bk systems
bk systems is a Northern German IT system house serving ~500–700 SMB and Mittelstand customers in Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, and Niedersachsen with managed IT, cybersecurity, cloud, document management, print, and external data protection services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersKaltenkirchen, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What bk systems does
bk systems GmbH is a German IT system house (IT Systemhaus) headquartered in Kaltenkirchen, Schleswig-Holstein, founded in 1988 (with prior operations under the bk documents name dating to 1983) and operating today as part of the GBC Group. Since 2020 the business has been organized as the bk systems Unternehmensgruppe, comprising four specialized GmbH entities: bk systems GmbH, bk systems IT Management GmbH, bk systems Digitalisierungs GmbH, and bk systems Datenschutz GmbH. The company serves approximately 500–700 small and medium-sized businesses (Mittelstand and KMU) in northern Germany — primarily Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, and Niedersachsen.
The core product is a Managed Services suite covering infrastructure monitoring and remote support, cybersecurity (delivered through Sophos endpoint, firewall, ZTNA, and email protection), backup and disaster recovery (Datto-powered BCDR with private cloud in Germany), and managed cloud services with 24/7 monitoring. This is complemented by digital workspace offerings built on Microsoft 365, DocuWare for document management, and JobRouter for workflow automation, plus Starface IP telephony, Ricoh/Utax managed print services, and an external Data Protection Officer (Datenschutzbeauftragter) subscription service starting at €149/month. The company differentiates through an integrated partner stack rather than proprietary technology, with no API or mobile app of its own.
Revenue is generated primarily through recurring monthly managed services contracts (priced per device or as all-inclusive packages), supplemented by hardware/software resale (servers, workstations, printers, licenses), Managed Print Services on page-volume or rental models, and project-based professional services including Microsoft 365 coaching, infrastructure analysis, and process digitization workshops. Go-to-market is sales-led and consultative, anchored on free initial info sessions booked via Calendly, with no paid digital advertising and minimal reliance on third-party channels. Founder Jörg Birkholz remains managing director, and the company has pursued organic growth without external institutional funding.
bk systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- bk systems
- Legal name
- bk systems GmbH
- Website
- https://bksystems.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- bk systems is a Northern German IT system house serving ~500–700 SMB and Mittelstand customers in Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, and Niedersachsen with managed IT, cybersecurity, cloud, document management, print, and external data protection services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
bk systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Managed IT Services
- NAICS
- Computer Facilities Management Services (541513), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Backup & DR Software Implementation & Managed Platforms (BPAEALAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Business Continuity Management (BCM) Platforms (HDABAIAD), IT Governance, Risk & Compliance (IT GRC) Platforms (HDAEALAK), Server Management, Orchestration & BMC/Remote Admin Systems (HDACABAK)
Keywords
Where bk systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kaltenkirchen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
bk systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Managed Services Contracts: Recurring monthly or annual managed services contracts covering IT infrastructure, security, cloud, and backup. Typically priced per device/endpoint or as all-inclusive packages. Core revenue driver with high retention.
- Hardware and Software Sales: Sale of servers, workstations, networking equipment, printers/MFPs, and software licenses. Can be purchased outright, leased, or rented. Also offers financing and trade-in programs.
- Print Solutions and MPS: Managed Print Services including hardware rental/leasing, consumables supply, and service contracts for print fleets. Revenue per page models and page-volume contracts.
- External Data Protection Officer (DSB): Recurring monthly subscription for external DSB services starting at €149/month. Additional consulting services billed by effort.
- Professional Services / Consulting: IT consulting, process workshops, coaching, and implementation services. Includes infrastructure analysis, process digitization workshops, and Microsoft 365 coaching. Billed per project or engagement.
- Individual Software Development: Custom application development, integration, and scripting services for bespoke business process automation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | External Data Protection Officer (DSB) - Basic |
| Subscription | Monthly | Managed Services - Business |
| Subscription | Monthly | Managed Services - All Inclusive |
| Subscription | Annual | Digital Office / DMS |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
bk systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
bk systems GmbH is a northern German IT system house that delivers managed IT services (infrastructure, security, backup, cloud), document management (DMS), managed print services, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365 integration, and external data protection officer services to small and mid-sized businesses. The company acts as a single-source IT partner, bundling consulting, implementation, and 24/7 operations under multi-year service contracts.
Product overview
bk systems GmbH is an IT system house (IT Systemhaus) offering a portfolio of managed services and digital solutions organized around four specialized GmbH entities under the bk systems group. The core offering is the Managed Services suite — covering Managed Infrastructure Service (proactive monitoring and remote support), Managed Security Service (Sophos-powered cybersecurity), Managed Backup Service (Datto-powered BCDR), and Managed Cloud Service (cloud migration and management). This is complemented by digital workspace solutions including Dokumentenmanagement (DMS via DocuWare), Prozess- und Workflow-Management (via JobRouter), Microsoft 365 implementation with remote printing, IT security consulting, and an external data protection officer service (starting at €149/month). Print solutions include MFP systems and Managed Print Services (MPS). A customer-facing Solutions Hub portal and printer service ticketing portal round out the digital service delivery platform. The company operates as a Microsoft and Sophos Silver partner, integrating Microsoft 365, Sophos, Datto, DocuWare, JobRouter, and Starface into its managed service delivery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Managed IT Services (Infrastructure, Security, Backup, Cloud)
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 30% savings on print costs through Managed Print Services (MPS)
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use bk systems
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
bk systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature10 records
bk systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- DattocoreDatto provides backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions. bk systems offers Datto backup solutions as part of its managed services portfolio, enabling customers to protect their data with fully virtualized recovery in a private cloud.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft Small Business Specialist partner. bk systems resells and implements Microsoft 365, Azure cloud solutions, and related Microsoft products. Provides Microsoft 365 consulting, migration, and user coaching services.
