What VAPS does

VAPS GmbH is a privately held German IT services and software company founded in 1993 and headquartered in Isernhagen near Hannover. The company specializes exclusively in IT solutions for automotive car dealerships (Autohäuser) across Germany, offering a full-service stack spanning dealer management systems, financial accounting, point-of-sale, cloud infrastructure, security, communications, and marketing services. With over 260 employees and 30+ years of sector experience, VAPS positions itself as a one-stop digitization partner for German automotive retail.\n\nThe core product portfolio is built on two dealer management systems — BUSINESS (a proprietary VAPS-developed DMS) and PROFESSIONAL (an SAP-based DMS) — supplemented by the BASIC accounting family (financial accounting, HR, and accounts-receivable automation), the CASH POS system (compliant with GoBD and KassenSichV), and VAMOSO, a SaaS fleet and car-rental management platform. Supporting infrastructure products include ANeT Mail and ANeT COM (email and connectivity), VASEC endpoint security variants, Microsoft 365 delivered through certified Cloud Partner status, MailStore archiving, and Kerio Connect groupware. VAPS also distributes motor oil and lubricants (VAPSOIL) through its 1998-acquired subsidiary ASP Automotive GmbH, and offers marketing services for dealerships. Technology integrations span Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Apple Mail, SAP, DATEV, and easy-car-fibunet.\n\nThe business model combines software licensing and SaaS subscriptions with recurring managed services, cloud infrastructure, hardware sales/rentals, professional services (consulting, implementation, support), marketing merchandise, and lubricant distribution. Go-to-market is primarily direct enterprise field sales targeting German dealerships, supplemented by Microsoft/SAP reseller relationships, a PartnerPerspektiven in-person event series across German cities, a KOMPAKT webinar series, and multi-channel content marketing. Customer acquisition is anchored on switching costs from deep operational integration and long-term contracts (e.g., 60-month telecom agreements with auto-renewal).

Name

VAPS

Legal name

VAPS GmbH

Website

https://www.vaps.de/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

VAPS GmbH is a German IT services provider founded in 1993 that delivers dealer management systems, cloud, security, communications, and managed IT exclusively to automotive car dealerships across Germany, employing 260+ staff from its Isernhagen headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Dealership IT Solutions

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise Application License Advisory, Vendor Management & Optimization (BPAEAGAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vendor & Contract Management (Software/Cloud) (BPAEAOAD), Lease, Warranty & Maintenance Management Services (BPAEAOAL)

Keywords

• Automotive dealership IT
• Dealer management systems
• SAP financial accounting
• Managed cloud services
• POS point-of-sale

Headquarters

HQ city

Isernhagen-süd

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Licensing and Subscriptions: Revenue from proprietary dealer management systems (BUSINESS, PROFESSIONAL, BASIC), CASH POS system, and VAMOSO car rental SaaS. Includes SAP-based solutions. Software provided both as permanent license and time-based subscription (SaaS).
2. Cloud and Managed Services: Cloud compute, cloud storage, and managed services including server virtualization. Rechenzentrumsleistungen (data center services) with infrastructure provisioning, security, and facility management.
3. IT Infrastructure and Hardware Sales: Sale and rental of hardware including servers, networking equipment, and technical installations. Hardware rental (Miete) provides recurring revenue while outright purchase (Kauf) provides one-time revenue.
4. Professional Services: IT consulting, implementation, maintenance, and support services. Financial accounting services (Fibu). Installation and configuration by qualified technicians. Account management and ongoing IT support.
5. Motor Oil and Automotive Supplies (VAPSOIL): Sale of motor oil (Shell Helix) and automotive supplies through ASP Automotive GmbH subsidiary. Services car dealerships with lubricant products and automotive accessories.
6. Marketing Services: Promotional products, corporate fashion, branded merchandise, and marketing materials for car dealerships to support their brand presence.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

VAPS GmbH provides comprehensive IT solutions for automotive dealerships in Germany, centered on proprietary dealer management systems (BUSINESS DMS and PROFESSIONAL DMS on SAP basis), financial accounting and HR software (BASIC family), the CASH point-of-sale system, and the VAMOSO car rental SaaS platform. The company operates as a full-service IT partner delivering consulting, hardware procurement, implementation, managed cloud services, communications infrastructure (ANeT Mail/COM), endpoint security (VASEC), and Microsoft 365 deployment, with additional offerings in motor oil distribution (VAPSOIL via ASP Automotive) and marketing merchandise.

