RATIOsoftware (RATIOww / TouPac)
RATIOsoftware GmbH & Co. KG (Mönchengladbach, DE) builds an expansive ERP ecosystem refined over 35 years. The architecture targets enterprise operators running complex mixed fleets: tour operators, incoming agencies, public transit providers, and travel agencies. Its primary strength is interdependent automation — an action in one module cascades across the entire financial and operational backend.
Tech Stack & Deployment
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deployment | On-premise (Windows), client-server architecture |
| Database | Microsoft SQL Server |
| Mobile | Web-service-connected FIS-App (offline-capable); B2C app; Time-tracking app |
| UI paradigm | Microsoft Office 2016-style interface (ribbon navigation) |
Core Modules & Differentiators
- TouPac Touristik: Core booking for domestic operators. Differentiator: Treats options and firm bookings identically, allowing full seat-plan assignments before confirmation.
- TouPac Incoming: B2B procurement engine. Differentiator: Deep margin tracking handing off directly to the UStG margin-tax calculator.
- Reisebüro: Travel agency aggregator. Differentiator: Automated parsing of IATA flight and rail tickets from CRS/GDS systems (Start®, Merlin®, Sabre®).
- Disposition & Shuttlemanager: Central planning board. Differentiator: The Shuttlemanager auto-calculates feeder-route pick-up times and aggregates passenger needs (wheelchairs) before handing to main dispatch.
- Linienverwaltung: Public transit engineering. Differentiator: Geocoded networks exporting standardized VDV DINO 1.6 data to transit authorities.
- Finanzen & Controlling: Full financial chain. Differentiator: Records lock to GoBD-compliant "fest verbucht" states upon DATEV export.
- Mobile Edge: Suite of specialized edge apps. Differentiator: FIS-App captures border-crossing timestamps via geofencing for EU minimum-wage compliance.
Integrations
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| CRS / GDS | Start®, Merlin®, Sabre® (auto-import) |
| Finance | DATEV (Format 2021, GoBD-locked export) |
| Public transit | VDV DINO 1.6 |
| Workshop | COSware (predictive maintenance, barcode inventory) |
| CRM / Email | Microsoft Outlook (bidirectional sync, direct SQL archival) |
Pricing Model
License-based on-premise model with modular purchasing. Implementation is consultant-led.
Strategic Takeaways
Strengths
- Unmatched process depth — the gold standard for mapping DACH edge cases (margin tax, border crossings, school-transport per-passenger billing).
- Automation cascading — a GPS stamp from a driver flows completely untouched through logistics into payroll and into a GoBD-locked DATEV export.
- Deepest module coverage — handles every edge of the mobility market (tourism, charter, public transit, agency) simultaneously.
Weaknesses
- Heavy legacy UX — the core system relies on dense, Office-style ribbon menus with steep learning curves and high training requirements.
- No cloud / SaaS option — operators are locked into managing complex on-premise IT infrastructure.
- E-Commerce lag — relies on standard web portal syncs rather than modern, composable API architectures.