SOFTWERK

What SOFTWERK does

SOFTWERK Gesellschaft für Systementwicklung und Innovationsberatung mbH is a German IT system house (IT-Systemhaus) headquartered at Fronmüllerstr. 71, 90763 Fürth, founded in 1984 by Henry Walther and Claus Bettag. The firm specializes in long-tenured HCL Notes/Domino groupware consulting and support, citing over 20 years of platform experience, and operates as a certified HCL Software Business Partner, a Proxmox Silver Partner, and the IServ partner for Bavaria. Its technical footprint is integration-led rather than proprietary: it resells, implements, and supports HCL's Domino/iNotes/Connections/Verse suite, IServ's school server platform, and Proxmox's open-source virtualization stack (VE, Backup Server, Datacenter Manager), alongside licensed resale of Microsoft, Sophos, Trend Micro, MailStore, and IBM Spectrum Protect products. SOFTWERK also provides cloud hosting through a long-standing partnership with Nürnberg-based noris network AG, and holds a staff board seat at DNUG, the German Notes/Domino user group.

The company operates from a single headquarters in Fürth with approximately 26 employees — including the founder — many of whom have been with the firm for over a decade. Its customer base spans two primary verticals: mid-market and enterprise companies throughout the Nürnberg/Fürth metropolitan region and across Germany requiring Notes/Domino, network infrastructure, and virtualization support, and public schools in Fürth and Bavaria served under a cooperation agreement with KommunalBIT, the City of Fürth's IT service provider, dating to 2003. Customer engagement is relationship-led: each customer is assigned a dedicated consultant who serves as the primary point of contact over years, supported by on-site and TeamViewer-based remote delivery.

Revenue is generated through four streams: third-party software licensing (HCL, Microsoft, Sophos, Trend Micro, MailStore, IBM Spectrum Protect) sold on a one-time and recurring renewal basis; project-based and time-and-materials professional services for consulting, network analysis, system integration, and migration; ongoing managed support contracts covering 1st/2nd-level support, monitoring, and administration of Notes/Domino, network, and school environments; and IServ school server sales and support, where schools can leverage DigitalPakt funding. Distribution is consultative and direct — sales are conducted by experienced account managers reachable by phone and email, supplemented by channel partnerships for IServ in Bavaria and Proxmox across Germany. SOFTWERK is privately held, founder-owned (inhabergeführt), with no external investment, no disclosed revenue, no public pricing, and no e-commerce storefront; all engagements are quote-based.

Name

SOFTWERK

Legal name

SOFTWERK Gesellschaft für Systementwicklung und Innovationsberatung mbH

Website

https://softwerk.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SOFTWERK is a German IT system house founded in 1984, specializing in HCL Notes/Domino consulting, IServ school server support in Bavaria, Proxmox virtualization, and managed IT services for mid-market enterprises and public schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Managed IT Services

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Other Computer Related Services (541519)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Helpdesk & End-User Support Services (BPAEABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Software/Application Support (SaaS, Enterprise Apps) (BPAAACAC)

Keywords

• IT infrastructure consulting
• Network support services
• HCL groupware solutions
• School server support
• Virtualization implementation

Headquarters

HQ city

Fürth

HQ country

Germany

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. Software Licensing (HCL Notes/Domino, Microsoft, Sophos, Trend Micro, etc.): SOFTWERK resells software licenses from HCL, Microsoft, Sophos, Trend Micro, Mailstore, IBM Spectrum Protect, and other vendors. Revenue is generated through one-time license purchases and license renewals.
2. Professional Services & Consulting: IT consulting, network analysis, system integration, migration, and implementation services. Billed via project-based or time-and-materials engagements.
3. IT Support & Managed Services: Ongoing support contracts covering 1st/2nd level support, monitoring, health checks, and system administration for Notes/Domino, networks, and school environments. Delivered on-site or via remote access.
4. IServ School Server Sales & Support: Sales and setup of IServ school servers to schools, including associated support services. Schools can access DigitalPakt funding for these solutions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SOFTWERK is an IT system house (IT-Systemhaus) providing consulting, implementation, and managed support services around third-party enterprise software. The company resells and supports HCL Notes/Domino Groupware, Proxmox virtualization, IServ school servers, and security/backup software (Sophos, Trend Micro, MailStore, IBM Spectrum Protect). It delivers on-site and remote (TeamViewer) IT services to mid-market enterprises and public schools across the Nürnberg/Fürth metropolitan region and Germany, with deep specialization in HCL Notes/Domino (20+ years of in-house expertise).

