IQSoftware

What IQSoftware does

IQSoftware GmbH is a German privately-held software company founded in 2001 and headquartered in Döbeln, Saxony. It develops and sells IQSteel.ERP, a vertically-specialized ERP system engineered for single-part manufacturers in steel construction, metal construction, plant construction, and industrial construction. The product covers the full process chain — quotation, order processing, purchasing, production, welding management, warehouse management, project controlling, and financial accounting — and includes domain-specific modules such as DIN EN 1090 compliance, NC/CNC machine control (IQNC), BIM/IFC integration (IQIFC), and mobile applications (IQSteel.Apps launched in 2023).

The underlying architecture is Windows-based with a Microsoft Office-standard GUI and a centralized database that enables real-time data flow across modules. The modular design lets customers deploy only the components they require while preserving integration through a single shared data layer. Revenue streams comprise recurring ERP licensing and module subscriptions (IQSteel.ERP, IQIFC, IQNC), on-site implementation professional services, and training delivered through the IQCampus program. Pricing is structured as custom enterprise quotes rather than published list pricing.

IQSoftware serves enterprise customers primarily in the German DACH market via a direct enterprise sales motion that includes on-site evaluation, workshops, and a structured four-step implementation methodology. The company runs an annual user conference (IQAnwendertreffen), relies on reference selling through published case studies from customers such as Donges SteelTec, Stahlbau Nägele, Schwevers & Raab, HAB, Jochen Brill, and BISCHOF, and integrates with partners including Diamant Software (accounting) and Lantek. With over 4,000 users across more than 100 ERP implementations and approximately 2,000 user licenses, the company self-describes as a market leader for steel construction ERP in Germany.

Name

IQSoftware

Legal name

IQSoftware GmbH

Website

https://iqsoftware.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IQSoftware GmbH is a German privately-held software company headquartered in Döbeln that develops IQSteel.ERP, a vertically-specialized ERP system for steel, metal, plant, and industrial construction manufacturers across the DACH market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry-Specific Construction ERP Software

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Construction & Engineering ERP (Job Costing, Project Controls) (HDAEAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Core ERP Suites (Financials, Procurement, Projects) (HDAEAEAA), ERP Implementation & Systems Integration Services (BPAEAGAA)

Keywords

• Steel construction ERP
• CNC machine control
• BIM data integration
• Construction ERP software
• Steel profile processing

Headquarters

HQ city

Döbeln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. ERP Software Licensing: IQSteel.ERP is sold as a modular ERP solution for steel construction companies. The software is implemented enterprise-wide across all company departments from quotation through production to accounting.
2. Implementation Services: On-site implementation consulting including project planning, system configuration, data migration, and employee training. Project managers work directly at customer sites during implementation.
3. Training Services (IQCampus): Training programs including workshops, live demonstrations, and project-specific training delivered at customer sites or via Microsoft Teams.
4. IQIFC Module: IFC data integration and BIM module for process automation and 3D visualization.
5. IQNC Module: CNC/NC data processing module for machine tool control and optimization of steel profile cutting.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IQSoftware develops and sells IQSteel.ERP, a modular Windows-based ERP system purpose-built for single-part manufacturers in steel, metal, plant, and industrial construction. The solution integrates the complete value chain from quotation and order processing through purchasing, material and production management, welding/tool/warehouse management, project controlling, and financial accounting. It is complemented by IQNC for CNC machine control, IQIFC for BIM/IFC integration, IQSteel.Apps for mobile field operations, and IQCampus for user training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IQSteel.ERP: Complete ERP solution for steel construction companies covering all business processes from quotation to accounting.
• IQNC
• IQIFC
• IQSteel.Apps
• IQCampus

