Date:
12 Jan 2026
Author:
PREO AG
Used software
From startup to European second-hand software reseller
When PREO was founded in 2005, the trade in second-hand corporate software was still operating in a legally grey area. From the very beginning, PREO operated on the basis of clear legal positions and with the ambition to develop the market transparently and in full compliance with regulations. The landmark rulings by the CJEU (European Court of Justice) and the BGH (German Federal Court of Justice) in 2012 and 2013 finally confirmed this legal view unequivocally – a turning point that gave the entire European secondary market additional momentum and legal certainty.
Today, PREO is one of the few companies to have emerged from the early pioneering phase of the second-hand software market – and to have held its ground by maintaining exceptionally high standards for verification and documentation. The company operates in a segment that, according to industry analysts, is worth around 1.3 billion euros and is growing by approximately ten per cent annually. With locations in Salzhausen and Hamburg, as well as Country Managers in several European regions, PREO supports more than 5,000 organisations – ranging from SMEs and public authorities to ministries and large international corporations.
A primary reason for this long-standing success is that the economic impact is immediately measurable. PREO AG frequently reduces its customers' licensing costs by 50 to 70 per cent without restricting functionality, while maintaining consistently high compliance requirements. This success is built on a team that has navigated the complex licensing models of hyperscalers for years, becoming a reliable licensing expert for its clientele.
"Trust is not built through declarations of intent, but through verifiable processes." — Boris Vöge, CEO, PREO Software AG
Documented proof as a brand core
PREO is recognised in the market as a provider that places particular emphasis on legally secure traceability. Every license is fully documented, including the chain of rights and previous ownership history. Technologies such as blockchain-based validation, legal audits, and the proprietary "Easy Compliance" licensing portal enable audit-proof documentation – essential for all organisations with the highest compliance standards.
Between cloud euphoria and digital sovereignty
The market for second-hand software is being driven by structural trends. Companies and public authorities are increasingly turning to hybrid IT models, as total dependency on US hyperscalers is increasingly perceived as a strategic risk. Issues such as data sovereignty, cost control, and availability are now being discussed not just in technical terms, but from a geopolitical perspective.
"The cloud is not an end state, but a tool. And companies are realising: not everything belongs in the cloud." — Boris Vöge
At the same time, on-premises models are experiencing a new-found relevance. For many organisations, second-hand software always serves as an economically stable and auditable counterpoint to subscription-driven cloud models.
Independence as a strategic guideline
PREO sees itself as a provider that leads organisations out of manufacturer dependencies. Vendor lock-in is considered an economic risk that unnecessarily restricts operational options.
Microsoft provides a current example:
The company is continuing its multi-year series of price increases. From July 2026, the prices of numerous Microsoft 365 Business subscriptions, as well as Office 365 E and F plans, will increase by up to 25 per cent. For many companies, this development exacerbates a cost trend that is already placing a significant strain on IT budgets.
Microsoft's recurring price adjustments are part of a larger market trend: Subscription inflation – the systematic rise in SaaS subscription prices. The consequence of this trend is a continuous increase in the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), even when usage and requirements remain unchanged. For years, analysts have described this development as one of the central challenges of modern IT procurement. PREO supports companies in regaining their room for manoeuvre – through legally secure licenses, audited processes, and economically viable alternatives.
"Vendor lock-in occurs when competition is lacking. Our task is to create alternatives." — Boris Vöge
From reseller to strategic partner for digital sovereignty
In recent years, PREO has strategically evolved its business model: moving from a second-hand software reseller to a provider that supports companies in strategic matters of licensing and infrastructure planning. While Microsoft products dominated the core business for decades, demand is shifting, and PREO has strategically diversified its portfolio. New business areas have emerged from expertise and partnerships – particularly regarding VMware following the Broadcom acquisition, as well as Oracle and Adobe solutions, for which companies are also increasingly seeking cost-effective and legally secure alternatives.
"Those who make the decisions regarding technology and data determine the direction of a company. Our task is to return this decision-making power to our customers." Boris Vöge