Product overview

SOFTWERK is an IT system house offering a portfolio of services and third-party products rather than a single unified platform. Its core product lines include HCL Groupware (Notes/Domino, iNotes, Connections, Verse, Security Directory Integrator) with associated support services; the IServ school server platform with modules for communication, organization, teaching, and network administration; and Proxmox virtualization solutions (Virtual Environment, Backup Server, Datacenter Manager) with consulting and implementation services. These are complemented by IT infrastructure services (network consulting, network support), IT applications (security products such as Sophos and Trend Micro, backup solutions such as IBM Spectrum Protect, email archiving via MailStore), cloud solutions via noris network AG, and specialized school support in Bavaria. SOFTWERK operates exclusively as a reseller and certified partner of these products, offering its own implementation, support, and consulting services around each.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Netzwerkberatung (Network Consulting) IT network consulting services for mid-market and enterprise customers in Germany, including infrastructure analysis, health checks, software license review, GDPR compliance assessment, security standards evaluation, and strategic IT infrastructure planning.
• Netzwerk-Support (Network Support) Network support services including health checks, server monitoring, infrastructure sizing, data migration, mobile device network integration, project management, software implementation, license consulting and management, backup and recovery, and cloud integration.
• Notes/Domino Support Comprehensive support services for HCL Notes/Domino environments including system analysis, DAOS, health checks, optimization scenarios, 1st and 2nd level support, license analysis, active monitoring, rollout, app development, migration, staff training, and full hosting.
• IT-Applikationen (Software Solutions) Provision and implementation of software applications including groupware, security, infrastructure, and cloud solutions, sourced from vendors SOFTWERK uses internally. Includes license management as part of support services.
• Proxmox Virtualisierung – Beratung, Implementierung & Support Consulting, implementation, and support services for Proxmox Virtual Environment, Proxmox Backup Server, and Proxmox Datacenter Manager, including migration from VMware, Hyper-V, and other platforms with minimal downtime.
• Cloud-Lösungen (Cloud Solutions) Cloud hosting solutions in Germany via partnership with noris network AG in Nuremberg, including data hosting on SOFTWERK's own servers and hybrid solutions combining cloud platforms with local servers.
• Schul-Support Fürth Specialized IT support for schools in Fürth and the Nuremberg metropolitan region, including Grundschulen, Mittelschulen, Förderzentren, Realschulen, Berufsschulen, and Gymnasien, provided through a cooperation agreement with the City of Fürth.
• Schul-Support IServ Bayern IServ-certified support services for secondary schools in Bavaria, including setup, training, and ongoing administration of IServ school servers, with advice on funding opportunities such as the DigitalPakt Schule.

