About picos

Software that connects your projects and specialist partners.

picos develops and distributes specialized software for window, door, and facade construction. The focus has always been on practical solutions for design, calculation, production, documentation, and end-to-end digitalization along real-world processes.

Year founded
1977
Customers
480+
Countries served
8
Partnerships
12+
Company

Close to industry processes for decades

The idea behind picos dates back to the 1960s: relieving specialists of time-consuming routine tasks and enabling faster, error-free processing of quotations and orders. From the beginning, the product itself was at the center – windows, doors, partitions, and later also facades.

  • Industry specialization: Focus on window, door, and facade construction as well as companies processing linear materials.
  • Practical relevance: Solutions are developed based on real workflows in design, calculation, production, and installation.
  • Continuity: A single data input enables technical, commercial, and production-specific outputs.
  • Further development: From classic PICOS applications to today’s picos Suite with new digital modules.
Focus Windows · Doors · Facades Strength Practical software Today part of heroal
History

Key milestones in the development of picos

From the first PICOS application programs to becoming part of the heroal group: development has been shaped by consistent industry focus, technical advancement, and new modules along the digital value chain.

1960s / 1970

The idea and the first applications

Simplifying complex order processing was the starting point. In 1970, the first PICOS application programs were developed for technical project processing, work preparation, scheduling, and production.

1977

Foundation of PICOS GmbH

Paul Schmalzhaf founded PICOS GmbH together with his daughter Doris – based on successful practical use within their own company.

1984 / 1987

Facades, drawings, and machine control

With modules for facade construction and drawing creation as well as programs for controlling production machines, picos significantly expanded into deeper process integration.

1996–1999

PICOS-FTF and the beginning of the heroal partnership

PICOS-FTF introduced a new graphics-oriented client/server solution for design, calculation, production, and installation. In 1999, the long-standing partnership with heroal began.

2006–2008

New standalone specialized solutions

PICOS-Opti and PICOS-ProfileStatics expanded the portfolio with cutting optimization and profile statics. Download, search, and remote support functions were also enhanced.

2019–2023

Invoice management, online ordering, and 3D visualization

New invoice management with DATEV functions, online ordering modules, project-based document management, and 3D visualization in design marked further development steps.

2024–2025

Further development with heroal and a new chapter

In 2024, collaboration with heroal in PICOS-Opti was intensified. Since 2025, PICOS has been part of the heroal group – as an independent brand with its own development and customer support. At the same time, picos ID was developed as a solution for product and project management in construction.

Success stories

Practical solutions for real requirements

picos stands for solutions developed from real industry needs. Success stories can be integrated here in the future as references, project reports, or customer testimonials – structured along the value chain.

Careers

Working at picos

Working at picos means contributing to software solutions that are directly used in practice. The environment combines long-standing industry experience, down-to-earth collaboration, and the opportunity to actively drive digitalization in metal construction.

What defines a career at picos

  • Industry proximity: Development and support closely aligned with real customer processes.
  • Responsibility: Small teams, short decision paths, and visible contributions to the product.
  • Perspective: Independent brand within a strong corporate group.
  • Collaboration: Exchange with customers, partners, and related specialist areas.
Job openings

Open jobs at picos