Softengine and Step Ahead Merge to Form an ERP Ecosystem for Mid-Sized Businesses

Softengine and Step Ahead have merged and will operate jointly under the umbrella of the new Softengine. This creates one of the most comprehensive ERP ecosystems for medium-sized companies in the German-speaking world. The merger combines industry-specific ERP expertise, additional development capacity, and pooled innovative strength to provide customers with even more targeted support in digitizing their business processes.

Industry-Specific Strength Through a Unified Portfolio

The Step-Ahead Group’s solutions strengthen the new Softengine’s expertise in the areas of retail, services, software companies, and IT system integrators. The portfolio includes, among others, stepsERP, godesysERP, inERP, and amtangeeCRM. The integration is part of Softengine’s strategic realignment as an ERP ecosystem for small and medium-sized businesses: Industry-specific software solutions, consulting services, and AI-based services are to be brought together under one roof. The individual solutions will retain their respective specializations, while development, innovation, and expertise will be consolidated across the group.

Dominik Hartmann, CEO of Softengine, explains: «With Step Ahead, we’re not only gaining additional technological expertise, but above all a team that shares our vision: business software must address the individual needs of midsize companies and also pave the way toward an AI-driven future. Together, we are creating an ERP ecosystem that offers in-depth industry expertise, strong innovative capabilities, and sustainable investment security for our customers.»

Andreas Fresi, Head of the Steps Solutions Business Unit at Softengine, adds: «This merger is excellent news for our customers, as it gives Step Ahead an even stronger outlook and additional innovative momentum. In particular, we’ll be able to integrate future-oriented technologies such as artificial intelligence into our solutions more quickly and more comprehensively. At the same time, we’re expanding our expertise in key target markets such as B2B commerce and the IT sector. Our customers will retain their familiar points of contact while also benefiting from the opportunities offered by a significantly larger ERP ecosystem.»

AI as a Key Technology

With more than 250 employees, approximately 2,800 client companies, and over 75,000 users, Softengine continues to strengthen its position as an ERP specialist for small and medium-sized businesses. Its extensive portfolio includes solutions for retail and e-commerce, services, IT system integrators and software manufacturers, manufacturing, medical device retailers, the petroleum trade, vending, and numerous other industries.

The merger is taking place from a position of market strength and underscores a clear strategy: The demands placed on modern enterprise software are constantly growing. Areas such as artificial intelligence, automation, integration, and industry-specific process support require significant investments in development and expertise. By combining their expertise, both companies aim to significantly increase their pace of innovation.

All existing products, customer relationships, and points of contact for the affiliated providers will remain unchanged across a total of 17 locations—14 in Germany, two in Austria, and one in Switzerland.

Source and further information at: www.softengine.de