C.A.T.S. Software
C.A.T.S. Software GmbH is a German owner-managed software firm, founded in 1994 in Darmstadt, that develops CAD, CAE, and BIM software modules for all Technical Building Equipment (TGA) trades, serving MEP engineering firms across the DACH region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersDarmstadt, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What C.A.T.S. Software does
C.A.T.S. Software GmbH is a German software provider founded in 1994 and headquartered in Darmstadt, specializing in CAD, CAE, and BIM software for the Technical Building Equipment (TGA) sector. The company's product suite is delivered as modular plugins for AutoCAD (2021–2026) and BricsCAD (V24–V25), covering all TGA trades: Heating (Heizung), Ventilation (Lüftung), Sanitary (Sanitär), Sprinkler, Piping (Rohrleitungsbau), and Electrical (Elektro CAD/CAE). The proprietary aModel® technology provides the interoperability layer, enabling distributed collaborative BIM modeling across trades and supporting OPEN BIM workflows aligned with BuildingSMART standards. Notable technical features include automatic isometric and section generation, cross-trade collision checking, manufacturer catalog integration, VdS-compliant hydraulic calculations (Sprinkler Professional per VdS CEA 4001), and a CAD-independent distributor generator for heating, cooling, and sanitary assemblies.
The company operates an owner-managed business model, selling quote-based software licenses and recurring maintenance subscriptions, supplemented by professional training services priced at €450 per participant per day (€400 for maintenance customers). Training is delivered at two physical centers (Darmstadt and Leipzig) and online, covering all TGA disciplines. Distribution combines direct sales with a regional Vertriebspartner (sales partner) network across German-speaking markets. Marketing relies primarily on the company website, newsletter, blog, and trade show participation (notably Light + Building).
C.A.T.S. is privately held with no institutional investment or parent company disclosed, and is led as an "Inhabergeführtes" (owner-managed) GmbH with 11–50 employees. Its strategic focus over 30+ years has been depth in a narrow domain rather than broad expansion: it maintains German standard compliance (VdS), deep manufacturer catalog data, and cross-trade workflow integration that larger general-purpose BIM vendors typically do not replicate at this granularity. The company reports no AI/ML capabilities, no public API, no mobile or cloud offering, and no subsidiaries, positioning it as a focused, stable niche software firm within the DACH MEP/AEC ecosystem.
C.A.T.S. Software firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- C.A.T.S. Software
- Legal name
- C.A.T.S. Software GmbH
- Website
- https://cats-software.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- C.A.T.S. Software GmbH is a German owner-managed software firm, founded in 1994 in Darmstadt, that develops CAD, CAE, and BIM software modules for all Technical Building Equipment (TGA) trades, serving MEP engineering firms across the DACH region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
C.A.T.S. Software industry classification
Industry- Product category
- CAD/CAE/BIM Software for Building Services Engineering
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Engineering Services (8711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)
Keywords
Where C.A.T.S. Software is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Darmstadt
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
C.A.T.S. Software business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Software Licenses and Subscriptions: CAD/CAE software for TGA trades sold as licenses, with requirements for AutoCAD 2021-2026 or BricsCAD V24-V25 as base platform.
- Training Services: In-person and online training services for all TGA trades including group training (450€/day per participant), individual training, company training, and project training.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Per session | Group training for beginners |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
C.A.T.S. Software product offering
Product offeringCore offering
C.A.T.S. Software develops and sells an integrated suite of CAD, CAE, and BIM software modules purpose-built for technical building equipment (TGA) planners and MEP engineering firms. The modules run as plugins on AutoCAD and BricsCAD, covering electrical planning, heating, ventilation, sanitary, sprinkler, and pipeline design. The company also delivers paid training (Schulungen) on its software for trade professionals in the DACH region.
