Softzoll

What Softzoll does

Softzoll GmbH & Co. KG is a Berlin-based, privately held German limited partnership specializing in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) software and managed services for business-to-business document exchange. Founded in the mid-2000s and operating with approximately 30 employees, the company develops and distributes its proprietary edibus EDI converter platform, which supports multiple standards (EDIFACT, XML, ANSI X12, VDA, TRADACOM) and communication protocols (AS2, OFTP2, SFTP, X.400). Its portfolio spans the edibus core platform, a Communicator client, and modular add-ons for monitoring, routing, archiving, automated message generation, webshop integration, and German XRechnung e-invoicing, with an ISO 27001-certified Berlin data center supporting hosted deployments.

The company monetizes through three deployment models: EDI-Inhouse (one-time/perpetual license for on-premise installations), EDI-Outsourcing (subscription recurring access to Softzoll's EDI server), and Full Service Hosting (managed services with dedicated EDI systems). Distribution is primarily direct enterprise sales, supplemented by hub/clearing relationships with Markant and Metro-Systems and X.400 connectivity via Deutsche Telekom. Softzoll serves more than 25 European countries plus the USA, targeting manufacturing companies, automotive suppliers, retail/wholesale suppliers, and logistics providers. Named enterprise customers include Hauck, Froneri (Nestlé/R&R JV), GEDORE, Royal Canin, RUF Lebensmittelwerk, Trolli (Mederer), Dallmayr, Friedrich Graepel, A.S. Création Tapeten, and Intermarkt Thielen. The platform integrates natively with 20+ ERP systems including SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle JD Edwards, ABAS, Infor, Sage, PROALPHA, and IFS.

Operationally, Softzoll has grown organically without disclosed external funding or institutional investors. It holds certifications including ODETTE interoperability, Software Made in Germany, ISO 27001, TÜV NORD, Creditreform CrefoZert, and TopRating. The company is led by Managing Director Jörg Michael Uhlemann (via general partner Softzoll Verwaltungs GmbH), with Christian Ripping heading sales. The legal entity is registered at Amtsgericht Charlottenburg (HRA 37070), and the headquarters and data center are co-located at Pappelallee 78/79 in Berlin.

Name

Softzoll

Legal name

Softzoll GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://softzoll.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Softzoll GmbH & Co. KG is a Berlin-based EDI software specialist serving manufacturing, automotive, retail, and logistics enterprises across 25+ European countries through its proprietary edibus converter platform, offered as on-premise licenses, subscriptions, and managed hosting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374)

akta.pro primary industry

B2B/EDI & Partner Integration (BPAMAOAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

B2B/EDI & Supply Chain Process Automation Platforms (HDAEAHAK), ERP/CRM/HRIS Implementation & Integration (BPAEAAAE), Enterprise Application Managed Services Outsourcing (ERP/CRM/HRIS AMS) (BPAEAMAI)

Keywords

• EDI software solutions
• Electronic data interchange
• ERP integration services
• Managed EDI hosting
• EDI communication protocols

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. EDI-Inhouse Software License: On-premise EDI software installation with neutral documented interfaces. Customers install and operate the EDI solution on their own systems with technical support available from Softzoll.
2. EDI-Outsourcing/ASP Hosting: EDI account provided on Softzoll's EDI server in their Berlin data center. Full access to edibus functionality without customer infrastructure investment.
3. Full Service EDI Hosting: Complete managed EDI hosting with dedicated EDI systems, monitoring, routing, archiving, and full service support for EDI data logistics.
4. EDI Communication Services: Data communication services including AS2, OFTP2, SFTP, X.400 connectivity through Softzoll's network infrastructure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Softzoll develops and distributes software solutions for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), enabling companies to electronically process and exchange business documents (invoices, purchase orders, delivery notes, etc.) with customers, suppliers, and logistics partners across multiple formats (EDIFACT, XML, ANSI X12, VDA, TRADACOM) and protocols (AS2, OFTP2, SFTP, X.400). The company offers its products both as on-premise (Inhouse) installations and as outsourced ASP/hosting services through its EDI Service Center in Berlin, with pre-built integrations for 20+ ERP systems.

