IT service provider relies on proven technology for the secure digital exchange of business documents 

DATEV acquires a majority stake in the network specialist b4value.net GmbH. The Nuremberg-based IT service provider DATEV sees b4value.net's expertise and technology as an excellent opportunity to expand its activities relating to the secure transmission of business documents and data with the technological basis of a specialised network. The transfer of shares will take place in two steps. In the first step, DATEV Beteiligungen GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DATEV eG, will acquire a qualified majority of 75 per cent with economic effect from 1 January 2024. The agreement stipulates that DATEV Beteiligungen GmbH will acquire the remaining 25 per cent after three years and that DATEV will be the sole shareholder. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

Setting the course with proven technology 

For DATEV, acquiring a share of b4value.net GmbH is an investment in the future requirements of digitally transformed companies. The IT service provider intends to benefit from b4value.net's infrastructure, particularly concerning the development of mandatory e-invoicing in Germany and the reporting obligation for tax-relevant invoice data that is expected at a later point in time. With the TRAFFIQX® network, b4value.net operates an established and proven platform for secure electronic document and data exchange in Europe. 

"Currently, there is a great deal of momentum in the market around future-proof processes for distributing electronic business and invoice data. As a cooperative of tax consultants, auditors and lawyers, it is our task to integrate these professions into the emerging data cycles from the outset to provide the best possible support for their work for SMEs in the future," says DATEV CEO Prof Dr Robert Mayr. "b4value.net and the TRAFFIQX® network are at the technological forefront of this development and will be a valuable addition for us in this task." 

"Cost savings and process optimisation are the benefits of well-done digitalisation - it also saves resources. Our aim has always been to make these benefits accessible to all companies. As small and medium-sized enterprises make up the lion's share across Europe, we are delighted that DATEV is investing in the TRAFFIQX® network as an expert for this target group. This strengthens the digitisation rate for all market participants," says Dieter Keller, Managing Director of b4value.net GmbH. 

b4value.net remains an independent market participant 

Even after the majority takeover by DATEV, b4value.net will continue to offer its own service portfolio as a legally independent company. The co-operative DATEV, known for its economic stability and reliability, also stands for the long-term existence and reliability of b4value.net and the TRAFFIQX® network. b4value.net will make the TRAFFIQX® network available to interested market participants without restriction, even after completing the transaction. The acquisition of the shares will also not change anything for the customers, network partners, or employees of b4value.net.

DATEV and b4value.net have been working together on the basis of trust for many years. The IT service provider is part of the TRAFFIQX® network with its DATEV SmartTransfer service. In the future, DATEV also intends to utilise b4value.net's infrastructure and technology to establish itself as the technical operator of a platform to exchange business documents and data securely. Both companies share the same values regarding reliability, confidentiality, data protection, and IT security.

About DATEV eG
DATEV eG is the third-largest provider of business software in Germany (IDC Ranking 2023) and one of Europe's leading IT service providers. Founded in 1966, the cooperative of the tax consulting profession has more than 40,000 members. DATEV generated revenues of 1.3 billion euros in its fiscal year 2022. With its software, cloud solutions, and expertise, the Nuremberg-based company provides the basis for digital cooperation between small and medium-sized businesses and tax consultants who oversee their client's business management. DATEV supports 2.8 million companies, self-employed individuals, municipalities, associations, and institutions through this community. With more than 8,800 employees, the company attends to the needs of about 600,000 customers in digitising their commercial processes. Data protection, data security, and tax compliance are top priorities. 

About b4value.net 
b4value.net GmbH is the founder and technology provider of the TRAFFIQX® network - a business network for the global electronic exchange of documents and data between companies and public authorities. With renowned partners, b4value.net GmbH offers companies of all industries and sizes worldwide the technology to automate business processes and drive digitalisation forward - without interfering with existing systems and working methods. b4value.net GmbH is one of the most successful spin-offs of the German Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Kaiserslautern. 

Media contact
DATEV eG 
Benedikt Leder 
Telephone +49 911 319-51221 
 
www.datev.de/presse 
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