What PRO first does

PROfirst is the brand under which TOL Computersysteme GmbH, a private German software company headquartered in Grabenstätt, markets a vertically-specialized CAD/CAM/Kalkulation (cost calculation) suite for sheet metal fabrication shops. The product connects the entire job workflow from 3D STEP file import and unfolding, through part-level costing on real machine data, to automatic nesting, NC programming, and machine control for laser, plasma, oxyfuel, and waterjet cutting systems. Core products are PROfirst CAM (nesting and NC programming), PROfirst Kalkulation (costing from DXF/PDF/BMP/STEP inputs), and PROfirst CAD (drawing and dimensioning), complemented by modular add-ons including 3D STEP unfolding, TubeKalk for tube laser costing, JobVision for production planning and BDE, and the LogiTRACE / LogiTOLE / LogiBARRE optimization modules for HVAC, sheet shear, and bar stock respectively. The platform maintains certified post-processors and integrations with cutting machine builders including MicroStep, TRUMPF, Bystronic, Bodor, Hymson, Mazak, and Sato Maschinenbau.

The business model is sales-led and quote-based: PROfirst distributes software primarily through direct sales triggered by a 'Request Demo' call-to-action on its website, supplemented by self-serve downloads for several modules and channel partnerships (notably Widenhorn in the Netherlands) for adjacent geographies. Pricing is quote-driven, not publicly disclosed, and structured as annual subscriptions across modular SKUs. The customer base consists of small and mid-sized metal fabrication, steel construction, and metalworking shops, with named references spanning the DACH region plus a Benelux foothold; PROfirst markets via its website, Instagram, YouTube product demonstrations, and recurring presence at EuroBLECH and Technishow. The company is privately held with no external funding disclosed, appears founder-operated, and operates with a headcount of 1-10 employees.

Name

PRO first

Legal name

TOL Computersysteme GmbH

Website

https://tolsoftware.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PROfirst (TOL Computersysteme GmbH) provides a CAD/CAM/Kalkulation software suite that digitalizes sheet metal fabrication from 3D STEP import and costing through to nested NC programs for laser, plasma, oxyfuel and waterjet cutting, serving SMB metal fabrication shops across the DACH region and the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Grabenstätt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: PROfirst generates revenue through licensing of its CAD/CAM/calculation software suite. The company offers downloadable software installations and updates, suggesting a perpetual license or subscription model for software access and support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PROfirst develops and sells a modular CAD/CAM/Calculation (Kalkulation) software suite specialized for sheet metal processing. The software digitalizes the entire sheet metal fabrication workflow — from 3D STEP file import and unfolding, through cost calculation, to automatic nesting and NC programming of laser, plasma, oxyfuel, and waterjet cutting machines — and connects it to production planning and shop-floor data capture.

Product overview

PROfirst is a specialized CAD/CAM/Calculation software suite for sheet metal fabrication, offered as a modular platform with core products and add-on modules. The core offerings include PROfirst CAM (nesting and CNC programming), PROfirst Kalkulation (costing), and PROfirst CAD (design). These are complemented by specialized modules: 3D STEP (unfolding), TubeKalk (tube laser calculation), JobVision (production planning/BDE), LogiTRACE (ductwork unfolding), LogiTOLE (shear optimization), LogiBARRE (bar stock optimization), and PROfirst Artist (auxiliary tools). The suite digitalizes the entire sheet metal manufacturing process from construction and STEP unfolding through calculation and CAM, connecting design, costing, and machine programming in a unified digital workflow.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PROfirst CAM: Automatic nesting and NC programming for laser, plasma, oxyfuel, waterjet cutting machines including bevel cutting, scanner, and drilling aggregates
• PROfirst Kalkulation
• PROfirst CAD
• 3D STEP Abwicklung
• PROfirst TubeKalk
• LogiTRACE
• LogiTOLE
• LogiBARRE
• JobVision
• PROfirst Artist

