Overview of the Survey and Its Publisher
The GdW Bundesverband deutscher Wohnungs‑ und Immobilienunternehmen e.V., a leading association representing German housing and real‑estate firms, commissioned a comprehensive survey of its member companies. Conducted in July 2024, the study was authored by Claus Wedemeier, Arne Rajchowski, and Timo Wanke, specialists in digitalisation and smart energy within the housing sector. It captures the current state of software landscapes and digital solutions across more than 2 500 surveyed housing organisations, with a response rate of 40.3 % (1 042 participants).
Digital Infrastructure Choices
Among respondents, 38.6 % manage IT applications in‑house, while 28.8 % rely on external service providers, and 27.0 % operate SaaS solutions. Smaller and larger firms tend to keep internal infrastructures, whereas medium‑size companies show a stronger shift toward cloud‑based models.
ERP System Adoption
A dominant 85.4 % of companies use an ERP system from a provider, chiefly Aareon’s portfolio (Wodis Sigma, GAP Immotion, Wodis Yuneo, etc.), which accounts for over 70 % of all ERP installations. Only 4.9 % have no ERP and no plans to introduce one.
Technical ERP and Asset Management
Technical ERP or asset‑management tools are less common: 21.8 % employ such software, with Mevivo leading (38.1 % share), followed by BTS and igisSIX. The majority (63.5 %) still lack a dedicated technical system.
Digital Tenant Communication
Digital tenant portals or apps are used by 23.4 % of firms; an additional 31.6 % plan implementation. Aareon’s CRM solution is the most prevalent (50.8 % of users), with Casavi, IVM Pro and Immomio also represented.
Digital Archiving Solutions
More than half (53.6 %) of respondents employ a dedicated digital archiving system, primarily Aareon Archiv Kompakt (53.1 % of archiving users). Alternatives include d.velop, EASY and Saperion.
Handwerker‑Coupling Software
23.7 % use specialised software for contractor coordination; Mareon (57.3 % of this group) leads, complemented by BTS and Immo‑Office.
Rental and Marketing Platforms
35.9 % of companies have adopted dedicated rental‑marketing software. Aareon Immoblue Pro (20.7 %) and IVM Pro (16.4 %) are the top solutions, with Immosolve and Wohnungshelden also notable.
ESG‑Reporting Tools
Only 4.5 % utilise software for ESG reporting; Mevivo eco holds the largest share (19.1 %). The majority (69.3 %) have no ESG software and no immediate plans.
Mobile Housing Handover Apps
29.1 % employ mobile applications for apartment handovers; Aareon Mobile Services dominate (51.7 %). A further 26.8 % are planning such tools.
Financial Planning Software
20.2 % use dedicated financial‑planning applications, with AveStrategy (34.1 % of users) leading, followed by Dr. Klein WOWICONTROL and WOCON.
Building Automation & Energy Management
Only 8.4 % have implemented software for heating or energy management; GreenFusion is the most cited vendor (9.6 % of this niche). A further 21.2 % are planning adoption.
Digital Access Control
Digital door‑access solutions are used by 16.4 % of firms; iLOQ (19 %) and SimonsVoss (14.3 %) are the primary providers. The majority (77.3 %) have no such system and no plans.
BIM and 3D Modelling
Adoption of BIM or 3D visualisation is low: 5 % have piloted or deployed models, while 85.9 % have no intention to introduce BIM in the near term.
Smart Home and AAL Implementations
A small 4.3 % have active Smart Home or Ambient‑Assisted‑Living solutions; the most referenced product is ZP ZuhausePlattform. Over 85 % have neither deployed nor plan such technologies.
Parcel Box Services
Only 9.9 % have installed parcel‑box stations; DHL (38.4 %) and Renz (37.4 %) dominate the market. Yet 22.5 % are considering offering the service to tenants.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
45.4 % do not plan charging stations, while 31.5 % outsource installation and operation to external providers, mainly municipal utilities. 19.8 % handle infrastructure themselves, and a minority (3.3 %) also manage billing via software.
Key Takeaways for Sustainable Housing
The survey reveals a pronounced reliance on a few dominant vendors—particularly Aareon—in core operational software, while advanced sustainability‑focused tools (ESG reporting, energy management, BIM, Smart Home) remain marginal. Nevertheless, a notable share of organisations are planning digital upgrades in tenant communication, energy data provision, and EV charging, indicating growing awareness of sustainable and smart‑housing trends across the European housing sector.