Product overview
C.A.T.S. Software is a German CAD/CAE/BIM software provider with a modular, platform-based architecture. The core C.A.T.S. Software Suite operates as a plugin for AutoCAD 2021-2026 and BricsCAD V24-V25, delivering discipline-specific modules (Heizung, Lüftung, Sanitär, Sprinkler, Rohrleitungsbau, Elektro) alongside the proprietary aModel® technology for BIM-based building data management and open BIM workflows. Elektroplanung 2.0 is a notable product line comprising Elektro CAD (2D/3D construction on DWG basis) and Elektro CAE (engineering/network management extension). The Rohrleitungsbau module handles 3D pipework construction, supplemented by the Verteilergenerator standalone tool. All modules share interoperability via the aModel® framework. The company also offers structured training services at two physical centers (Darmstadt, Leipzig) and online. No public API, mobile, or cloud services are offered.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- aModel®: Proprietary BIM modeling technology enabling distributed working in divided models and cross-model actions and analyses
- Elektroplanung 2.0
- Sprinkler Professional
- Rohrleitungsbau
Products and services
- C.A.T.S. Software Suite Integrated suite of CAD, CAE, and BIM modules for technical building equipment (TGA) planners; runs as plugins on AutoCAD and BricsCAD and is sold to MEP engineering offices and TGA planners in the DACH region.
- BIM/aModel® BIM modeling component that provides model-based data structures and BIM workflows for TGA planning within the C.A.T.S. suite, for MEP engineers using AutoCAD or BricsCAD.
- Elektro CAD Electrical design module for planning and documenting electrical installations in technical building equipment projects, for electrical engineers and TGA planners.
- Elektro CAE Electrical calculation and engineering module that performs CAE-grade electrical design calculations for technical building equipment projects, for electrical engineers and TGA planners.
- Heizung Heating system design module for planning heating installations in technical building equipment projects, for HVAC engineers and TGA planners.
- Lüftung Ventilation system design module for planning air-handling installations in technical building equipment projects, for HVAC engineers and TGA planners.
- Sanitär Sanitary and plumbing design module for planning water and waste installations in technical building equipment projects, for sanitary engineers and TGA planners.
- Sprinkler Professional Professional sprinkler system design module providing calculation and layout functionality for fire-protection sprinkler installations, for sprinkler designers and TGA planners.
- Rohrleitungsbau Pipeline construction module for planning and calculating piping systems in technical building equipment projects, for pipeline designers and TGA planners.
- Verteilergenerator Distribution generator module that automates creation of distribution layouts (e.g., for electrical or piping systems) within TGA projects, for MEP engineers and TGA planners.
- Schulungen (Training) Paid instructor-led training services covering use of the C.A.T.S. software suite, delivered to TGA trade professionals and engineering offices on a tiered basis.
- Elektroplanung 2.0 (Elektrische Anlagenplanung) Major 2.0 generation release of the electrical planning modules (Elektro CAD / Elektro CAE) for TGA professionals, launched as a milestone update to the C.A.T.S. electrical design suite.
- C.A.T.S. Software Suite Version 2026.1 Major 2026.1 release of the integrated C.A.T.S. CAD/CAE/BIM suite covering electrical, heating, ventilation, sanitary, sprinkler, and pipeline modules, for MEP engineering firms and TGA planners.
Companies that use C.A.T.S. Software
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
C.A.T.S. Software technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
C.A.T.S. Software partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and moderate.
- AutoCADcoreBase platform requirement - C.A.T.S. software runs on AutoCAD 2021-2026 as foundation.
- BricsCADcoreAlternative base platform - C.A.T.S. software runs on BricsCAD V24-V25 Pro version as alternative to AutoCAD.
- BuildingSMART GermanymoderateMembership and support for OPEN BIM initiatives and buildingSMART standards for data exchange in construction.
- VdS (Vereinigung der Sachversicherer)coreSprinkler Professional certified compliant with VdS CEA 4001 and VdS 2109 standards for sprinkler and spray water systems.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
C.A.T.S. Software competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- SolarComputer (ACAT Group): SolarComputer offers CAD software for photovoltaic and technical building equipment planning primarily in German-speaking markets. Comparable to C.A.T.S. as a Germany-based specialist CAD vendor serving MEP/building-services engineers, though with a narrower trade focus on solar/PV.
