professional IT Services are the primary driver. The others are managed Services (ITF Care), support Services, training/Schulungen and security Awareness Training (SAT).
Who are IT-Formation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SVA System Vertrieb Alexander GmbH, Controlware GmbH, SoSafe GmbH and msg systems AG. Broad incumbents are Bechtle AG, Cancom SE, KnowBe4 (by Stu Sjouwerman), Allgeier SE and Arvato Systems (Bertelsmann). Hornetsecurity (Proofpoint) is listed as an others.
Does IT-Formation have an API?
No public API is recorded for IT-Formation.
What industry is IT-Formation in?
IT-Formation's product category is IT Consulting and Managed Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAEAB, Enterprise Architecture & IT Operating Model, with a secondary code of BPAEAJAB, ITIL/ITSM Process Consulting & Implementation. Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7373.