What Software-Service John does

Software-Service John GmbH is a privately held German software and services company headquartered in Ilmenau, Thuringia, founded in 1993 and operating as part of the Konzept Informationssysteme corporate group. The company specializes in 3D visualization, CAD, and GIS solutions targeting geodetic surveying offices, state surveying authorities (Landesvermessungsämter), cadastral offices, utility companies, engineering offices, construction firms, and universities in German-speaking markets. Its flagship proprietary product, VIS-All 3D (current version 7.6.2), integrates CAD and GIS data for infrastructure planning applications including wind farm and solar PV visualization, street and road design, rail corridor planning, pipeline routing, and urban planning. The platform supports IFC, CityGML, GEOgraf, iTWO civil, DXF/DWG, and RailML data exchange, offers a COM interface and SDK, and ships with extensive German regulatory-compliant 3D symbol libraries (1800+ StVO traffic signs, vehicles, trees). Supporting proprietary tools include OUT-Inspektor (GEOgraf data validation) and GraGo (trench cross-section generator). In parallel, Software-Service John is an authorized reseller for Trimble's SketchUp product line, Dassault Systèmes' DraftSight, and other German geodetic software brands (GEOgraf, GEObüro, INGRADA, LupoScan, KIVID, CAPLAN). The company monetizes through a combination of VIS-All 3D subscription licenses, third-party software resale margins, project-based CAD/GIS professional services, training programs, and a 2025-launched 3D model e-commerce storefront (3D-Models.shop). Its go-to-market is sales-led with channel partner distribution, supported by regional offices across Germany and Switzerland.

Name

Software-Service John

Legal name

Software-Service John GmbH

Website

https://john-software.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Software-Service John GmbH is a German software and services firm that develops VIS-All 3D, a proprietary 3D visualization and CAD/GIS platform for infrastructure planning, and resells partner software (SketchUp, DraftSight, GEOgraf) to surveying offices, utilities, engineering firms, and public administrations in German-speaking markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

3D Visualization and CAD/GIS Software

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Software Publishers (5132), Graphic Design Services (541430), Industrial Design Services (541420)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

3D Product/Explainer Animation (MPAHACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interactive & Immersive Content Production (AR/VR/3D) (BPAFAIAL), 3D-Printed Miniatures & STL Files (Digital/Physical) (CRALAKAJ)

Keywords

• 3D visualization software
• CAD GIS solutions
• Geodetic surveying tools
• Infrastructure planning software
• 3D model marketplace

Headquarters

HQ city

Ilmenau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses - VIS-All 3D: Sale of VIS-All 3D software licenses with various editions including Basic, Premium packages with bundled 3D symbol libraries. Subscription model with annual billing and automatic renewal.
2. Software Licenses - Partner Products: Resale of third-party software including SketchUp (Go, Pro, Studio), DraftSight, GEOgraf, GEObüro, INGRADA, LupoScan, KIVID, and CAPLAN. Acts as authorized distributor.
3. Professional Services - CAD/GIS Projects: Custom project services including 3D visualization, CAD projects, GIS projects, 3D animation, and photomontage for infrastructure planning applications.
4. Training Services: VIS-All 3D system training programs and workshops for customer education and software adoption.
5. 3D Model Sales - Online Shop: E-commerce sales of 3D models via 3d-models.shop for architecture visualization, game design, animation. Models available in OBJ, FBX, STL, BLEND formats. Includes both paid models and free downloadable samples.
6. Custom Software Development: Tailored software solutions development in geodesy and 3D visualization, from planning to implementation and maintenance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Software-Service John develops and sells VIS-All 3D, a proprietary 3D visualization platform for infrastructure planning, plus companion tools OUT-Inspektor and GraGo. The company also acts as an authorized reseller for SketchUp, DraftSight, GEOgraf, GEObüro, INGRADA, LupoScan, KIVID, and CAPLAN, and operates the 3D-Models.shop e-commerce storefront for 3D model sales. Professional services include custom software development, CAD/GIS projects, training, 3D visualization, animation, and photomontage.

Product overview

Software-Service John operates two core product lines: a proprietary software portfolio centered on VIS-All® 3D, and a distribution/reseller business for third-party CAD, GIS, and surveying tools. VIS-All® 3D is the company's flagship software platform — a comprehensive 3D visualization tool for infrastructure planning, supporting applications ranging from wind energy and solar PV planning, street/road and rail corridor design, noise protection, flood management, pipeline visualization, to urban planning and technical facility modeling. The platform includes integrated design tools for route/corridor creation, extensive 3D symbol libraries (traffic signs, vehicles, trees, people), texture libraries, web-based 3D visualization via the VIS-DB-Suite, and a COM interface/SDK. Supporting the proprietary software are companion tools OUT-Inspektor (for validating GEOgraf data files) and GraGo (a trench generator). In parallel, the company distributes third-party products including SketchUp Pro/Studio/Go/EDU, DraftSight, GEOgraf®, GEObüro®, INGRADA, LupoScan, KIVID, and CAPLAN, as well as an online 3D model store (3d-models.shop) offering models in OBJ, FBX, STL, BLEND, and other formats. The company also provides professional services including software training for VIS-All® 3D, custom software development, CAD/GIS project services, 3D visualization and animation, and remote maintenance support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VIS-All 3D: Proprietary 3D visualization software for geodesy, infrastructure planning, wind power visualization, and urban planning.
• OUT-Inspektor
• GraGo (Grabengenerator)