Broad incumbents
- Nemetschek Group: Nemetschek is a leading AEC software group (Allplan, Vectorworks, Solibri, dRofus and former Linear GmbH) covering the full design-to-build workflow. Adjacent/overlapping competitor to C.A.T.S. via its acquired MEP modules and broader BIM platform play.
- Bentley OpenBuildings: Bentley Systems' OpenBuildings Designer offers integrated building services design within a broader infrastructure-grade BIM environment. Comparable to C.A.T.S. on MEP planning conceptually, but at a much larger scale and with global enterprise positioning.
- Autodesk Revit MEP: Autodesk Revit MEP is a flagship BIM authoring tool with built-in MEP design, analysis and documentation capabilities. Significantly broader in scope than C.A.T.S., but exerts competitive pressure as the dominant host platform and as a self-contained alternative for MEP planning.
- Trimble MEP / StabiCAD: Trimble operates a broader MEP portfolio (StabiCAD, Plancal Nova, MEPcontent) inside its AEC/BIM ecosystem. Comparable to C.A.T.S. on MEP-specific capabilities but with substantially larger product breadth, CAD-platform ownership, and international reach.
Direct peers
- Linear GmbH (Nemetschek Group): Linear GmbH, now part of Nemetschek, develops CAD software for technical building services (HVAC, sanitary, electrical) widely used by German TGA engineers. A historical German direct competitor to C.A.T.S. in the same DACH customer base.
- DDS-CAD (Data Design System): DDS-CAD is a Norwegian-origin but widely-deployed European CAD add-on for MEP planning covering heating, ventilation, sanitary, sprinkler and electrical disciplines. Closely comparable to C.A.T.S. in targeting TGA engineering firms with BIM-compatible plugin workflows.
- StabiCAD (Trimble): StabiCAD is a CAD add-on for building services (electrical, heating, ventilation, sanitary, sprinkler) distributed in Germany and central Europe by Trimble. Directly comparable feature set and engineering-firm customer profile to C.A.T.S. Software.
- MagiCAD (Glodon): MagiCAD (owned by Glodon) is a CAD/CAE add-on for AutoCAD and Revit providing MEP (heating, ventilation, plumbing, sprinkler, electrical) planning modules. Direct competitor to C.A.T.S. with overlapping product scope across all TGA trades and a similar plugin-on-host-CAD architecture.
- Plancal Nova (Trimble): Plancal Nova is a CAD/CAE MEP planning application, now part of Trimble, with modules for HVAC, plumbing and electrical design. Directly comparable to C.A.T.S. in functionality and customer base, including cross-trade calculation and 3D modeling capabilities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
C.A.T.S. Software social profiles
Digital presenceC.A.T.S. Software financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
C.A.T.S. Software leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
C.A.T.S. Software funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
C.A.T.S. Software 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 C.A.T.S. Software
What does C.A.T.S. Software do?
C.A.T.S. Software develops and sells an integrated suite of CAD, CAE, and BIM software modules purpose-built for technical building equipment (TGA) planners and MEP engineering firms. The modules run as plugins on AutoCAD and BricsCAD, covering electrical planning, heating, ventilation, sanitary, sprinkler, and pipeline design. The company also delivers paid training (Schulungen) on its software for trade professionals in the DACH region.
Is C.A.T.S. Software a public or private company?
C.A.T.S. Software is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was C.A.T.S. Software founded?
C.A.T.S. Software was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is C.A.T.S. Software based?
C.A.T.S. Software is headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does C.A.T.S. Software make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses and Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are training Services.
Who are C.A.T.S. Software's main competitors?
SolarComputer (ACAT Group) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Nemetschek Group, Bentley OpenBuildings, Autodesk Revit MEP and Trimble MEP / StabiCAD. Direct peers are Linear GmbH (Nemetschek Group), DDS-CAD (Data Design System), StabiCAD (Trimble), MagiCAD (Glodon) and Plancal Nova (Trimble).
Does C.A.T.S. Software have an API?
No public API is recorded for C.A.T.S. Software.
What industry is C.A.T.S. Software in?
C.A.T.S. Software's product category is CAD/CAE/BIM Software for Building Services Engineering. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAK, Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.