What SACO does

SACO Software and Consulting GmbH is a privately held German IT services and consulting firm founded in 1994 and headquartered in Hafenlohr (near Würzburg). The company operates as a one-stop IT partner for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe, with stated headcount of approximately 20–30 employees. Its service portfolio spans IT consulting, IT system audits (IDW-conform with ISACA-certified auditors), managed services (24/7 server monitoring at €39/month per instance, helpdesk, partial/full outsourcing), and IT infrastructure deployment spanning VMware/Proxmox virtualization, server and storage systems, and security. The product portfolio centers on two ERP platforms — APPone for the fashion/apparel mid-market and openAPPone (built on OpenERP) as a cloud-based, subscription-priced modular ERP at €19.90–€29/user/month — supported by an integrated suite of branded add-ons including SACO Cloud (Nextcloud-based file sharing from €59.90/month), SACO Cloud Backup (€6.49/month in ISO 27001-certified German data centers), SACO Meeting (Big Blue Button-based video conferencing at €99/month), SACO Cop firewall appliances (proprietary FreeBSD-based S/M/L models), SACO Home Office Connect / SHOC (Apache Guacamole-based remote access), SACO VoIP (pascom), SACO Mail & Groupware (Kerio Connect), ecoDMS document management, and the SACO DSMS data protection management system (€9.90/month, free for DPO contract customers).

The company's business model blends project-based professional services and one-time hardware revenue (SACO Cop firewalls) with a growing base of recurring monthly subscriptions across software (ERP, cloud, meeting, DSMS) and managed services contracts. Distribution is direct sales-led, with a dedicated Head of Sales (Konstantinos Nikou) and Account Manager roles covering specific postal code territories (PLZ 63/97), supplemented by an English-language website enabling pan-European self-service discovery. Customer concentration skews to the German Mittelstand with notable vertical depth in fashion and apparel (Drykorn, Hiltl Hosen Manufaktur, Damrich Bekleidung, Schüssler & Zachmann, ROFA FASHION GROUP) and selective municipal government work (Stadtverwaltung Lohr a. Main). The firm is owned and led by co-Managing Directors Dipl.-Wirt. Ing. (FH) Thorsten Beck and Peter Schubert (holding CISA, CRISC, CDPSE certifications), with no disclosed external institutional investment, M&A activity, or funding rounds. SACO has held training company (Ausbildungsbetrieb) status since 1996 and operates an apprenticeship pipeline across IT system management, system integration, and application development.

Revenue predictability is anchored in multi-year managed service contracts, ERP subscriptions, and 20+ year customer tenures (e.g., ROFA FASHION GROUP), though disclosed revenue, ARR, and growth metrics are absent. AI/ML capabilities are limited to classical OCR (Tesseract) and rule-based document classification within ecoDMS; the firm does not develop proprietary AI models and has no AI-focused research or hiring signals. Geographically, SACO maintains DEU as its primary market with stated activity across Europe, supported by ISO 27001 and GDPR-compliant hosting in German data centers.

Name

SACO

Legal name

SACO Software and Consulting GmbH

Website

https://saco.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Short description

SACO Software and Consulting GmbH is a German IT services and consulting firm (founded 1994, Hafenlohr) that delivers integrated ERP (openAPPone/APPone), cloud, firewall, and managed services to small and medium-sized enterprises across Europe, with notable vertical depth in fashion and apparel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IT Managed Services

NAICS

Software Publishers (513210), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Core ERP Suites (Financials, Procurement, Projects) (HDAEAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

ERP Implementation & Systems Integration Services (BPAEAGAA), IT Service Desk & End-User Support (L1/L2) (BPAAACAA)

Keywords

• IT managed services
• ERP software solutions
• Cloud infrastructure services
• IT security consulting
• GDPR compliance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hafenlohr