Product overview

Softzoll is an EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) specialist offering a unified platform architecture centered on the edibus EDI converter as the core product. The portfolio consists of deployment options (EDI-Inhouse for on-premise, EDI-Outsourcing and EDI-Hosting for cloud-based services) and specialized add-on modules including the Softzoll-Communicator for data communication, EDI-Monitoring for message tracking, EDI-Routing for secure data transmission, EDI-Archivierung for archiving, and EDI-Automatik for automated message processing. Additional integration modules cover WebShop integration, Customer Shop integration, and XRechnung support. The edibus platform serves as the central engine powering all solutions, enabling format conversion (EDIFACT, XML, ANSI X12, VDA, TRADACOM) and supporting various communication protocols (AS2, OFTP2, SFTP, X.400).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• edibus: The EDI converter product by Softzoll that offers all functionalities of a high-end data center solution, available both as an inhouse system and for ASP/outsourcing deployment.
• Softzoll Communicator
• edibus EDI-Plattform
• Softzoll EDI-Server

Products and services

• edibus EDI Converter Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• Cost reduction through elimination of manual processes and paper-based document handling
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration30 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SAPcoreTechnology or IntegrationSoftzoll provides EDI integration solutions for SAP systems including SAP ERP, SAP Business One, and SAP iDoc interfaces. Supports XML IDOC integration via https (tRFC) and standard EDIFACT formats.
• Microsoft DynamicscoreTechnology or IntegrationEDI integration with Microsoft Dynamics ERP systems including Dynamics NAV/Naville and other Microsoft business solutions.
• Oracle (JD Edwards)coreTechnology or IntegrationDeep integration with JDEdwards ERP systems via SQL tables, enabling significant cost savings for customers.
• ABAScoreTechnology or IntegrationEDI integration with ABAS ERP systems, including seamless ERP integration projects.
• InforcoreTechnology or IntegrationFormat-independent integration with Infor ERP systems including Infor-LN and Infor-ERP platforms.
• Metro-Systems (Metro Group IT)coreTechnology or IntegrationMetro-Systems is the internal IT provider of Metro Group managing all EDI communication for the Metro Group companies. Softzoll has extensive experience integrating with Metro's EDI requirements.
• Deutsche Telekom (X.400 Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationSoftzoll utilizes the Deutsche Telekom X.400 network for EDI communication with major German retailers (Rewe, Edeka). Supports the new X.400 Message Gateway enabling SFTP-based access to replace legacy FileWork client.
• MarkantcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarkant is a central EDI hub and central regulator for numerous European retail chains. Softzoll enables customers to connect to Markant's EDI clearing services for processing with retailers like dm, Metro, Globus, Rossmann, and others.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Babelway: Cloud-native EDI and B2B integration platform targeting mid-market. Comparable on EDI-on-cloud delivery model and ERP connectivity, though smaller and more focused on SaaS-delivered EDI than on-premise.

Broad incumbents

• SPS Commerce: Retail-focused EDI network and managed services provider. Comparable in retailer-supplier EDI use cases (e.g., Lidl, Rewe, Metro) but operates at substantially larger scale with a SaaS-only delivery model.
• TrueCommerce: Global EDI network and integration platform with strong retail/CPG focus. Overlaps with Softzoll's order-to-cash EDI for retailers, though primarily SaaS-led and North-America-rooted.
• SAP Integration Suite / SAP PI/PO: SAP's native integration middleware and EDI capability embedded in the SAP ecosystem. Competes indirectly as an alternative to Softzoll's SAP iDoc integrations for enterprise customers that prefer single-vendor ERP integration stacks.
• OpenText (incl. GXS): Global B2B integration giant (formerly GXS) offering managed EDI services and Trading Grid. Overlaps significantly with Softzoll's hosting/managed services, but at vastly larger scale and as part of broader information management portfolio.
• IBM Sterling: IBM's B2B integration and managed file transfer suite serving global supply chains. Competes for the same enterprise EDI/ERP integration mandate but at enterprise scale with much broader capabilities.

Direct peers

• Lobster GmbH (Lobster_data): German provider of EDI, B2B/EDI, and API integration software. Comparable niche specialist competing in DACH with similar customer profile (mid-market manufacturers and retailers).
• SEEBURGER: German-headquartered B2B/EDI integration specialist offering a unified platform for EDI, MFT, API, and ERP integration. Closest direct competitor to Softzoll in the DACH mid-market EDI segment, with broader scale and a wider product portfolio.
• TIE Kinetix: Dutch-based EDI and e-invoicing network operator (parent of former Crossinx). Provides managed EDI services and integration platform to mid-market enterprises in Europe, directly comparable in business model and customer base.
• DiCentral: EDI managed services and ERP integration provider serving manufacturers and retailers. Direct comparable on EDI-as-a-service and ERP connector business model, with a stronger North American footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Softzoll