Products and services

• VIS-All 3D Versatile proprietary 3D visualization software for infrastructure planning and technical installations, supporting wind turbine and solar PV planning, street and road design, rail corridor planning, noise protection, flood protection, pipeline visualization, urban planning, and technical facility modeling. Features integrated route/corridor design tools, real-time 3D rendering, photorealistic visualization, and interoperability with CAD and GIS systems.
• OUT-Inspektor Proprietary quality control tool that automatically validates GEOgraf OUT files for data integrity, ensuring files are correct and qualified before further use in geodesy and surveying workflows.
• GraGo (Grabengenerator) Proprietary trench/ditch generator tool for creating, validating, and documenting trench cross-sections in pipeline and civil engineering projects, enabling fast, precise, and regulation-compliant trench cross-section generation.
• SketchUp (Pro, Studio, Go, EDU) 3D modeling and visualization software offered as a partner product via authorized reseller relationship. Available in multiple tiers: SketchUp Go, SketchUp Pro, SketchUp Studio (with Trimble Connect Business Premium), and SketchUp EDU for students and educators. Includes LayOut for 2D documentation and Viewer for model review.
• DraftSight 2D CAD software for construction and drawing creation offered as a partner product for architects, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, and landscape architects.
• GEOgraf CAD/GIS software for geodesy and cadastre applications, distributed as a partner product. VIS-All 3D includes GEOgraf data import functionality.
• KIVID Cadastral calculation software with country-specific features, market leader among publicly appointed surveyors (ÖbVI), offering a powerful solution for cadastral and engineering surveys.
• 3D-Models.shop Online shop for 3D models and assets offering high-quality models in formats including OBJ, FBX, STL, BLEND for architecture visualization, game design, and animation. Compatible with Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, 3ds Max, and CAD software.
• 3D-Visualisierung (3D Visualization Services) Professional services for creating 3D visualizations of buildings, landscapes, and infrastructure projects, including photomontages, animations, and interactive presentations for geodetic and infrastructure planning clients.
• Softwareentwicklung (Software Development) Custom software development services with over 25 years of experience in geodesy and 3D visualization, developing tailored solutions for complex challenges in surveying and geoinformation.
• CAD-Projekte (CAD Projects) Support services for CAD software introduction, training, data conversion, and consulting, with extensive experience across various CAD systems.
• GIS-Projekte (GIS Projects) Geographic information system project services, linking graphic data with attribute data through intelligent queries and geometric intersections to derive spatial and attribute information.
• VIS-All 3D Schulungen (Training) Training services for the VIS-All 3D system, offered for employees working with the software to ensure optimal use of its extensive and diverse tools.
• VIS-All 3D Symbolbibliotheken (3D Symbol Libraries) Extensive libraries of 3D symbols including traffic signs (StVO), vehicles, trees, people, traffic lights, textures, and more, designed for use within VIS-All 3D and other 3D programs. Includes libraries for road signs, cars and buses, trees and plants, people and groups, traffic lights, and PBR textures.
• VIS-All 3D WEB / VIS-DB-Suite
• GEObüro Office software solution for surveying and geoinformation professionals, distributed as a partner product.
• LupoScan Software for efficient processing and visualization of laser scan data, used in conjunction with VIS-All 3D for point cloud data integration.
• INGRADA Infrastructure and data management software for planning and visualization projects, offered as a partner product.
• CAPLAN CAD software solution offered as a partner product.
• 3D-Animationen & Filme (3D Animations and Films) 3D animation and visualization services for presenting complex data and processes in an easily understandable way, suitable for presentations, reports, or websites.
• 3D-Fotomontage (3D Photomontage) Photomontage services that help people better understand planning or visualize the realistic implementation of construction measures using images.

