HIW

What HIW does

HIW GmbH (HIW Gesellschaft für Warenwirtschaftssysteme mbH) is a privately held German software company specializing in ERP and Cross Channel Retailing (CCR) solutions for retail businesses, headquartered in Ditzingen with its operational center in Cham. The company was founded in 1999 by Peter Heller and Michael Heller alongside Interfunk eG (now EURONICS), with software development roots dating to 1990. HIW employs approximately 50 staff and serves over 1,000 retailers primarily across the DACH region.

The core technology is a modular Microsoft SQL Server-based ERP system developed in Delphi, featuring a plug-in architecture optimized for cloud and WAN environments. The product suite spans the HIW ERP System (PIM, purchasing, logistics, service, marketing, finance, POS, TSE, BI), a self-developed e-commerce framework with webshop and marketplace connectivity, a mobile ERP app, and in-store solutions including Virtual Shelf, Self-Checkout, ESL, and Kundendisplay. Vertical-specific variants include BIKE&CO WIN (bicycle retail), STApos Complete (ITK/telecommunications), and SHOPWIN (EK/servicegroup verticals). An AI-powered telephony and chatbot capability was added via partnership with hellomateo.

Revenue is generated through tiered software subscriptions (e.g., BIKE&CO WIN packages from 109-279 EUR/month), one-time implementation and setup services (2,500-7,500 EUR), monthly cloud hosting fees (from 35 EUR/user/month), and additional module/add-on subscriptions. Distribution operates through a hybrid model: direct sales for large enterprise deals, and a network of channel partners including EURONICS, BIKE&CO, EK/servicegroup, STAHLGRUBER, ALSO, ENO Telecom, and Brodos AG, which distribute HIW software under their own brands. The wholly-owned Czech subsidiary Cesky Software s.r.o. (Pilsen, est. 2006) handles development and Czech market sales. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

HIW

Legal name

HIW Gesellschaft für Warenwirtschaftssysteme mbH

Website

https://hiw24.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HIW GmbH is a privately held German software company that develops modular ERP and Cross Channel Retailing solutions for retail businesses, primarily serving EURONICS, BIKE&CO, and EK/servicegroup member dealers across the DACH region with approximately 50 employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail ERP Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132), Software Publishers (513210), Software Publishers (51321), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Retail ERP (Merchandising, POS Back Office) (HDAEAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distribution & Wholesale ERP (Inventory, Order, Warehouse) (HDAEAEAC), ERP Extensions & Add-ons (CPQ, Billing, Revenue Management) (HDAEAEAO)

Keywords

• Retail ERP software
• Cross-channel retailing
• Merchandise management systems
• Point of sale solutions
• E-commerce platform software

Headquarters

HQ city

Cham

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: Modular ERP system sold as software licenses with monthly subscription fees; different packages (S, M, L) for BIKE&CO WIN with varying features and user limits; pricing from 109-279 EUR per month depending on package and number of access points
2. Implementation and Setup Services: One-time service fees for installation, configuration, training, and data migration; ranging from 2,500-7,500 EUR depending on package complexity
3. Cloud Hosting: Monthly hosting fees through EURONICS Deutschland eG; minimum 5 users at 35 EUR per user per month
4. Additional Modules and Add-ons: Extra modules available for advanced features including DATEV export, Ebay/Amazon/Check24 integration, parcel shipping, warranty modules, HIW webshop

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HIW develops and distributes modular ERP software, merchandise management systems, e-commerce frameworks, online marketplace solutions, mobile ERP apps, and instore technologies (POS, virtual shelf, self-checkout, ESL, customer display) for retail businesses. Its flagship HIW ERP System, built on Microsoft SQL Server, integrates procurement, logistics, POS, finance, PIM, workshop, and BI capabilities with cross-channel/omnichannel retailing features. Software is rebranded and distributed through retail cooperatives (EURONICS, BIKE&CO, EK/servicegroup) and distributors (STAHLGRUBER, ALSO, ENO Telecom), serving over 1,000 retailers primarily in the DACH region.

Product overview

HIW (HIW GmbH) is a software house and full-service provider specializing in Cross Channel Retailing (CCR) for retail businesses. The product portfolio is built on a modular platform architecture with the HIW ERP System serving as the central hub, complemented by e-commerce solutions (HIW Webshop, HIW E-Commerce Framework, HIW Online Marketplace), mobile solutions (HIW APP), and instore systems (HIW Virtual Shelf, HIW Self-Checkout-Kasse, HIW Kundendisplay, HIW ESL, HIW Instore-TV). The ecosystem includes industry-specific variants like BIKE&CO WIN for bicycle retailers and STApos Complete for ITK/telecommunications dealers. Additional modules cover Business Intelligence, POS, PIM, logistics, workshop management, financial accounting, leasing, insurance integration, and marketing tools. All solutions share a common codebase and are designed to grow with business requirements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HIW ERP System Modular ERP system serving as the central hub for all business processes in retail operations, covering procurement, sales, inventory, administration, PIM, logistics, service, marketing, finance, POS, TSE, analytics, and AI-powered customer communication. Microsoft SQL Server-based, supports cloud and WAN environments.
• HIW CCR (Cross Channel Retailing) Complete solution for cross-channel and omnichannel retailing that connects all sales channels so customers can shop everywhere and anytime. Enables seamless integration of online and offline channels for a unified customer experience.
• HIW E-Commerce Complete e-commerce solution for online retail. Based on a proprietary shop framework that grows with business requirements, seamlessly integrated with the ERP system for unified product, inventory, and order management.
• HIW Online Marketplace Online marketplace solution for B2B and B2C scenarios. Scalable platform with extensive functionality, adaptable to marketplace operators and various industries. Enables networks of heterogeneous and homogeneous dealers.
• HIW APP Mobile ERP system providing flexibility for staff in stationary retail. Enables access to article information in real-time from smartphones or tablets, facilitating customer consultation and sales support.
• HIW Virtual Shelf Digital shelf extension for stationary retail. Enables modern, innovative consulting and problem-free expansion of sales shelves. Product information, images, and videos can be displayed on virtual shelves.
• HIW Self-Checkout-Kasse Self-service checkout system allowing customers to scan and pay for items independently, optimizing checkout processes in retail stores.
• HIW Kundendisplay Customer display and e-receipt solution. Eliminates printing by allowing customers to scan QR codes to save receipts digitally, saving resources.
• HIW ESL (Electronic Shelf Labels) Electronic shelf label system for digital price display in retail stores.
• BIKE&CO WIN ERP system customized for bicycle retail, developed for BIKE&CO members. Based on the same codebase as HIW ERP, optimized for bicycle dealer needs including workshop management, VeloConnect integration, and BICO interface. Available in S, M, L packages.
• STApos Complete HIW ERP system variant for ITK (Information, Telecommunications) sector distributed by STAHLGRUBER Communication Center. Features EDI interface, online inventory/ordering, tariff data imports, and financial service provider interfaces.
• SHOPWIN ERP system for EK/servicegroup distributed by EASY Systems GmbH. Based on the same codebase as HIW ERP, customized for EK/servicegroup member needs in Elektro, Baumarkt, Garten, Haushalt, Spielzeug, Baby, and Textil sectors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% time savings reported in central regulation processes (EURONICS)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration16 records

