Performa
Performa AG is a Swiss software company founded in 1995 that develops PerformX (on-premise) and Advantis (cloud) CRM/ERP platforms for education institutions and trade associations in Switzerland, with deep Abacus ERP integration.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersLucerne, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Performa does
Performa AG is a privately held Swiss software company founded in 1995 and headquartered in Luzern, specializing in CRM and ERP software for the Swiss education and association administration sector. The company develops two core platforms: PerformX, the on-premise ERP/CRM solution originally launched in 1995, and Advantis, a cloud-based platform (rebranded from PerformX Cloud in late 2025) offering equivalent functionality with managed hosting and automatic updates. Both products are purpose-built for Bildungs- und Verbandsadministration — covering address and CRM management, course and education administration, association and membership handling, resource planning, invoicing with installment billing, honorarium accounting, grading, and web portal integration. Modular architecture allows customer-specific configuration, and native integration with Abacus ERP (used by 7 of 8 customers), Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM, OpenOlat LMS, schulNetz grading, Untis scheduling, and SAP provides the integration backbone.
Performa generates revenue through four streams: PerformX software licensing, Advantis cloud subscriptions, professional services (consulting, parametrization, training, go-live support), and ongoing maintenance/support — all on custom enterprise pricing with annual billing cycles. The company operates exclusively through direct enterprise field sales with no channel partners, serving over 100 customer projects in Switzerland across education institutions, professional associations, non-profits, and trade federations. Go-to-market combines direct engagement, quarterly webinars for existing customers, prospect webinars, and presence at Swiss industry events (Zebi, OLMA, LUGA). The team of approximately 15 visible professionals is supported by a 20-year development partnership with Encodo Systems AG for core software engineering.
Founded by Joe Bienz (who retired in April 2025) and co-developed with Partner Adi Bärtschi and Partner Florian Meister, Performa is founder-owned with no disclosed external investors, no parent company, and no M&A activity. The company remains focused on the Swiss domestic market with no international expansion, no public revenue disclosure, and no disclosed funding rounds.
Performa firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Performa
- Legal name
- Performa AG
- Website
- https://performa.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Performa AG is a Swiss software company founded in 1995 that develops PerformX (on-premise) and Advantis (cloud) CRM/ERP platforms for education institutions and trade associations in Switzerland, with deep Abacus ERP integration.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Performa industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Education and Association Administration Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (513210), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- ERP/CRM/HRIS Implementation & Integration (BPAEAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Core ERP Suites (Financials, Procurement, Projects) (HDAEAEAA), Sales Force Automation (SFA) CRM (HDAEAFAA), CRM Implementation & Customization Services (BPAEAGAC), Software/Application Support (SaaS, Enterprise Apps) (BPAAACAC)
Keywords
Where Performa is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lucerne
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Performa business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licensing (PerformX On-Premise): Non-exclusive, non-transferable right to use PerformX software during contract duration. Customer operates software on their own server environment or chosen hosting provider. Includes modules and options (number of administrative users, portal users, etc.).
- Cloud Subscription (Advantis): Software provided as cloud solution on cloud server with production and test environment. Cloud environment selected and provided by Performa. Includes automatic updates and migration to latest versions.
- Consulting and Project Services: Advisory services including interviews, workshops, strategic consulting for digitization and process automation, needs analysis, requirements definitions, and solution concepts. Parametrization services include project management, concept development, configuration, training, and go-live support.
- Maintenance and Support: Ongoing support and maintenance services to ensure software operation quality. Support requests handled within published business hours. Includes customer reporting and monthly invoicing for billable support requests.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Custom enterprise pricing based on selected modules, user counts, and deployment model |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Performa product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Performa AG develops, sells, and implements two ERP/CRM software platforms — PerformX (on-premise) and Advantis (cloud) — purpose-built for education and association administration. The software unifies address/CRM management, course and education administration, membership management, resource planning, invoicing, grading, and honorarium calculation, and integrates natively with Abacus ERP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM, OpenOlat LMS, and schulNetz. The company also delivers the consulting, parametrization, training, and go-live services required to implement and operate these platforms for Swiss customers.
