Activation

What Activation does

Activation GmbH is a privately held German IT services company headquartered in Esslingen am Neckar (Baden-Württemberg), with additional branch offices in Owen (Teck region) and Aglasterhausen (Neckar-Odenwald). The firm delivers end-to-end IT infrastructure services to German small and medium-sized enterprises (KMU), spanning cloud hosting (its branded activHosting product), network and server solutions, customized multi-year support contracts, IT consulting, ERP implementation as a certified microtech partner (büro+ and ERP-complete), and unified communications including VoIP and cloud telephony. Technical delivery relies on conventional MSP tooling — TeamViewer for remote maintenance, Microsoft/Apple/VMware/Proxmox/LANCOM/Fortinet stacks — and on dedicated account managers rather than self-service platforms.

The company monetizes primarily through subscription-style managed service contracts, project-based consulting engagements, hardware and software resale, and cloud hosting subscriptions; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is sales-led, leveraging a website (activation.de), a Facebook presence, partner referrals, and a free initial consultation. Customer acquisition targets German KMU across diverse industries with no single vertical anchor, and revenue is anchored by continuous monitoring and documentation that create moderate switching costs once systems are optimized by Activation. The firm operates without disclosed institutional investors, parent company, funding events, or public shareholders, and is led by two managing directors, Jörg Bardas and Oliver Bicanic, named in the Impressum.

Name

Activation

Legal name

activation GmbH

Website

https://activation.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Activation GmbH is a privately held German IT services company based in Esslingen that delivers managed IT infrastructure — cloud hosting, networking, ERP implementation, and unified communications — to small and medium-sized enterprises across Baden-Württemberg.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Managed IT Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise Integration, iPaaS & Middleware Services (API/EDI) (BPAEAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Enterprise Architecture & IT Operating Model (BPAHAEAB)

Keywords

• Managed IT services
• Cloud hosting
• Network infrastructure
• ERP implementation
• IT consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Esslingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Managed IT Services: Ongoing IT support and maintenance services delivered through customized service contracts. The company emphasizes tailored agreements rather than off-the-shelf contracts, with continuous monitoring and documentation.
2. Consulting Services: IT consulting for optimization, system analysis, and strategic planning of IT infrastructure to improve performance and productivity.
3. Network and Server Solutions: Design, installation, and configuration of network infrastructure and server environments for businesses of all sizes.
4. Hosting/Cloud Services: Cloud-based hosting solutions providing accessible work environments with high availability, security, and reliability for business data.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

activation GmbH is a German IT services provider that delivers end-to-end business IT infrastructure for small and medium enterprises. Its portfolio spans cloud/hosting services (activHosting), network and server solutions, customized IT support contracts, strategic IT consulting, communication solutions (VoIP, cloud telephony), and ERP software implementation as a certified microtech partner (büro+ and ERP-complete).

Product overview

Activation GmbH is an IT services company offering a portfolio of managed services for business IT infrastructure. The core offering includes activHosting (cloud/hosting services), Netzwerk/Serverlösung (network infrastructure), Netzwerk Support (maintenance contracts), Consulting (strategic IT advisory), Kommunikation (unified communications including VoIP and cloud telephony), and Warenwirtschaft/ERP (ERP implementation as microtech partner). The activHosting platform provides cloud workplace solutions, while the ERP services center on microtech's büro+ and ERP-complete products which share a common data architecture. Support services span Microsoft Windows, Apple, LANCOM, EMC, Synology, QNap, and Office environments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• activHosting Cloud-based hosting solution providing always-available work environments accessible from any laptop. Includes secure data storage, high-availability setup, and fixed-price monitoring with personal account management for business customers.
• Netzwerk/Serverlösung Network and server infrastructure solutions including network architecture planning, hardware/software analysis, wired and wireless (WLAN) installation, multi-site interconnection, and topology configuration. Serves businesses from small operations to large enterprise server environments.
• Netzwerk Support Customized IT support contracts with proactive system preparation, immediate response capabilities, and clear documentation. Supports Microsoft Windows, Apple, LANCOM, EMC, Synology, QNap, and Office environments.
• Consulting IT consulting services including strategic planning, system analysis, infrastructure optimization, and technology recommendations. Focuses on functionality, stability, fault tolerance, and future-proofing of client IT systems.
• Warenwirtschaft/ERP ERP implementation services as a certified microtech partner, providing büro+ and ERP-complete software for inventory management, financial accounting, and payroll processing. Includes software installation, customization, data migration from legacy systems, and certified specialist support for small and medium businesses.
• Kommunikation Communication solutions including VoIP, cloud telephony, fax-to-mail, and mailbox systems. Covers telephone system installation, maintenance, and blackout response with partner support.
• microtech büro+ SME-focused ERP software available in three tiers (professional, commercial, universal) with an intuitive interface for inventory management, financial accounting, and payroll. Same data structure across tiers enables seamless upgrades.
• microtech ERP-complete Full-featured ERP solution with maximum customization and flexibility, fully adaptable to company-specific processes. Shares data structure and interface with büro+ for easy transition.