AI capability2 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• STAHLGRUBER Communication Center GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2014Partnership formed 2014 to offer STApos Complete - specialized ERP for ITK (Information, Telecommunications, Consumer Electronics) retailers. Includes EDI interface, online inventory checking, online ordering, tariff data import, and integration with financial service providers.
• EK/servicegroup eGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 December 2008Partnership established December 2008 following 12-month joint project to standardize and customize HIW ERP for various EK/servicegroup customer segments. Software distributed as SHOPWIN through EASY Systems GmbH subsidiary.
• BIKE&CO (BICO Zweirad Marketing GmbH)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2008Partnership formed March 2008 when BICO chose HIW for its 500+ bicycle dealer members. Software customized as BIKE&CO WIN with bicycle-specific features including VeloConnect interface, workshop management, and leasing modules. Approximately 70 members actively use the software.
• Cesky Software s.r.o.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006100% subsidiary founded in Pilsen, Czech Republic in January 2006. Led by two original HIW developers who became pioneers of HIW Rendite 2000 development. Handles software development and direct sales in Czech market.
• EURONICS (formerly Interfunk)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 1999Founding partnership established August 1999 when Interfunk (now EURONICS) chose HIW as exclusive software partner after extensive selection process. HIW develops EURONICS-specific modules including CCR-Shop, Kartenwelt, Archivsystem, Aktionswarenkörbe, ZAP, EDI, and Zentralregulierung interfaces. Serves approximately 500 German and 60 Swiss member dealers.
• ALSO Deutschland GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorALSO distributor enables HIW users to access automated article data import, pricing and availability checks, direct ordering from HIW, electronic delivery notes and invoices, EDI exchange, availability queries, action manager, mobile phone integration, commission data import, and clearing files.
• ENO telecom GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with ENO telecom (since 1993 distributor of telecommunications products) for recommending and offering HIW ERP under ENO POS Rendite name to their telecom retail customers.
• EASY Systems GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement signed 2012 with EASY Systems GmbH (Bielefeld) for collaboration in merchandise management and POS systems. Goal: synergies in development speed, market proximity, and software quality.
• BFL LeasingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAttractive leasing conditions offered for BIKE&CO WIN software and hardware purchases.
• Brodos AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTelecommunications distributor cooperation established 2020 for expanded market reach.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LocaFox (LocaNet): German retail POS/ERP vendor serving SMB to mid-market specialty retailers, including CE and bike verticals; competes head-on with HIW for cooperative-channel-led distribution in DACH.
• Amicron Software: German vendor of Warenwirtschaft and ERP for small and mid-sized retailers across multiple verticals; comparable in segment (German Mittelstand retail) and modular delivery model.
• eEvolution GmbH: German retail ERP specialist focused on multi-channel retail with strong wholesale and POS capabilities; direct overlap with HIW in technical and specialty retail in DACH.
• SelectLine Software: Established German SMB ERP/POS provider with a comparable channel and modular pricing approach; serves many of the same German specialty retail sub-segments as HIW.
• LS Retail (LS Central): Retail ERP/POS specialist with strong bicycle, CE, and specialty-retail verticals across Europe; closest international comparable to HIW's vertical specialization.

Broad incumbents

• Sage (Sage 50 / Sage 100): Global ERP/finance incumbent with a sizable SMB retail footprint in Germany; broader portfolio but overlapping mid-market retail ERP/POS functionality.
• SAP Business One: Mid-market ERP incumbent frequently deployed at growing retailers; competes with HIW when dealers scale up and require broader finance/operations functionality.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: Cloud ERP from HIW's own Microsoft Gold Partner ecosystem; a frequent alternative for retailers seeking broader ERP, especially given HIW's SQL Server foundation.
• Cegid: European cloud-native retail and ERP vendor with comparable SMB-to-mid-market retail footprint; represents the cloud-native competitive pressure HIW faces.

Others

• Blue Yonder (formerly JDA): Large retail/supply-chain platform whose WMS and omnichannel offerings increasingly overlap with HIW's logistics and marketplace modules at the upper end of the market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubehiw24.de/hiw-videos
• Xx.com/hiwgmbh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hiw-gmbh

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 HIW