Crafting Success: How Plancraft's SaaS Solution is Facilitating the Daily Struggles of Craftsmen

In September of last year, we announced our investment into Plancraft, a cloud-based project and cost calculation SaaS for small and medium-sized craftsmen shops. The SME craftsmen industry in Germany, Austria and Switzerland consists of over 650.000 businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Most of those craftsmen use a combination of MS-Office and outdated CD-based software for their invoicing and bookkeeping. In many cases, the master craftsmen complete their invoicing late in the evening which leads to human errors. Finally, the emergence of cloud-based software is only starting in this industry. This provides fertile ground for cloud-based innovation. The entrepreneurs Alexander Noll, Julian Wiedenhaus and Richard Keil understood the need for an accessible Web App and thus created Plancraft.

The challenges for digital solutions in the craftsmen industry

The craftsmen industry faces several challenges when it comes to adopting digital solutions. First, one of the main hurdles is the traditional nature of the industry, which often relies on age-old practices and techniques passed down through generations. Implementing new digital technologies can be met with resistance, skepticism, and a fear of losing the essence of their craft. Second, the craftsmen community may lack the necessary technical knowledge and digital literacy, making it challenging for them to effectively utilize and integrate digital tools into their workflows. Third, the cost of investing in digital solutions, such as software, hardware, and training, can be prohibitive for small-scale craftsmen businesses with limited resources. Overarchingly, the crafts sector is under significant pressure, primarily due to the increasing shortage of skilled workers. This is illustrated by an overall decreasing number of craftsmen in Germany, as more people tend to pursue academic paths. Consequently, it is essential to enhance efficiency within the craftsmen industry, leading to a rising demand for digital solutions. Concerns about data security and privacy are also prevalent, especially when considering the transition from paper-based records to digital systems. Overcoming these challenges will require affordable and user-friendly digital tools, and a shift in mindset towards embracing the potential benefits of technology.

How Plancraft is a true problem-solver for many craftsmen

Plancraft provides a semi-automated tool for quotations management, craftsmen communication, and invoicing, thereby replacing manual and non-scalable calculation processes. With an intuitive interface, craftsmen are guided through the system effortlessly, while the intelligent search and position-handling functionalities ensure efficiency in document management. Seamlessly managing company contacts and associated orders becomes an effortless task, facilitated by the app's user-friendly interface. The software automatically recommends prices for renovations based on previous invoices with the same or similar customers. The Plancraft founders understand the day-to-day work of craftsmen, allowing them to work offline and access the platform across all devices. The cloud-based solution that is offered by Plancraft ensures data security and privacy during the transition from paper-based records to digital systems. The tool incorporates robust security measures like encryption and secure data storage to protect sensitive information. Adhering to strict compliance standards, this solution allows craftspeople to confidently embrace digital technology while safeguarding their valuable data.

Why we invested in Plancraft

Throughout our due diligence process, we especially focus on the following three fields: People, product, and progress. The founders impressed us from the very first discussions with their in-depth knowledge on the SME craftsmen market, which is also rooted in their own family-background in the industry. Their product is a true problem-solver for many craftsmen. Given the increasing complexity and reporting requirements of craftsmen projects, e.g. due to large-scale energy-saving renovations within the next years, there is a strong need for more process automation. Finally, the commercial progress of Plancraft over the last months is truly remarkable with already thousands of companies actively using their software. It is important to us that we support our founders with all the means at our disposal. We act not only as an investor, but as a real sparring partner. Let's ask our founders what they have to say:

"xdeck ventures boosts our business through their extensive knowledge, cleverness and network. Beyond capital, they support us in B2B sales (e.g. pricing, sales org.), legal issues or advice in strategic decision-making. Discussions are on eye level and balance constructive criticism with encouragement. This makes xdeck ventures valuable to us." - Julian Wiedenhaus

We are thrilled to join Plancraft on their journey to facilitate the daily struggles of craftsmen in the DACH-region – one hammer at a time!