Product overview
Performa offers two main software products: PerformX (on-premise) and Advantis (cloud). PerformX is the established on-premise ERP and CRM solution launched in 1995 for education and association administration, featuring modular architecture with components including address/CRM management, course and education administration, membership management, resource planning, invoicing with debtor accounting, grading evaluation (via schulNetz integration), and honorarium calculation. Advantis is the cloud-based platform (formerly PerformX Cloud, rebranded in 2025/2026) offering identical functionality with managed cloud infrastructure. Both products integrate deeply with Abacus ERP via native connectors, support web portals for participant and member access, and can be extended with Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM for extended relationship management. The product ecosystem serves education institutions and associations throughout Switzerland.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PerformX: On-premise ERP and CRM software solution for education and association administration.
- Advantis
Products and services
- PerformX On-premise ERP and CRM software platform for Swiss education and association administration. Unifies address/CRM management, course and education administration, association and membership management, resource planning (instructors, rooms, equipment), invoicing with installment billing and debtor accounting, grading evaluation (via schulNetz integration), and automated honorarium calculation integrated with payroll. Natively integrates with Abacus ERP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM, OpenOlat LMS, Untis, schulNetz, and SAP via REST APIs and dedicated connectors. Sold as a recurring subscription license with modules configured to customer requirements.
- Advantis Cloud-based ERP and CRM software platform (formerly PerformX Cloud) for Swiss education and association administration. Provides the same core functionality as PerformX — address/CRM, course and education administration, membership management, resource planning, invoicing, grading, and honorarium calculation — delivered as a managed cloud solution with automatic updates, managed hosting, and scalability. Cloud environment is selected and operated by Performa. Customers can migrate from PerformX On-Premise to Advantis. Natively integrates with Abacus ERP and other Swiss systems. Sold as a recurring cloud subscription.
Quantifiable outcome
- Single customer manages over 500 associations and 23,000+ membership invoices in one system
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Performa
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Performa technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
Feature4 records
Performa partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, standard and minor.
- Encodo Systems AGcoreSoftware development partner responsible for PerformX and Advantis platform development. Collaboration since 2005 with 20th anniversary celebrated in November 2025. Encodo handles core software programming and development. Partners collaborate on PerformaNET as management and communication platform.
- I-AG Software (Wirtschaftsinformatik)coreDevelopment partner for PerformX software development, parametrization, and implementation projects. I-AG also develops VinX (ERP for wine trade). Regular collaboration on software introduction and parametrization projects.
- ABACUS Research AGcoreStrategic integration partnership. 7 out of 8 Performa customers use Abacus for financial/accounting software. Deep integration between PerformX/Advantis and Abacus ERP including AbaSync, generic interfaces, Abacus Connector, and debit interface. Kooperation intensiviert since 2019. Abacus partnership conference participation.
- frentix GmbHstandardProvider of OpenOlat learning management system. Integration between PerformX and OpenOlat for e-learning, course materials, and participant communication. Used by customers including ibW, SAQ-QUALICON, Juventus, and santésuisse.
- Centerboard AGstandardProvider of schulNetz grade evaluation administration system. Integration with PerformX for grade management, participant portals, instructor access, and certificate generation. Used by Juventus, ibW, and Akademie St. Gallen.
- VOCOM Informatik AGstandardIT services partner handling system platform management, data security, Microsoft application maintenance, and Digital Signage solutions. Performa has established smart outsourcing arrangement with VOCOM for IT infrastructure support.
- ARCON Informatik AGstandardAbacus distribution partner operating in Swiss market. Collaboration on Abacus implementations and migrations with Performa customers.
- bsi partner agstandardAbacus consulting and implementation partner. Collaboration on Abacus implementations including SVIT project for real estate association and education administration.
- BEWIDA AGminorConsulting partner listed in Performa partner ecosystem.
- Ambit GroupminorStrategic partnership established in 2019 for Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM implementations. Partnership formed due to Microsoft's high sales expectations for smaller consulting firms and Performa's focus on Abacus expertise.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Performa competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bexio AG: Swiss cloud accounting and business administration software for SMEs and small organizations. Directly comparable as a Swiss-vertical SaaS ERP/CRM offering serving Verbände, education-adjacent, and SMB customers, though at smaller scale than Performa's enterprise customers.
