What Simple System does

Simple System is a Munich-based, privately held SaaS company founded in 2000 that operates a modular e-procurement platform focused on indirect procurement of C-parts for German-speaking Mittelstand, large corporations (Konzerne), and the public sector. The platform connects buyers with 850+ verified suppliers (including Würth, Hoffmann, RS Components, Festo, Sonepar) through a guided buying marketplace and provides modules for spend analytics, automated approval workflows, ERP connectivity, OCI/Punchout, RFQ management, long-tail sourcing (Amazon Business), and SSO. Its proprietary simpleAI Hub is positioned as deeply embedded AI built on 25 years of procurement data, used to optimize supplier selection, pricing, and process automation.

The platform is built as a cloud-native, German-hosted (DSGVO-compliant) system with pre-built integrations into SAP S/4HANA, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Oracle, Infor, and 25+ additional ERP systems. Customer outcomes cited include up to 70% automation of operational C-parts procurement (SIG Group) and roughly 70% reduction in manual ordering work, supported by 30-day average implementation timelines and 90-day free trials.

The business model is a modular SaaS subscription starting at €99/month with unlimited users and no per-user or transaction fees; customers add ERP, SAP, OCI-Punchout, long-tail, RFQ, and SSO modules on top. Go-to-market combines product-led growth (self-serve free trial), inside sales for mid-market, and enterprise field sales for large accounts. Strategic backers are Hoffmann SE and SFS Group, and named customers include SIG Group AG, Brandt Gruppe, ebm papst, Crown Gabelstapler, ACTEGA, and Dr. Kade, primarily across manufacturing, packaging, food processing, pharma, chemicals, and HVAC.

Name

Simple System

Legal name

simple system

Website

https://simplesystem.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Simple System is a Munich-based SaaS platform for indirect procurement, connecting German Mittelstand, enterprises, and the public sector with 850+ verified suppliers via a modular e-procurement marketplace augmented by its simpleAI Hub.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

E-Procurement Software

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Office Supplies, IT & Workplace Procurement Marketplaces (CRAFAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Procurement Platforms, Catalogs & Contract Purchasing (Co-ops, GPOs, eProcurement) (EDAEAIAO), B2B/EDI & Supply Chain Process Automation Platforms (HDAEAHAK)

Keywords

• E-procurement software
• Indirect procurement platform
• Supplier marketplace
• Spend analytics
• Purchasing automation

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Subscription Software License: Modular SaaS subscription model. Customers start with the basic module and add additional modules as needed. Annual or monthly payment options. No per-user fees - unlimited users included.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Simple System provides a cloud-based, AI-powered e-procurement platform for indirect procurement (C-parts) that connects buyers with 850+ verified suppliers, automates ordering workflows, and delivers spend analytics with ERP integration. The platform is modular, with a Basis entry module priced at €99/month plus add-on modules for SAP, ERP, OCI/Punchout, long-tail, RFQ, SSO, and external ordering systems. It is positioned as a 100% neutral platform (no proprietary trading), made and hosted in Germany with GDPR compliance.

Product overview

Simple System is a modular e-procurement platform architecture combining a core cloud-based platform with AI-powered capabilities through simpleAI Hub, integrated marketplace (Marktplatz) for guided buying, and analytics module (Controlling). The platform includes a Basis entry module (starting at 99 EUR/month) providing full platform access with unlimited users, supplemented by add-on integration modules for ERP systems (SAP Anbindung supporting SAP S/4HANA, ERP Anbindung for Microsoft Dynamics 365/Oracle/Infor), OCI-Punchout for supplier catalog integration, External Ordering Systems for automated logistics, Long-tail Solutions (Amazon Business), Angebotsanfragen/RFQ for supplier quotes, and SSO for enterprise identity management. Additional value-added services include access to 850+ verified suppliers, Facility Management services, 3D printing, and special procurement support. The platform is positioned as 100% neutral without proprietary trading, built on 25 years of real procurement data, and made/hosted in Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• simpleAI Hub: AI technology deeply integrated into the simple system procurement platform, built on 25 years of procurement data.

