IN LINE Software

What IN LINE Software does

IN-LINE Software GmbH is a privately-held German software company founded approximately 30 years ago (circa 1994) and headquartered in Reinfeld, Schleswig-Holstein, approximately 30 km north of Hamburg. The company develops and markets modular on-premise business software for small and mid-sized enterprises in the German Mittelstand, targeting three primary verticals: manufacturing, trade, and services. Its revenue is generated through one-time perpetual software licenses, recurring maintenance and support contracts, training and workshops, and individual software development services. The company is managed by founder/managing director Christian Kannenberg, operates as a family-style Mittelstand business, and has no disclosed institutional investment or external shareholders.

The company's product portfolio centers on three proprietary software families built and maintained entirely in-house. The flagship is apto, a SQL-Server-based ERP and inventory management system that combines CRM, warehouse management, order processing, and reporting in a single modular platform, with over 40 optional add-on modules covering CRM, production planning, mobile data capture, e-commerce integration (Shopware, Magento, eBay), shipping (DHL, DPD, UPS, GLS), route planning, document management, hazardous goods, warranty, and XRechnung public-sector e-invoicing. WinFibu is a double-entry financial accounting program supporting up to 999 clients and 99 currencies with ELSTER and DATEV interfaces. WinLohn is a payroll system certified by ITSG and connected to the dakota social insurance network, supporting up to 9,999 employees. All products are delivered as Windows-installable on-premise packages.

IN-LINE differentiates through 30 years of continuous in-house development, deep customization capability (offering custom development when standard features are insufficient), direct developer-to-customer support, and comprehensive coverage of German regulatory requirements (ELSTER, DATEV, ITSG, ATLAS, INTRASTAT, XRechnung). Distribution is direct via phone, email, contact form, and on-site or webinar-based training; marketing relies on the company website and a customer login portal. Geographic scope is the DACH region, with Germany as the disclosed market. Revenue, headcount, customer count, and financial performance are not publicly disclosed.

Name

IN LINE Software

Legal name

IN-LINE Software GmbH

Website

https://in-line-software.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IN-LINE Software GmbH is a privately-held German Mittelstand software vendor that develops on-premise ERP (apto), financial accounting (WinFibu), and payroll (WinLohn) software for small and mid-sized enterprises in Germany's manufacturing, trade, and service sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (51321), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Core ERP Suites (Financials, Procurement, Projects) (HDAEAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Manufacturing ERP (Discrete, Process, Batch) (HDAEAEAB), Distribution & Wholesale ERP (Inventory, Order, Warehouse) (HDAEAEAC)

Keywords

• ERP software
• Financial accounting software
• Payroll management software
• Inventory management system
• Business process optimization

Headquarters

HQ city

Reinfeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. ERP Software Licenses: On-premise ERP software licensing with various module add-ons. Software is distributed as installable packages for Windows operating system.
2. Software Maintenance/Support Contracts: Maintenance contracts that provide regular updates for legal requirements and system improvements. The company offers direct developer support and remote maintenance capabilities.
3. Training and Workshops: In-person training sessions (up to 15-25 participants), webinars for larger groups, and workshops on ERP, CRM, FiBu, and Payroll systems.
4. Individual Software Development: Custom software development services for various platforms (Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Linux) using 17 programming languages, offered as on-premise solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IN-LINE Software develops and sells on-premise ERP, financial accounting, and payroll software for German SMBs in manufacturing, trade, and services. Its flagship product apto is a SQL-Server-based ERP/Warenwirtschaft with CRM, complemented by WinFibu (double-entry accounting with ELSTER/DATEV) and WinLohn (ITSG-certified payroll). The company licenses the software on a perpetual basis with recurring maintenance contracts and delivers custom development plus on-site workshops.