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. ERP Software Subscriptions (openAPPone / APPone): SACO offers the openAPPone ERP platform as a cloud-based rental solution, billed per user per month (subscription model). The modular architecture enables incremental adoption and upsell as customers expand usage. openAPPone is positioned as an affordable alternative for SMEs.
2. Cloud Services (SACO Cloud, SACO Cloud Backup): SACO Cloud (file storage and sharing based on Nextcloud) and SACO Cloud Backup are offered as monthly subscription services, with no minimum contract period for Cloud Backup. These generate predictable recurring revenue from SME customers seeking secure, compliant cloud infrastructure.
3. Managed Services (Monitoring, Helpdesk, Outsourcing): Managed services including 24/7 server monitoring, user helpdesk (SACO Online Support Centre, SACO Helpbox), and partial/full IT outsourcing are sold as recurring monthly service contracts. Monitoring is priced at €39/month per instance. These services provide predictable recurring revenue and strengthen customer retention.
4. SACO Cop Firewall Hardware and Licensing: SACO designs, configures, and sells its own line of SACO Cop firewall appliances (S, M, L models) as one-time hardware sales with associated software/firmware. These generate one-time hardware revenue with potential follow-on managed service contracts.
5. SACO Meeting (Video Conferencing): Video conferencing service (SACO Meeting based on Big Blue Button) is offered as a monthly subscription at €99/month, targeting SMEs requiring GDPR-compliant video conferencing with German data hosting.
6. Professional Services (IT Consulting, IT System Audits): SACO provides IT consulting, implementation, and IT system audits (IDW-conform, ISACA-certified auditors) as professional services engagements. These are typically project-based one-time engagements that complement the recurring software and managed services revenue.
7. DSMS and DPO Services: Data protection management system (DSMS) is offered at €9.90/month; the tool is provided free to SACO's data protection officer (DPO) contract customers. External DPO services (certified data protection officer) are offered as ongoing contractual arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SACO Software and Consulting GmbH delivers end-to-end IT services and software to small and medium-sized European enterprises, including proprietary ERP platforms (openAPPone/APPone), branded cloud and video-conferencing services (SACO Cloud, SACO Meeting), next-generation firewall hardware (SACO Cop), managed 24/7 IT services, document management, VoIP, mail/groupware, IT consulting, GDPR/data protection services, and IDW-conform IT system audits. The company combines proprietary products with configured open-source platforms to provide a unified IT partner offering rather than point products.

Product overview

SACO Software and Consulting GmbH is an IT services company offering a portfolio of products and services for small and medium-sized enterprises. The core offering includes two ERP systems: openAPPone (cloud-based, built on Open ERP) and APPone (targeted at medium-sized companies). These are supplemented by a comprehensive range of integrated add-on modules including SACO Meeting (video conferencing based on Big Blue Button), SACO Cloud and SACO Cloud Backup (based on Nextcloud), SACO Cop firewalls, SACO VoIP (using pascom), SACO Mail & Groupware (Kerio Connect), ecoDMS document management, and SACO DSMS for GDPR compliance. The company also provides professional services including IT consulting, managed services, IT infrastructure solutions, IT system audits, and external DPO services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• openAPPone: Cloud-based ERP, E-Commerce, CRM, POS software solution
• APPone
• SACO Cloud
• SACO Cloud Backup
• SACO Meeting
• SACO Firewall (SACO Cop)
• SACO Home Office Connect (SHOC)
• SACO DSMS
• SACO Server Monitoring 24/7
• ecoDMS