Products and services

• IQSteel.ERP Modular ERP solution for single-part manufacturers in steel, metal, plant, and industrial construction covering the complete process from quotation management and order processing through purchasing, material management, production, welding management, tool management, warehouse management, project controlling, and financial accounting. Built on Windows with a Microsoft Office-standard GUI and a centralized database delivering real-time data across all departments with full DIN EN 1090 compliance.
• IQNC CNC/NC software module for computer-aided control of machine tools in steel profile processing. Generates tool planning and machine code directly from 3D models for downstream CNC machines and includes 3D nesting capability for graphical loading and shipping planning.
• IQIFC
• IQSteel.Apps Suite of mobile applications for warehouse management, picking, and production data capture on tablets and smartphones in the warehouse, workshop, and construction site, including IQLager (warehouse), IQKommissionierung (picking), and IQTerminal (production data collection).
• IQCampus

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of system error messages are caused by inadequate data entry
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Diamant SoftwarecoreTechnology or Integration · 12 February 2025Partnership where Diamant Software's accounting and controlling solution (Diamant/4) is fully integrated into IQSteel.ERP via intelligent API interface. Enables seamless financial data synchronization between ERP and accounting systems without system jumps. The partnership originated from a customer project where Donges SteelTec needed to replace legacy financial controlling.
• buildingSMARTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association that developed the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) standard for BIM data exchange. IQIFC is built on these open standards for interoperability with various CAD and BIM software.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Infor: Infor CloudSuite Industrial (formerly Syteline) is an ERP platform for industrial and project-based manufacturers, including metal fabrication and construction equipment makers. As a broad incumbent, it competes with IQSoftware for mid-market manufacturing customers and offers comparable production and project accounting functionality at greater scale.
• SAP S/4HANA: SAP is the dominant generalist ERP vendor and was displaced by IQSteel.ERP at Donges SteelTec. SAP competes in steel construction via project system (PS) and manufacturing modules; its broad scale and integration capabilities make it the most consequential competitor for upper-end IQSoftware deals.
• Epicor: Epicor Kinetic is a manufacturing-focused ERP suite used by discrete and project-based manufacturers including metal fabrication and structural steel. It is a broad incumbent competitor for steel construction manufacturers evaluating ERP options, with stronger manufacturing depth than generalist ERPs but less DIN EN 1090 specialization than IQSoftware.
• Procore Technologies: Procore is a leading cloud-based construction management platform serving general and specialty contractors worldwide. While it does not specialize in steel manufacturing ERP, it increasingly targets the same specialty contractor buyer that IQSoftware addresses, making it a credible broad incumbent alternative.
• Trimble Viewpoint: Trimble Viewpoint offers construction ERP suites (Spectrum, Jobpac) widely used by specialty contractors including structural and steel construction firms. As a broad incumbent, it competes with IQSoftware for mid-market steel fabricator mandates but lacks IQSoftware's depth of German-market DIN EN 1090 specialization.
• RIB Software (Schneider Electric): RIB Software, now part of Schneider Electric, offers iTWO, an enterprise-scale construction ERP and project management platform used by major contractors globally. While broader and aimed at larger projects, it overlaps with IQSoftware in steel/structural construction project cost control and BIM-driven workflows.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365: Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Business Central / Finance & Operations) is a broad ERP platform widely adopted in mid-market manufacturing and construction. It serves as a horizontal alternative that competes with IQSoftware for enterprise buyers who prefer Microsoft-centric stacks, though without the depth of DIN EN 1090 / NC-CNC integration.

Direct peers

• SEMA Software: SEMA GmbH is a German software provider specializing in CAD/CAM and ERP solutions for timber, steel, and metal construction. It is the closest direct competitor to IQSoftware in the DACH market, serving the same customer segment with comparable vertical-specific functionality including structural detailing and production workflows.
• Nevaris Bausoftware (Nemetschek Group): Nevaris, part of Nemetschek Group, provides construction ERP and project management software (including the former Nevaris/Avectra stack) targeting general contractors and construction firms in DACH. It is a direct vertical competitor with broader construction scope than IQSoftware but comparable target market in German-speaking regions.
• Dietrich's: Dietrich's is a German-headquartered software company offering CAD and ERP solutions for timber and steel construction. It targets the same single-part manufacturer niche as IQSoftware and competes directly for project-management, production, and CNC integration mandates in DACH construction firms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IQSteel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 IQSoftware