Products and services

• Simple System Basis (Platform Base) Entry-level access package providing full platform access starting at €99/month with unlimited users, suppliers, orders, and catalogs; annual or monthly payment options. The foundational subscription for the Simple System e-procurement platform.
• simpleAI Hub AI engine embedded deeply in the platform that automates procurement workflows, analyzes purchasing patterns, and provides intelligent recommendations based on 25 years of real procurement data. Designed for procurement teams seeking AI-driven process automation and predictive insights.
• Marktplatz (Guided Buying Marketplace) Guided buying marketplace providing access to 850+ verified suppliers with all products in one search, enabling neutral and transparent procurement for indirect C-parts buyers.
• Controlling Smart analytics and budget management module providing real-time spend visibility, comprehensive reports, dashboards, and procurement analysis for optimizing supplier selection, pricing, and policies.
• SAP Anbindung (SAP Integration) Direct SAP interface (including SAP S/4HANA) with approximately three hours of customer-side IT implementation effort; automatic synchronization of orders, cost centers, and documents.
• ERP Anbindung (ERP Integration) Direct ERP interface enabling automatic order transmission to systems including Microsoft Dynamics 365, Oracle, Infor, and others, replacing manual data entry.
• OCI-Punchout Open Catalog Interface integration enabling real-time access to supplier article data within simple system, keeping product information always current without manual updates.
• Externe Bestellsysteme (External Ordering Systems) Integration module for connecting dispensing systems or automated logistics systems into the ordering process for autonomous ordering workflows.
• Long-tail Solutions Integration with Amazon Business for millions of additional articles seamlessly bound into simple system, plus capability to create own in-house catalogs for long-tail procurement.
• Angebotsanfragen (RFQ) Request for Quotation module for creating inquiries, engaging preferred suppliers, and comparing incoming offers in a structured format.
• SSO (Single Sign-On) Security and convenience module integrating with company-wide Identity Provider for secure, passwordless authentication to simple system.
• Lieferantenübersicht (Supplier Directory) Access to 850+ verified, globally active suppliers across multiple categories including Würth, Hoffmann, Kaiser Kraft, RS Components, Rexel, Festo, Conrad, and more.
• Dienstleistungen (Services) Additional services such as Facility Management procurement support and specialized sourcing services.
• 3D-Druck (3D Printing) On-demand 3D printing service allowing easy ordering of custom parts through the platform.
• Sonderbeschaffung (Special Procurement) Special procurement service for items outside the standard catalog, enabling simple inquiry and ordering for non-standard items.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 40% reduction in process costs per order through automated workflows
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core partnership network, core integration, feature partnership and research partnership.

• 850+ Verified Supplierscore partnership networkChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of over 850 verified suppliers integrated into the Simple System platform. Includes major brands like Würth, Hoffmann, Kaiser+Kraft, RS Components, Rexel, Festo, Sonepar, Conrad, Uvex, and many more. Suppliers provide product catalogs, pricing, and fulfillment.
• SAPcore integrationTechnology or IntegrationStrategic ERP integration partnership. Simple System provides pre-built SAP connectivity allowing customers to integrate in approximately 3 hours of IT effort. Supports SAP S/4HANA and other SAP systems.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365core integrationTechnology or IntegrationPre-built integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP systems for seamless order synchronization and data flow.
• Oraclecore integrationTechnology or IntegrationPre-built integration with Oracle ERP systems for bidirectional order and data synchronization.
• Inforcore integrationTechnology or IntegrationPre-built integration with Infor ERP systems for seamless connectivity and automated workflows.
• Amazon Businessfeature partnershipTechnology or IntegrationLong-tail solutions integration allowing Simple System customers to access millions of Amazon Business articles seamlessly within the platform.
• HTWK Leipzigresearch partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig) for procurement benchmarking data and industry studies used in savings calculations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Amazon Business: Amazon Business is a B2B marketplace for indirect procurement including office supplies, MRO, and workplace goods. Simple System already integrates with Amazon Business via its Long-tail Solutions module, indicating direct overlap in the same buyer use cases.
• Mercateo: Mercateo operates Unite, a European B2B procurement marketplace network connecting buyers with verified suppliers. It is the most direct competitor to Simple System given shared German Mittelstand focus, neutral marketplace positioning, and supplier network model.
• Jaggaer: Jaggaer is a direct procurement platform specialist serving indirect and direct spend categories. Following its acquisition of Pool4Tool, Jaggaer has strong European presence and competes with Simple System for enterprise procurement digitization deals.
• GEP Worldwide: GEP provides a unified procurement platform combining source-to-pay software with managed services. It serves large enterprises globally with AI-driven procurement capabilities, overlapping with Simple System's mid-market and enterprise procurement focus.
• Procurify: Procurify is a cloud-based procurement and AP automation platform targeting mid-market companies. It overlaps with Simple System in serving growing businesses seeking digitized purchasing workflows without enterprise-scale complexity.

Broad incumbents

• Coupa Software: Coupa is a leading B2B spend management platform offering procurement, expense management, and supply chain solutions. It competes for mid-market and enterprise procurement deals globally, including in Europe, against Simple System.
• SAP Ariba: SAP Ariba is the market-leading indirect procurement platform owned by SAP. It serves enterprise customers globally with deep ERP integration, and competes with Simple System for large German enterprise deals despite higher implementation complexity and cost.

Emerging players

• Keelvar: Keelvar provides AI-powered autonomous sourcing and procurement optimization for enterprises. As an AI-native procurement specialist, it represents an emerging competitive threat to Simple System's simpleAI positioning in the broader procurement AI category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/simple-system
• Facebookfacebook.com/Simple.system.gmbh

Compliance1 record

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 Simple System