Product overview

VAPS GmbH offers a comprehensive IT solutions portfolio for car dealerships based on a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core product line includes two Dealer Management Systems (DMS): BUSINESS (proprietary solution for automotive trade) and PROFESSIONAL (SAP-based DMS). Financial management is covered through the BASIC family including BASIC (accounting), BASIC HR (personnel), and BASIC FI (accounts receivable/payments). The CASH point-of-sale system and VAMOSO car rental SaaS platform round out the core offerings. Additional modules include communication services (ANeT Mail, ANeT COM, Kerio Connect), security solutions (VASEC Endpoint/local/light), server virtualization, Microsoft 365, and MailStore archiving. Marketing services and motor oil (VAPSOIL) complete the portfolio. The company operates as a full-service IT partner for car dealerships with over 260 employees and 30+ years of experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VAMOSO: All-in-One SaaS solution for car rental businesses, providing fleet management and mobility solutions.
• VAPSOIL

Products and services

• BUSINESS Proprietary Dealer Management System (DMS) developed specifically for automotive retail, uniting all business areas in one platform covering vehicle sales, workshop service, and parts/accessories management. Targeted at car dealerships needing process-oriented operations management.
• PROFESSIONAL DMS built on SAP basis that combines automotive-specific dealership requirements with the SAP ERP platform's technological strength and reliability. Modular structure allows exact adaptation to dealership needs via selectable functional modules.
• BASIC Financial Accounting SAP-based financial accounting software for car dealerships that digitally maps all accounting processes from invoice creation to annual financial statements. Includes controlling, asset management, and reporting capabilities for legally compliant and efficient financial management.
• BASIC HR SAP-based HR management software supporting centralized employee data management, time tracking, vacation coordination and payroll accounting for automotive dealerships. Integrated into the DMS environment, DSGVO-compliant and audit-secure.
• BASIC FI SAP-based solution for accounts receivable and payment management offering automated email reminders, automated direct debit notices, electronic bank statement processing, payment processing, and mini-booking templates via Excel.
• CASH Modern point-of-sale system for car dealerships ensuring smooth and legally compliant processing of all payment transactions in parts sales, service areas and vehicle deposits. Fully integrated with existing systems and compliant with GoBD and KassenSichV regulations.
• VAMOSO All-in-One SaaS solution for car rental businesses combining fleet management, bookings, payments, and customer management in an integrated platform with regular updates and support. Brand-neutral and usable across the entire automotive industry.
• ANeT Mail Email service solution tailored for car dealerships, including integrated user management, spam and virus protection, archiving, and mobile availability. The ANeT Antispam Gateway filters up to 98% of unwanted emails.
• ANeT COM Data connectivity solution with high availability and application-compliant bandwidth management providing connections to PartnerNet, internet, email service, and direct connections to manufacturer and dealership operations via DSL, fiber and LTE technologies.
• Microsoft 365 Deployment Microsoft cloud productivity suite offered through VAPS as a certified Microsoft Partner, including Office applications, Teams, cloud storage, and Copilot AI features, implemented, operated, and supported by VAPS for automotive retail clients.
• VAPSOIL Motor oil product line offering Shell Helix premium engine oils for VW and Audi vehicles, distributed to car dealerships, workshops and service partners through the ASP Automotive GmbH subsidiary acquired in 1998.
• Marketing Service Marketing services for car dealerships providing advertising materials, corporate fashion, gifts, promotional items, seasonal products (Easter, Christmas), brand articles, and team clothing to support dealership brand presence.

