stepsERP
stepsERP is the ERP system for IT companies, B2B commerce, and industrial services. The modular solution brings together all core business processes on a single platform, replaces isolated solutions, and helps companies operate efficiently and achieve sustainable growth through industry-specific functionality and in-depth process expertise.
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Compare ERP SystemsOverview
stepsERP - a part of Softengine - is the ERP system for IT companies, B2B commerce, and industrial services. The modular solution brings together all core business processes on a single platform, replaces isolated solutions, and helps companies operate efficiently and achieve sustainable growth through industry-specific functionality and in-depth process expertise.
From the first opportunity to long-term customer relationships, stepsERP centrally manages all relevant information and, as the backbone of customer-centric companies, provides a comprehensive 360-degree view of customers and prospects. This creates transparent processes, a reliable data foundation, and well-founded forecasts, enabling companies to identify opportunities at an early stage and make decisions based on up-to-date data.
stepsERP supports e-invoicing in compliance with ZUGFeRD and XRechnung standards, meets GDPR requirements, and, as a software solution "Made and hosted in Germany," is consistently designed with digital sovereignty in mind. A wide range of standard APIs and customizable integration options ensure that existing systems can be seamlessly embedded and data can be exchanged in real time.
As part of Softengine, the ERP ecosystem for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in German-speaking markets, stepsERP benefits from more than 30 years of experience in developing industry-specific ERP software. With over 250 ERP enthusiasts, 2,800 customer companies, and 75,000 users, Softengine stands for combined expertise, continuous innovation, and collaborative partnerships. The product is developed by the Business Unit Steps Solutions in Munich, part of Softengine.
For the future of SMEs, with solutions that users love in their day-to-day work.
Editions & Pricing Tiers
Editions and licensing
stepsERP uses a role-based licensing model, with functional license roles tailored to the different areas and responsibilities within a company. This allows users to access the functionality relevant to their specific roles and tasks.
45 to 180 EUR / user / monthKey Capabilities
Built for mid-sized companies in the DACH region
Tailored to the needs of mid-sized IT companies, B2B commerce and industrial services across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Made and hosted in Germany
Designed for digital sovereignty and GDPR requirements for German-speaking SMEs, with support for ZUGFeRD and XRechnung-compliant e-invoicing and high data security.
Industry-specific ERP
Dedicated solutions for B2B commerce, IT companies and industrial services, with preconfigured data models and industry-specific processes built on years of industry expertise.
From the first opportunity to invoice
Unlike many ERP systems, stepsERP starts with the very first opportunity, not when a prospect becomes a customer. This creates a comprehensive data foundation for reliable forecasting and seamless processes through to invoicing.
Integrated recurring revenue management
Contracts, service contingents, recurring services and billing without a separate contract-management solution.
CRM, inventory, procurement and sales in one ERP
stepsERP integrates CRM, inventory management, procurement and sales directly into one system, creating seamless processes and a shared data foundation across departments.
Limitations & Considerations
On-Premise Only Today
There is no vendor-operated cloud edition. A browser client is in development and a cloud offering is announced, but at the time of writing you are buying an on-premise system with a Windows client.
DACH Only
The product, the localizations and the support are built for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. There is no evidence of multi-country rollouts outside the German-speaking market.
No Manufacturing Depth
Production, MRP, shop-floor control and batch or process manufacturing are outside the scope. Companies that make things rather than deliver services or trade goods should look at proALPHA, D365 Business Central or SAP Business One instead.
No HR or Payroll
Personnel administration and payroll are not part of the system, which in the German market usually means an interface to DATEV, Personio or a comparable tool.
AI Is Announced, Not Delivered
The vendor describes AI functionality as in development. Treat it as a roadmap item and evaluate the system on what it does today.
Module Strengths
Finance & Accounting
Core financials for the German market, with ZUGFeRD and XRechnung e-invoicing. Payroll is not included.
CRM
Integrated rather than bolted on: opportunities, activities and a 360-degree customer view feeding the same data set as sales.
Quote & Order Management
Quotes, orders and invoicing as one chain from the first opportunity onward.
Contract Management
Contracts, service quotas and recurring billing in the standard. The strongest part of the product.
Service & Maintenance
Service orders, dispatching and maintenance, built for high order volumes.
Project Management
Project and resource planning aimed at services businesses, with the billing link back into finance.
Procurement
Purchasing and supplier processes tied into inventory and finance.
Inventory & Warehouse
Warehouse management for B2B commerce. No indication of advanced automation such as robotics or voice picking.
Business Intelligence
Reporting and analysis on the operational data set. No embedded analytics platform in the sense of Power BI or SAP Analytics Cloud.
Manufacturing (MRP)
Not part of the product. No BOMs, MRP or production orders.
Human Resources
Not included. Requires DATEV, Personio or a comparable third-party system.
eCommerce
No native storefront. REST APIs are available for connecting an existing shop.
Implementation
stepsERP follows a best-practice implementation approach, leveraging proven processes and industry-specific standards to enable a structured and efficient ERP implementation.
Implementation Phases
Analysis
Best practice workflows
Configuration
Migration
Go-live
Ongoing support
Partner ecosystem: Implementation, support and development come from stepsERP and the wider Softengine group rather than from a third-party partner market. One contractual partner, short paths, and the people who build the product are the people who roll it out.
Implementation Timeline
Standard scope
4 to 6 months
Kickoff to go-live, one or a few entities, mostly standard processes.
As stated by the vendor for a typical rollout.
Source: Vendor statement from its listing submission, not independently verified.
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Compare ERP Systems NowSupplied by the vendor
Reference projects and attestations as provided by the vendor. We have not verified them independently.
Product screenshots
Reference projects
- Bringing Structure to Complex Contract Processes with stepsERP: office company
- Handling 120 Service Orders per Hour with stepsERP: Fenster Doktor AG
- Mastering 25% Business Growth with stepsERP: GeDe Kugellager-Vertriebs-GmbH
- Achieving 30% Higher Efficiency with stepsERP: NH O-RING
- A Generational Change in More Than One Way: Baader Planetarium GmbH
Frequently Asked Questions
Does stepsERP support e-invoicing?
Yes. stepsERP supports the creation, sending, and processing of electronic invoices in the XRechnung and ZUGFeRD formats.
Does stepsERP support integrations?
Yes. stepsERP provides a range of standard integrations and also supports custom interfaces tailored to individual business requirements.
About the author
Tobias Trost
Independent SAP S/4HANA Cloud Consultant, Founder of ERP Pilot
Tobias Trost is an independent SAP S/4HANA Cloud consultant specializing in Sales and Distribution and Order-to-Cash, and the founder of ERP Pilot. He writes and reviews the comparisons on this site.
Last updated: September 2026