Quantifiable outcome

• School networks supported since 2003 in the Fürth/Nürnberg region
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kommunaler Betrieb für Informationstechnik (KommunalBIT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003SOFTWERK operates under guidelines and a cooperation agreement with KommunalBIT (Kommunaler Betrieb für Informationstechnik), the IT service provider for the City of Fürth. This partnership forms the basis of SOFTWERK's school support services for Fürth's educational institutions.
• HCL Technologies (HCL Software)coreTechnology or IntegrationSOFTWERK is a certified HCL Business Partner, authorized to sell Domino Notes licenses (HCL iNotes, HCL Connections, HCL Verse, HCL Security Directory Integrator, IBM Spectrum Protect) and provide related support services. As one of the few HCL Software Business Partners in Germany, this is a flagship partnership. SOFTWERK has been working with Notes/Domino for over 20 years and is active in DNUG, the German HCL user group.
• IServ GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSOFTWERK is a certified IServ partner for Bavaria, providing sales, setup, and ongoing support for the IServ school server. IServ is a multi-award-winning school server platform trusted by over 2,000 schools in Germany. SOFTWERK leverages this partnership to serve schools seeking DigitalPakt funding. The company also manages the school support contract for the City of Fürth.
• Proxmox Server SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationSOFTWERK is an official Proxmox Silver Partner, authorized to sell and support Proxmox Virtual Environment, Proxmox Backup Server, and Proxmox Datacenter Manager. SOFTWERK's own infrastructure runs on Proxmox servers with multi-tiered Proxmox Backup Servers, demonstrating hands-on expertise. The partnership enables SOFTWERK to offer migration services from VMware and Hyper-V environments.
• DNUG (Deutsche Notes- und Domino-Anwendergruppe)minorOthersDNUG is the German Notes/Domino user group. SOFTWERK has been a member since its early days and since 2019 has a staff member on the DNUG board. The partnership provides access to a manufacturer-independent network for technical exchange and peer learning.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SALT Solutions: German IT services firm with deep IBM/HCL enterprise platform background providing integration and managed services. Comparable as a German-rooted partner delivering Notes/Domino-adjacent enterprise IT services to mid-market and enterprise clients.
• GOB Software & Systeme: German IT services specialist with strong HCL/IBM Notes and Domino focus, providing consulting, development, and support. Directly comparable niche groupware-and-Domino partner competing for the same HCL Business Partner ecosystem in Germany.
• novabit consulting: Bavaria-based HCL/IBM Notes and Domino consulting specialist offering development and support services. Comparable regional mid-sized competitor in the Notes/Domino niche within the German Mittelstand.
• TIMETOACT GROUP: German IT services group with HCL/IBM heritage covering collaboration, Notes/Domino, and adjacent enterprise platforms. Comparable as a larger German-language partner mixing reselling, consulting, and managed services across the same HCL stack.
• midpoints GmbH: German IT consulting firm specializing in HCL Notes/Domino, Connections, and Sametime with a Notes/Domino talent base similar to SOFTWERK's. Closest mid-sized peer in terms of HCL groupware partner model and customer profile.
• Panagenda: Austrian-headquartered Domino/Notes and HCL product specialist with German-speaking market presence, offering consulting, tools, and support. Comparable as a Notes/Domino-focused partner operating in the same DACH ecosystem and serving enterprise groupware customers.

Broad incumbents

• q.beyond AG: German mid-market IT services provider delivering managed services, cloud, and SAP/enterprise platform support. Comparable as a broader German IT services player serving Mittelstand customers with overlapping managed services and consulting offerings.
• Bechtle AG: One of Europe's largest IT system houses, providing end-to-end IT services including managed services, software licensing, and infrastructure across Germany. Comparable at the broad category level as a German IT system house competing in the same mid-market and enterprise segments, though at vastly larger scale.
• SVA System Vertrieb Alexander: Large German IT system house specializing in enterprise infrastructure, data center, and software licensing resale. Comparable as a broader German IT services incumbent where customers can purchase similar Notes/Domino and virtualization services, though without the HCL-only niche focus.

Others

• IServ GmbH: The vendor of the IServ school server platform that SOFTWERK resells and supports in Bavaria. Not a direct competitor but a key channel partner; relevant for understanding the school IT market SOFTWERK plays in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SOFTWERK_GmbH
• Facebookfacebook.com/softwerk.de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/softwerk-gmbh?trk=biz-companies-cym

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 SOFTWERK