Products and services

• openAPPone

Quantifiable outcome

• Server infrastructure managed continuously 24/7/365 with event escalation per agreed SLAs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• OpenERP / OpenObjectcoreTechnology or IntegrationopenAPPone ERP is built on the OpenERP platform, which provides the foundational open-source ERP framework with thousands of applications and add-ons. SACO uses this as the basis for its proprietary, customized ERP solution for SMEs, extended with customer-specific modules and configurations.
• NextcloudcoreTechnology or IntegrationSACO Cloud is based on the open-source Nextcloud platform, which provides the foundation for SACO's cloud file storage, sharing, and collaboration services. SACO leverages Nextcloud's security focus and adds its own configuration, support, and integration.
• Big Blue Button (blindsidenetworks / blindside networks)coreTechnology or IntegrationSACO Meeting is built on the open-source Big Blue Button web conferencing system. SACO hosts and configures the platform in its German ISO 27001-certified data centre, offering a GDPR-compliant video conferencing service under the SACO Meeting brand.
• Kerio Technologies (WinMagic)coreTechnology or IntegrationKerio Connect is used by SACO as the email and groupware solution offered to customers — an alternative to Microsoft Exchange for small and medium-sized businesses. SACO resells, implements, and supports Kerio Connect as part of its managed services portfolio.
• VMwaremajorTechnology or IntegrationSACO uses VMware for commercial server and storage virtualization solutions in customer IT infrastructures. VMware is part of SACO's preferred technology stack alongside Proxmox for open-source virtualization.
• Proxmox VE (Proxmox Server Solutions)majorTechnology or IntegrationSACO prefers Proxmox VE technologies for open-source virtualization in its customer environments, as an alternative to VMware for cost-sensitive SME customers.
• Apache Software Foundation (Apache Guacamole)coreTechnology or IntegrationSACO Home Office Connect (SHOC) is based on the open-source Apache Guacamole remote desktop gateway. SACO configures and delivers this as a secure, browser-based home office connectivity solution without requiring client software.
• ecoDMS GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationecoDMS is the platform-independent document management system promoted and implemented by SACO. SACO resells, implements, and supports ecoDMS to customers seeking digital document archiving, full-text search, and GoBD-compliant document management.
• pascom GmbH & Co. KGcoreTechnology or IntegrationSACO implements and supports pascom VoIP solutions for customer telephone systems. pascom is an open-source-based IP telephony platform that SACO deploys in appliance, virtual machine, and cloud configurations for SME customers.
• Leading Technology Partners (unspecified)majorTechnology or IntegrationSACO states that it delivers a complete package from consulting to implementation in partnership with leading technology partners. Specific named partners across the website include VMware, Proxmox, OpenERP, Nextcloud, Big Blue Button, Kerio, pascom, ecoDMS, Apache Guacamole, and FreeBSD. These partnerships underpin SACO's integrated IT services approach.
• IDW (Institut für Wirtschaftsprüfer in Deutschland e.V.)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSACO's IT auditors deliver IDW-conform IT system audits based on IDW auditing standards developed by the Institute of Public Auditors in Germany (Institut für Wirtschaftsprüfer in Deutschland e.V.), aligned with ISA (International Standards on Auditing).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• abas Software: abas Software is a German ERP vendor serving mid-market manufacturers and SMEs, including fashion and discrete manufacturing. Direct overlap with SACO's APPone ERP offering for mid-market clients, with similar pricing discipline and German data sovereignty positioning.
• Asseco Solutions (APplus): Asseco Solutions provides APplus ERP for SMEs and mid-market companies, with strong presence in German-speaking markets. It competes head-to-head with SACO's APPone/openAPPone in manufacturing, wholesale, and services verticals.
• Kraft ERP (Kraft Business): Kraft ERP is a German ERP provider also built on the OpenERP/Odoo open-source platform, offering modular, branch-independent ERP for German SMEs. Closest technology and product analog to SACO's openAPPone, including similar SME pricing and customization model.
• Cloud Fashion (formerly Impect): Cloud Fashion (formerly Impect GmbH) is a German SaaS ERP provider specifically serving the fashion and apparel industry. Like SACO, it targets German and European fashion SMEs with industry-specific ERP, making it one of the most direct competitors in SACO's strongest vertical.
• mesonic (Wincarat): mesonic is an Austrian-German ERP and business software vendor serving small and medium-sized enterprises. Comparable to SACO with a similarly horizontal SME focus, predictable per-seat subscription pricing, and German-speaking market orientation.

Regional players

• Atoss: Atoss is a German workforce management and digital time-tracking software provider serving SMEs and large enterprises. Comparable to SACO as a German SME-focused software and services vendor with subscription-based offerings and a horizontal Mittelstand go-to-market approach.
• SHD (SHD AG): SHD is a German IT services and software provider with strong retail and wholesale vertical positioning. Comparable to SACO in serving German Mittelstand with integrated IT services and ERP-adjacent solutions, primarily in the DACH region.

Broad incumbents

• Allgeier: Allgeier is a much larger German IT services and consulting group serving enterprise and mid-market clients across multiple verticals. Comparable to SACO in offering managed services, IT consulting, and software integration, but at significantly larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Bechtle: Bechtle is one of Germany's largest IT services and managed services providers, with deep SME and mid-market coverage. Overlaps with SACO's managed services, cloud, and infrastructure offerings but operates at much greater scale and geographic breadth.

Emerging players

• SUSE: SUSE is a global open-source enterprise infrastructure provider (Linux, Kubernetes, edge). Structurally relevant to SACO since SACO is built heavily on open-source foundations (OpenERP, Nextcloud, Big Blue Button, Apache Guacamole, FreeBSD); SUSE represents a potential partner or competitor at the open-source infrastructure layer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 SACO