- SophoscoreSophos Silver Partner providing modern cloud-managed cybersecurity solutions including endpoint protection, firewall, ZTNA, and email security. The partnership enables comprehensive managed security services for SMB customers.
- DocuWarecoreDocuWare Authorised Partner providing document management system (DMS) solutions for digital documents, workflow automation, and electronic archiving. DocuWare is a key platform for the company's digital office and process automation offerings.
- JobRoutercoreJobRouter workflow management partner. Provides workflow automation and document process solutions complementing DocuWare for the company's digital office and process optimization services.
- StarfacecoreStarface Excellence Partner providing IP telephone systems and unified communications solutions. Starface is described as a multi-award winning 'Made in Germany' phone system for SMEs.
- RicohcoreRicoh Premier Dealer for office and production printing. Provides multifunction printers (MFP) and print solutions as part of the company's managed print services offering.
- UtaxminorPartner for print and copier systems, complementing the Ricoh portfolio for customers seeking alternative hardware options.
- Robuste PartnerminorDigital agency and business consulting firm that has worked with bk systems for 6+ years. Provides website development, branding, digital marketing, and HR consulting services. Recommended as external marketing department support for bk systems customers seeking digital marketing services.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
bk systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GFT Technologies SE: German IT services and consulting firm with managed services, cloud and digital transformation offerings, predominantly for financial services and Mittelstand. Comparable SMB/mid-market IT services provider.
- CANCOM SE: German-headquartered managed services and cloud provider focused on SMB and mid-market customers with Microsoft, security and workplace offerings. Comparable Mittelstand-focused managed services and cloud catalogue.
- CENIT AG: German IT consulting and software/services firm with managed services, document management and digital transformation offerings. Comparable Mittelstand-focused IT services provider with overlapping vendor partnerships.
- Controlware GmbH: German system house and managed services provider for network, security, data center and cloud. Comparable regional German MSP serving Mittelstand with a similar vendor-partner-centric delivery model.
- Bechtle AG: Germany's largest IT system house, offering managed services, hardware/software, cloud and workplace solutions to Mittelstand and enterprise. Closely comparable business model to bk systems, just at much larger scale and national footprint.
- SVA System Vertrieb Alexander GmbH: German IT system house focused on data center, cloud, managed services and security for enterprise customers. Highly comparable to bk systems as a vendor-led, German-rooted system integrator/MSP.
Broad incumbents
- Allgeier SE: German IT services group covering managed services, software and consulting across multiple verticals. Comparable at the group level for managed services and digital transformation but with a much broader portfolio and larger scale.
- NTT DATA Deutschland GmbH: Large global IT services provider with a strong German Mittelstand and enterprise business including managed services, cloud, SAP and security. Comparable end-customer overlap but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
- Computacenter plc: Large European IT infrastructure and managed services provider with significant German operations. Overlaps with bk systems on managed workplace, security and infrastructure services for enterprise/mid-market but operates at significantly larger scale.
- DATEV eG: German cooperative IT services provider serving tax advisors, auditors and Mittelstand SMEs with managed software, infrastructure and compliance services. Comparable Mittelstand/SMB customer base and recurring services motion, though anchored in tax/accounting software.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
bk systems social profiles
Digital presencebk systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
bk systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
bk systems subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
bk systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
bk systems 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 bk systems
What does bk systems do?
bk systems GmbH is a northern German IT system house that delivers managed IT services (infrastructure, security, backup, cloud), document management (DMS), managed print services, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365 integration, and external data protection officer services to small and mid-sized businesses. The company acts as a single-source IT partner, bundling consulting, implementation, and 24/7 operations under multi-year service contracts.
Is bk systems a public or private company?
bk systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was bk systems founded?
bk systems was founded in 1988. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is bk systems based?
bk systems is headquartered in Kaltenkirchen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does bk systems make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Managed Services Contracts are the primary driver. The others are hardware and Software Sales, print Solutions and MPS, external Data Protection Officer (DSB), professional Services / Consulting and individual Software Development.
Who are bk systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GFT Technologies SE, CANCOM SE, CENIT AG, Controlware GmbH, Bechtle AG and SVA System Vertrieb Alexander GmbH. Broad incumbents are Allgeier SE, NTT DATA Deutschland GmbH, Computacenter plc and DATEV eG.
Does bk systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for bk systems.
What industry is bk systems in?
bk systems's product category is Managed IT Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEALAI, Backup & DR Software Implementation & Managed Platforms, with a secondary code of HDABAIAD, Business Continuity Management (BCM) Platforms. Its NAICS code is 541513 and its SIC code is 7373.