Products and services

• PROfirst CAM Software for automatic nesting and NC programming of laser, plasma, oxyfuel, and waterjet cutting machines. Provides machine connectivity and post-processor integration with manufacturer-independent support for machines from MicroStep, TRUMPF, Bystronic, Bodor, Hymson, Mazak, and Sato Maschinenbau. Includes intelligent material and remnant plate management.
• PROfirst Kalkulation Cost calculation software for sheet metal parts that accepts DXF, PDF, BMP, STEP and other input files. Calculates material requirements, processing times, and machine costs based on real machine data to produce fast and accurate quotes.
• PROfirst TubeKalk (Rohrlaser Kalkulation) Calculation software for tube laser and profile cutting operations. Prices tubes, profiles, and simple saw cuts based on real machine data including cutting length, pierce times, and processing durations.
• 3D STEP Abwicklung Software that opens STEP files, recognizes components, generates bills of materials, calculates welds, and automatically derives flat pattern unfoldings, exporting DXF files ready for downstream CAM and costing.
• PROfirst CAD CAD software for drawing, modifying, dimensioning, and manufacturing-ready preparation of sheet metal parts, featuring a unique "Keep" function for data cleanup.
• JobVision (Auftragsplanung / BDE) Production planning and shop-floor data capture (BDE) system for cutting machines. Provides real-time monitoring, deadline tracking, defect part feedback, graphical part sorting, and digital connection to production.
• LogiTRACE Sheet metal unfolding software specialized for ventilation, HVAC, and container construction, generating transitions, cones, and pipe parts.
• LogiTOLE Software for material determination at plate shears (Tafelscheren), optimizing blank utilization.
• LogiBARRE Material determination software for bar stock, pipe profiles, and cut-to-length operations, including cut optimization.
• PROfirst Artist Additional helper program and auxiliary tool for the PROfirst CAD/CAM/Kalkulation suite.

Quantifiable outcome

• Faster quote creation compared to manual processes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MicroStep EuropacoreTechnology or IntegrationMachine manufacturer partnership for laser and plasma cutting systems integration. PROfirst develops and maintains post-processors for MicroStep equipment including advanced features like bevel cutting, drilling aggregates, and multi-burner support. Joint customer implementations include MSE SmartFL laser, MSF Max C 28001.30L, and various plasma systems.
• Sato MaschinenbaucoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for Sato plasma and autogen cutting system integration. PROfirst provides CAM solutions with post-processor customization for Sato equipment including systems with 3D bevel heads and drilling aggregates. Successful implementations at customer sites like Stahlbau Hoch3 GmbH.
• WidenhorncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChannel partner for the Netherlands market. Widenhorn represents PROfirst at trade events including Technishow in Utrecht and provides local customer engagement for the DACH region adjacent market.
• TOL Computersysteme GmbHcoreOthersPROfirst Group is the brand operated by TOL Computersysteme GmbH, a software company specializing in CAD/CAM solutions for sheet metal processing. The legal entity owns and operates the PROfirst software suite.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• TRUMPF: German machine tool OEM whose TruTops software suite bundles CAD, CAM, and nesting for its own laser/punch systems. Competes with PROfirst for software selection on TRUMPF-equipped fab shops, but as part of a much larger machine + software portfolio.
• Autodesk (Fusion 360 / Inventor CAM): Major general-purpose CAD/CAM vendor whose Fusion 360 and Inventor CAM products include sheet metal design and CAM capabilities. Competes indirectly with PROfirst CAD and CAM in shops that prefer a generalist platform over a sheet-metal-specialized suite.
• Hypertherm (ProNest): US cutting technology company whose ProNest software is a leading nesting/CAM solution for plasma, laser, and oxyfuel cutting. Overlaps with PROfirst CAM in the cutting-programming workflow but is part of a broader industrial cutting consumables and systems business.
• CNC Software (Mastercam): Long-established general CAM vendor whose Mastercam product covers milling, turning, and increasingly sheet/router cutting. Adjacent competitor to PROfirst CAM for shops seeking a single CAM platform across multiple machine types.
• Bystronic: Swiss sheet metal machinery OEM offering BySoft (CAD/CAM/nesting) bundled with its laser and bending systems. Direct competitor to PROfirst for software selection on Bystronic machines (e.g., PROfirst customer Bortolazzi AG operates 4kW and 12kW Bystronic fiber lasers).

Direct peers

• JETCAM: UK-based specialist in CNC CAM/nesting software for sheet metal cutting, with manufacturer-independent post-processors for laser, plasma, waterjet, and punch. Closely overlaps PROfirst CAM's core feature set and SMB customer profile.
• SigmaTEK Systems: SigmaNEST is a leading nesting and CAM platform for cutting (laser/plasma/oxyfuel/waterjet), directly comparable to PROfirst CAM. Serves similar metal fabrication customers with strong machine-database and post-processor coverage.
• Alma (AlmaCAM): French vendor of AlmaCAM, a CAD/CAM suite for sheet metal and tube cutting that overlaps directly with PROfirst's CAM and TubeKalk modules. Targets the same SMB fabricator segment in Europe with similar manufacturer-independent integrations.
• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (RADAN): RADAN is Hexagon's sheet metal CAD/CAM/nesting suite, a direct competitor to PROfirst CAM and Kalkulation. Serves the same laser/plasma/punch customer base with overlapping feature scope in nesting, NC programming, and quoting.
• Lantek: Spanish-headquartered specialist in CAD/CAM/nesting software for sheet metal fabrication, directly competing with PROfirst's CAM and Kalkulation modules across Europe. Operates in the same product category serving sheet metal cutting and bending shops with a manufacturer-independent value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/profirst_group
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tol-computersysteme

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 PRO first