Quantifiable outcome

• IT management efficiency through single provider approach
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability3 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified Microsoft Partner in Small and Midmarket Cloud Solutions and Cloud Productivity competencies. Provides Microsoft 365 and related cloud solutions to car dealership customers. VAPS implements, operates, and supports Microsoft cloud environments for automotive retail clients.
• SAPcoreTechnology or IntegrationSAP provides the technology platform basis for VAPS dealer management systems (PROFESSIONAL DMS, BASIC Financial Accounting, BASIC HR). VAPS develops and deploys SAP-based solutions specifically tailored for automotive dealerships.
• Shell (Shell Helix Motor Oil)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShell provides motor oil products (Shell Helix) that VAPS distributes to car dealerships through its VAPSOIL program. VAPS also acquired ASP Automotive GmbH to strengthen motor oil and lubricant distribution capabilities.
• ASP Automotive GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSubsidiary company acquired by VAPS focused on motor oil and lubricants for automotive dealerships. Operates with high purchasing volumes enabling competitive pricing passed to customers. Serves long-term customers throughout Germany.
• effismaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for events. Co-organizes Zukunft des Autohandels (Future of Car Trading) event focusing on digitalization and flexible mobility solutions.
• veactminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for events. Partner for Zukunft des Autohandels event on digitalization and mobility topics.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CDK Global: CDK Global is the largest dedicated provider of dealer management systems and integrated retail technology for automotive dealerships in North America, recently taken private by Brookfield. Directly comparable to VAPS in core DMS and dealership-IT focus, though at much larger scale and geographically broader.
• Reynolds and Reynolds: Reynolds and Reynolds is a long-established US provider of DMS, document management, and integrated dealership solutions to automotive retailers. Closely comparable to VAPS's BUSINESS and PROFESSIONAL DMS offerings in product scope and customer type, with similar full-service, deeply embedded model.
• Dealertrack (Cox Automotive): Dealertrack, part of Cox Automotive, is a leading provider of DMS, CRM, and digital retailing for auto dealers in North America. Direct overlap with VAPS across DMS, financing, and integrated dealership workflows, although backed by a much larger parent.
• PBS Systems: PBS Systems is a Canadian provider of DMS and dealership business management software for the automotive, powersports, and RV industries. Comparable to VAPS in vertical-specialist DMS positioning, mid-market dealer focus, and integrated full-suite offering, though geographically focused on Canada.

Emerging players

• Tekion: Tekion is a cloud-native automotive retail platform providing a single SaaS solution spanning DMS, CRM, and consumer experience. Comparable to VAPS in target customer (auto dealers) but differentiated by its modern cloud-native architecture versus VAPS's on-prem/SAP-centric stack.
• Salesforce (Automotive Cloud): Salesforce's Automotive Cloud is a cloud-based CRM and dealer engagement platform competing for the dealership IT wallet alongside traditional DMS providers. Comparable to VAPS as a technology option for German dealers considering cloud-first alternatives to incumbent DMS stacks.

Broad incumbents

• T-Systems International: T-Systems, the enterprise IT services arm of Deutsche Telekom, provides managed cloud, SAP, and digital transformation services to large automotive OEMs and dealer groups in Germany. Comparable to VAPS in the SAP/managed-services layer but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Cox Automotive: Cox Automotive is a broad automotive services and technology group whose portfolio includes Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book, and Autotrader. Relevant to VAPS as a multi-product automotive retail platform owner, though it operates at significantly greater scale and across multiple geographies.
• IBM Consulting (automotive): IBM provides automotive industry consulting, cloud, and managed IT services to OEMs and large dealer groups worldwide. Comparable to VAPS at the high end of dealership IT services, with broader capability set but less vertical specialization in mid-market German car dealers.

Others

• SAP: SAP is the ERP platform provider that underpins VAPS's PROFESSIONAL DMS, BASIC accounting, and BASIC HR products. Included as a peer because it is the foundational technology layer for VAPS's enterprise applications suite and a critical determinant of VAPS's product roadmap and economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC89uXMUkFsxbOdkjs3tO_OA
• Facebookfacebook.com/vaps.gmbh
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/vaps-autohaus-kompetenz
• Instagraminstagram.com/vaps.autohaus.kompetenz

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 VAPS