Quantifiable outcome

• Shadow simulation for wind farms enables accurate visibility analysis from surrounding villages for planning approval processes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Trimble (SketchUp)coreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized reseller and integration partner for SketchUp product line including SketchUp Go, SketchUp Pro, SketchUp Studio, and Trimble Connect Business Premium. Distributes and supports SketchUp products in German-speaking markets.
• Dassault Systèmes (DraftSight)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized reseller for DraftSight 2D CAD software targeting architects, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, and landscape architects in German markets.
• GEOgraf (Vermessungssoftware)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for GEOgraf and GEObüro products - specialized software for geodesy and cadastral applications. Includes OUT-Inspektor tool for GEOgraf OUT file validation.
• LupoScansupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for LupoScan laser scan data processing with integration into VIS-All 3D for efficient visualization of complex buildings and infrastructure.
• KIVIDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for KIVID cadastral calculation software - market leader among publicly appointed surveying engineers (ÖbVI) offering solutions for cadastral and engineering surveying.
• INGRADAsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for INGRADA infrastructure planning software distribution in German-speaking markets.
• CAPLANsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for CAPLAN software distribution in German-speaking markets.
• IONOS by 1&1supportingTechnology or IntegrationWeb hosting provider for company website (john-software.de). IONOS provides server infrastructure, security, and technical support for web operations.
• Konzept Informationssysteme GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company within Konzept Informationssysteme group. The group includes Konzept Informationssysteme GmbH (Germany), Konzept Informationssysteme AG (Switzerland), and 3D-Models.shop. Group provides shared services including data processing for IONOS.
• DOSCH DESIGNsupportingTechnology or IntegrationLicensed content provider for 3D texture catalogs (approximately 200 building, roof, interior/exterior textures with bump mapping) and 3D tree libraries.
• iTWO civil (RIB Software)supportingTechnology or IntegrationBidirectional data exchange partnership enabling synchronized workflows between VIS-All 3D and iTWO civil for civil engineering design.
• VirtualCitySystems (VCpublisher)supportingTechnology or IntegrationExport partnership for direct data transfer from VIS-All projects to VC Publisher for 3D city model publishing.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Autodesk (Civil 3D, InfraWorks, ReCap): Global CAD/GIS/BIM platform incumbent offering Civil 3D and InfraWorks for infrastructure planning and visualisation. Direct functional overlap with VIS-All 3D for road design, terrain modelling, and infrastructure visualisation, but at vastly broader scale and with global reach.
• Esri (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS CityEngine): Global GIS platform leader with ArcGIS Pro for geospatial analysis and CityEngine for 3D urban modelling. Overlaps with VIS-All 3D's GIS integration, CityGML handling, and municipal/surveying customer base, particularly across German-speaking Land surveying authorities.
• Bentley Systems (OpenRoads, MicroStation, OpenCities): Infrastructure engineering software incumbent with OpenRoads for road/corridor design and OpenCities for urban visualisation. Comparable to VIS-All 3D on road design, BIM interoperability (IFC/CityGML), and city-scale 3D visualisation, but serves global enterprise and municipal markets.
• Nemetschek Group (Allplan, Vectorworks): German-headquartered AEC software group with Allplan for civil/structural engineering and Vectorworks for BIM. Most direct large-European peer for Software-Service John given overlapping German engineering customer base and BIM/IFC focus.
• Hexagon (Leica Cyclone, HxGN SDx): Surveying and laser-scan hardware/software vendor whose Leica Cyclone and related tools cover point-cloud capture and visualisation workflows that intersect with VIS-All 3D's LupoScan integration and Scan-to-Design features for surveying and infrastructure customers.

Direct peers

• Trimble / SketchUp: SketchUp is both a partner product resold by Software-Service John and a comparable 3D modelling/visualisation tool. Targets the same architects, civil engineers, and visualisation professionals with overlapping use cases in infrastructure, architecture, and terrain visualisation.
• RIB Software (iTWO civil): iTWO civil is a direct bidirectional integration partner with VIS-All 3D for civil engineering design. It serves the same German-speaking road and infrastructure planners and competes for the same design-and-cost-estimation workflows.
• McNeel (Rhino + Grasshopper): Rhino is a NURBS-based 3D modelling tool with strong adoption in architecture, infrastructure, and terrain modelling; Grasshopper adds visual scripting. Comparable to VIS-All 3D on advanced 3D visualisation and CAD interoperability for design professionals.

Emerging players

• VirtualCitySystems (VC Publisher): German 3D city-modelling specialist whose VC Publisher integrates with VIS-All 3D via direct export. Comparable niche focus on CityGML-based smart-city visualisation for German municipalities and infrastructure planners.

Regional players

• KISTERS (3DVis, ViewLS): German software vendor with 3D visualisation and infrastructure data-management products. Comparable DACH-focused peer addressing utilities, infrastructure planners, and surveying offices with overlapping visualisation and GIS-style workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SoftwareJohnGmbH
• Facebookfacebook.com/SoftwareServiceJohn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/software-service-john
• Instagraminstagram.com/softwareservicejohn

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 Software-Service John