What GDS Consulting does

GDS Consulting is a private, owner-operated boutique consulting firm headquartered in Bradenton, Florida, that specializes exclusively in the implementation of PlanetTogether APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling) software for manufacturing clients. The firm delivers a five-step lifecycle methodology — Assessment and Planning, Data Mapping and Integration, Custom Training Programs, Implementation and Support, and Continuous Improvement — covering end-to-end deployment of PlanetTogether plus ERP data mapping, tailored user training, post-go-live support, and ongoing production process optimization. Underlying technology is entirely third-party: PlanetTogether APS is the core platform, integrated with whatever ERP system the client operates; GDS contributes no proprietary software, no application, and no API of its own.

The firm generates revenue entirely through professional services engagements, including consulting implementation, customized training, and continuous support. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and contracts are obtained through direct client outreach via phone, email, and the corporate website. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and direct: GDS targets both enterprise and mid-market manufacturing organizations in the United States, delivering services either on-site at client locations or remotely. No external funding, no parent company, no M&A activity, and no disclosed headcount appear in the source material; the firm is led by Owner Gavin Swigart and described as a team of industry veterans. Operational signals — a basic Weebly-hosted website, copyright 2024, single geographic base in Florida, and no content marketing or social channel presence — are consistent with a small-scale professional services practice rather than a scaled technology company.

Name

GDS Consulting

Legal name

GDS Consulting

Website

https://gdsconsulting.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

GDS Consulting is a Bradenton, Florida-based boutique consulting firm that exclusively implements PlanetTogether APS software for manufacturing clients, delivering data mapping, training, implementation, and ongoing optimization services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bradenton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Consulting Implementation Services: GDS Consulting generates revenue through professional consulting services for PlanetTogether APS software implementation, including assessment, planning, data mapping, integration, and go-live support.
2. Customized Training Programs: Revenue from bespoke training programs tailored to client teams' specific needs for PlanetTogether utilization.
3. Continuous Support and Optimization: Ongoing post-implementation support services providing continuous improvement and optimization of production processes.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

GDS Consulting is a boutique consulting firm that implements PlanetTogether APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling) software for manufacturing clients. Its service portfolio covers end-to-end APS implementation, ERP-to-PlanetTogether data mapping, customized user training, post-implementation support, and ongoing process optimization delivered through a structured five-step methodology.

Product overview

GDS Consulting is a consulting firm offering a suite of professional services centered on the implementation and optimization of PlanetTogether APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling) software. The company's portfolio consists of five interconnected service offerings: PlanetTogether APS Implementation (end-to-end deployment), Data Mapping Services (ERP data integration), Customized Training Programs (user enablement), Continuous Support (post-implementation assistance), and Process Optimization (ongoing efficiency improvements). These services work together as a complete lifecycle engagement from initial assessment through continuous improvement, all focused on helping clients optimize their production planning and control processes using PlanetTogether.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PlanetTogether APS Implementation End-to-end implementation services for PlanetTogether APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling) software, including assessment of current production processes and ERP systems, detailed implementation planning, integration with existing systems, and go-live support, delivered for manufacturing clients.
• Data Mapping Services Expert consulting services that map data from any ERP system into PlanetTogether APS, enabling seamless integration and accurate, efficient production planning for manufacturing organizations.
• Customized Training Programs Bespoke training programs tailored to client teams' specific needs, equipping staff with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize PlanetTogether software from day one of operation.
• Continuous Support Ongoing post-implementation support services that help clients address challenges and continuously improve their production planning and control processes using PlanetTogether.
• Process Optimization Consulting services that go beyond initial implementation to identify additional opportunities for optimization, helping manufacturing clients achieve greater efficiency and productivity in production planning.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• PlanetTogethercoreTechnology or IntegrationGDS Consulting specializes exclusively in the implementation of PlanetTogether APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling) software. As certified experts, they provide end-to-end implementation services including data mapping from any ERP system, customized training, and continuous support. This is a core strategic partnership where GDS Consulting serves as an implementation specialist and certified expert for the PlanetTogether software platform.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Broad incumbents

• Aegis (FactoryLogix): Provider of manufacturing execution and advanced planning software with its own implementation partner ecosystem. Comparable because it competes with PlanetTogether in the manufacturing APS/MES category and represents the same vendor-plus-implementation-partner model that defines GDS.
• SAP: Dominant ERP vendor with embedded production planning and scheduling functionality (SAP PP/DS). Comparable because the ERP data-mapping work GDS performs into PlanetTogether sits adjacent to SAP's own scheduling capabilities and SAP partner implementations compete for similar buyers.
• PlanetTogether: Vendor of the PlanetTogether APS platform that GDS Consulting exclusively implements. Comparable because GDS's entire service portfolio — assessment, data mapping, training, continuous support — sits on top of PlanetTogether's product, making the vendor itself the most direct counterparty in the value chain.
• Siemens Digital Industries Software: Major manufacturing-software vendor offering APS/MES capabilities (e.g., Opcenter, SIMATIC IT) and certified implementation partners. Comparable as a broad incumbent shaping the same manufacturing software implementation market GDS serves at a smaller scale.
• Dassault Systèmes DELMIA: Dassault's manufacturing and operations planning software line serving discrete manufacturers. Comparable because it overlaps with PlanetTogether in APS/scheduling and is delivered through certified implementation partners similar to GDS.

Emerging players

• iBASEt: MES / manufacturing operations software vendor for complex discrete manufacturers. Comparable because it competes for the same manufacturer's production planning budget and is delivered via implementation partners similar to GDS.
• Lighthouse Systems: MES/APS software provider for manufacturers. Comparable as a smaller specialist vendor serving the same production planning buyer as PlanetTogether and using implementation partners to deliver deployments similar to GDS's offerings.
• Parsec (TrakSYS): Manufacturing execution and operations management software vendor targeting mid-market manufacturers. Comparable as a focused manufacturing-software platform with an implementation partner motion closely paralleling GDS's PlanetTogether delivery model.
• AspenTech: Specialist in asset optimization and Advanced Planning & Scheduling (Aspen Plant Scheduler / APS) for process and discrete manufacturers. Comparable as a focused APS vendor whose products overlap with PlanetTogether's category and whose partner ecosystem mirrors GDS's go-to-market model.

Peers

• Rockwell Automation: Industrial automation and software vendor (including Plex / FactoryTalk) that competes for production planning budgets. Comparable because it sells into the same manufacturing buyer with overlapping APS/MES functionality and a partner-implementation motion.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

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 GDS Consulting