Quantifiable outcome

• Continuous system monitoring included in fixed-price service contracts

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and standard.

• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft technology partner displayed as logo partner on website. Provides Microsoft-based solutions and integrations for customers.
• VMwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationVMware virtualization technology partner providing server and desktop virtualization solutions.
• FortinetcoreTechnology or IntegrationFortinet cybersecurity and network security solutions partner for firewall and network protection.
• AcroniscoreTechnology or IntegrationAcronis backup and disaster recovery solutions partner for data protection services.
• LANCOM SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationLANCOM network solutions partner for routers, firewalls, and wireless network infrastructure.
• FujitsustandardTechnology or IntegrationFujitsu hardware partner for servers, storage, and client computing devices.
• LenovostandardTechnology or IntegrationLenovo hardware partner for business computers and servers (Lenovo360 Gold partner).
• microtechcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAs microtech Partner, Activation resells büro+ and ERP-complete ERP software solutions. The partnership includes certified specialists who can implement, customize, and support the software for small and medium businesses. Activation provides installation, customization, data migration from legacy systems, and ongoing support.
• DATEVstandardTechnology or IntegrationDATEV accounting and tax software integration partner for financial processes.
• ProxmoxstandardTechnology or IntegrationProxmox VE open-source virtualization platform partner for server virtualization solutions.
• ELOstandardTechnology or IntegrationELO document management solutions partner for digital document workflows.
• AcmeostandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAcmeo is a distribution partner for IT service providers, providing access to products and services for the reseller channel.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ACP Group: German IT services and system house offering managed services, cloud, security, and workplace solutions across multiple German regions — closely comparable regional IT services competitor to activation.
• Bechtle AG: Largest German-headquartered IT system house and managed services provider serving SMB and mid-market customers with infrastructure, networking, software, and services — directly comparable to activation's full-lifecycle IT services portfolio for German KMU.
• controlware GmbH: German managed services and systems integrator specializing in network, security, and datacenter infrastructure for mid-market and enterprise customers — directly comparable core competency to activation's network/server and managed services practice.
• CANCOM SE: German-listed managed services and IT solutions provider focused on hybrid cloud, infrastructure, and workplace services for mid-market and enterprise — directly comparable offering mix to activation, though at significantly greater scale.
• SVA System Vertrieb Alexander GmbH: German IT systems integrator and managed services provider with deep vendor partnerships across enterprise infrastructure — closely comparable to activation's role as a multi-vendor MSP for German SMBs.

Broad incumbents

• Allgeier SE: German-listed technology group offering IT services, consulting, and software solutions across multiple verticals — overlaps with activation's IT consulting and managed services but at much broader scope and scale.
• Computacenter plc: UK-headquartered enterprise IT infrastructure provider with a substantial German operation delivering managed services, workplace, and datacenter solutions — broad incumbent competing with activation for mid-market and enterprise IT services spend in Germany.
• Avanade (Germany): Global joint venture between Accenture and Microsoft focused on Microsoft technology consulting and managed services — comparable to activation's Microsoft-centric IT services positioning, particularly the ERP and Microsoft stack integration work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/activationgmbh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/activation-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Activation