Product overview

IN LINE Software offers a modular ERP and business software portfolio centered on the aptO SQL-server-based ERP system, complemented by the WinFibu (financial accounting) and WinLohn (payroll accounting) Windows desktop applications. The product architecture follows a platform-plus-modules model: aptO serves as the core ERP and inventory management platform with extensive optional modules (over 40 add-on modules covering CRM, e-commerce integration, production, warehouse management, mobile data capture, shipping, time recording, and more). WinFibu and WinLohn operate as standalone or integrated desktop applications that can connect to aptO for data exchange. The company also provides custom software development services and on-premise deployment options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• apto: Modern ERP and inventory management system based on SQL server, combining CRM and inventory management with extensive evaluation capabilities for manufacturing, trade, and service companies.
• WinFiBu
• WinLohn

Products and services

• apto ERP System

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration18 records

Feature16 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ITSG (Informationstechnische Servicestelle der gesetzlichen Krankenkassen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITSG regularly tests and certifies IN-LINE WinLohn payroll software for compliance with social security reporting requirements. This certification ensures the software meets German regulatory standards.
• dakota (Network of Social Insurance)coreTechnology or IntegrationWinLohn is connected to the dakota network for electronic communication with social security institutions, enabling automated reporting and compliance.
• DATEV eGcoreTechnology or IntegrationDATEV interface enables data exchange with external accounting software and tax consultants. Supports both import and export of accounting data in DATEV format.
• ELSTER (Elektronische Steuererklärung)coreTechnology or IntegrationELSTER interface integrated into WinFibu and WinLohn for electronic tax returns and social security reporting to German authorities.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SAP Business One: SAP Business One is SAP's SMB ERP offering, targeting the same mid-market manufacturing, wholesale, and services segments that IN-LINE serves. As a scaled global incumbent with extensive partner ecosystem, it competes for the upper end of IN-LINE's customer base while IN-LINE focuses on the more bespoke lower-mid-market segment.
• DATEV eG: DATEV is the dominant German tax-consultant and SMB accounting platform, with which IN-LINE explicitly integrates via DATEV interfaces. While it primarily serves tax advisors rather than end customers, it is the de facto standard for German SMB bookkeeping and shapes buyer expectations around compliance and exchange formats.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a cloud-first SMB ERP that directly competes for the same German Mittelstand and SMB segment as IN-LINE, with continuous platform investment and a global partner channel. It represents the cloud-native delivery model that contrasts with IN-LINE's on-premise approach.
• Sage: Sage is a global incumbent in SMB accounting and ERP (Sage 50, Sage 100, Sage Business Cloud), with a strong German presence serving the same Mittelstand and SMB segments that IN-LINE targets. It overlaps with IN-LINE on financials, payroll, and order management but competes as part of a broader international product portfolio rather than as a Germany-only specialist.

Emerging players

• sevDesk: sevDesk is a German cloud-based accounting and invoicing platform targeting SMBs and freelancers, competing with IN-LINE's WinFibu and apt order-management capabilities. As an emerging cloud-native player, it represents the delivery-model shift that IN-LINE must address to defend its accounting-book customers.
• FastBill: FastBill is a German cloud invoicing and accounting solution for SMBs and freelancers, competing with IN-LINE's WinFibu financial accounting and apt order-management capabilities. It represents the cloud-first delivery model eroding demand for traditional on-premise accounting software.

Direct peers

• Diamant Software: Diamant Software is a German vendor of accounting and ERP software for mid-sized companies and public-sector organizations, with similar regulatory depth around German GAAP, DATEV, and elBA workflows. It targets a closely comparable German SMB and mid-market accounting/ERP customer base as IN-LINE's WinFibu and apt.
• Microtech GmbH: Microtech is a German SMB-focused ERP and merchandise management vendor serving trade, manufacturing, and service companies with on-premise and cloud solutions. Its product breadth, German regulatory coverage, and Mittelstand target market make it a closely comparable peer to IN-LINE's apto ERP suite.
• Haufe-Lexware: Haufe-Lexware is the dominant German SMB accounting and ERP software vendor (Lexware product line), serving a near-identical target customer of German small and mid-sized businesses with on-premise and cloud accounting, payroll, and order management software. Its deep coverage of DATEV/ELSTER compliance and broad partner ecosystem make it the closest direct competitor to IN-LINE's apto/WinFibu/WinLohn stack.
• SoftENGINE GmbH: SoftENGINE is a German SMB-focused ERP vendor offering merchandise management, production, and accounting solutions for trade, manufacturing, and service companies. Its product scope, Mittelstand focus, and German regulatory coverage position it as a close functional peer to IN-LINE's apt ERP suite.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 IN LINE Software