- Klara (formerly SoEasy): Swiss SME business platform providing HR, accounting, and CRM-like administration modules. Comparable target customer profile (Swiss SMBs) and overlapping functional scope in customer/contact management, invoicing, and integrations with accounting systems.
- Verband24 / Assiteg: German provider of association administration software (Vereins- und Verbandsverwaltung). Comparable as a vertical-specific association management software competitor targeting similar customer profiles (Verbände, professional bodies) in adjacent DACH markets.
Broad incumbents
- Sage Switzerland: Established Swiss accounting/ERP vendor serving SMBs across multiple verticals. Comparable as a broad incumbent Swiss business software provider with similar target customers and overlapping invoicing/accounting scope with PerformX's Abacus integration.
- SAP Business One: Mid-market ERP from SAP integrated with PerformX via debtor interface for customers like BZBS Buchs Sargans, Stiftung Campus Sursee, and SVTI. Comparable as the broader ERP alternative competing for the same Swiss mid-market back-office footprint.
- Abacus Research AG: Swiss ERP vendor whose software is integrated with Performa and used by 87% of its customers. Comparable as a Swiss-market enterprise application provider serving SME and mid-market organizations with deep local accounting/ERP functionality. Strategic partner that is also a competitive reference point for ERP scope.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 CE: Microsoft's cloud CRM and ERP platform used by multiple Performa customers (ibW, Pro Senectute, SMGV) as the address management layer alongside PerformX. Comparable as the CRM platform Performa integrates with and competes against in Swiss mid-market relationship management.
Regional players
- sevDesk: German cloud accounting and invoicing platform with light CRM functionality for SMBs and freelancers. Comparable as a DACH-region SME ERP/CRM SaaS competitor in adjacent markets with similar modular subscription pricing and invoicing workflows.
- Lexware (Lexoffice): German SMB accounting and business administration SaaS serving Vereinsverwaltung and small organization needs. Comparable in product functionality (member/invoice administration) and target segment, but primarily DACH-focused and serves smaller customers than Performa's enterprise base.
Emerging players
- Coresuite (Coresis AG): Swiss mobile ERP / field service platform for SMBs. Comparable as a Swiss-vertical business application vendor targeting similar SME customers with cloud ERP functionality, though with a different functional focus on mobile field service.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights3 records
Customer concentration
Performa social profiles
Digital presencePerforma financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Performa leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Performa funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Performa 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 Performa
What does Performa do?
Performa AG develops, sells, and implements two ERP/CRM software platforms — PerformX (on-premise) and Advantis (cloud) — purpose-built for education and association administration. The software unifies address/CRM management, course and education administration, membership management, resource planning, invoicing, grading, and honorarium calculation, and integrates natively with Abacus ERP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM, OpenOlat LMS, and schulNetz. The company also delivers the consulting, parametrization, training, and go-live services required to implement and operate these platforms for Swiss customers.
Is Performa a public or private company?
Performa is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Performa founded?
Performa was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Performa based?
Performa is headquartered in Lucerne, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Performa make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software Licensing (PerformX On-Premise) is the primary driver. The others are cloud Subscription (Advantis), consulting and Project Services and maintenance and Support.
Who are Performa's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bexio AG, Klara (formerly SoEasy) and Verband24 / Assiteg. Broad incumbents are Sage Switzerland, SAP Business One, Abacus Research AG and Microsoft Dynamics 365 CE. Regional players are sevDesk and Lexware (Lexoffice). Coresuite (Coresis AG) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Performa have an API?
Yes. PerformX offers REST interfaces for system integration. The software integrates with external systems via REST API for web portals, course publication, and registration. Additionally, a REST interface is used for third-party system connections such as OpenOlat e-learning platform.
What industry is Performa in?
Performa's product category is Education and Association Administration Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAAAE, ERP/CRM/HRIS Implementation & Integration, with a secondary code of HDAEAEAA, Core ERP Suites (Financials, Procurement, Projects). Its NAICS code is 513210 and its SIC code is 7372.