4flow AG
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The 4flow AG offers software and consulting for Logistics and Supply Chain Management. The software product 4flow vista has been developed as a standard software for supply chain design. 4flow vista is currently installed in 6 companies, 5 of them Automotive OEMs and suppliers. More than 80 per cent of 4flow’s revenues are from the automotive industry.
The 4flow AG was founded in May 2000 in Berlin, Germany. 4flow is venture capital financed by DEWB AG, a subsidiary of Jenoptik AG. The team is experienced within the fields of supply chain management and software development. Today 4flow employs about 30 team members, mainly software developers and logistics consultants, which embody the integration of logistics and development knowledge.
The aim of NetDesign is to enable the European automotive industry to deliver a build-to-order-car within 5 days, by setting a holistic framework for products, technology and logistics. This will be achieved by offering not only a vision, strategies and concepts, but by the delivery of a mock-up application that enables dynamic, inter-enterprise network design and static evaluation. The mock-up application will enable the assessment of the impact of concepts and strategies regarding product structure and complexity, production technology, and design of the value creation network and processes on the ability to deliver a build-to-order-5day-car.
4flow can offer sound knowledge in supply chain management, especially logistics networks as well as experienced development capabilities in this area. 4flow has developed the supply chain design software 4flow vista, which enables the design and visualisation of complex network structures and processes including costs and capacities. It offers a unique possibility by integrating both, network design and process planning. By using different design levels, the software can by applied for strategic network planning as well as for detailed process planning at sites. Therefore the software covers different planning challenges, from planning of complete logistics networks in early design stages, distribution networks up to reverse logistics.
In February 2002 4flow was funded by the Innovation Promotion Program of the European Regional Development Fund to develop a software prototype for supply chain design of spare parts networks. 4flow implements new scientific methodologies for spare part demand forecasting and inventory optimization in a software prototype, joining it with the existing network design functions of 4flow vista. The promotion program will end in December 2003.
Key people: Dr. Stefan Wolff, CEO and co-founder of 4flow. Received two scientific awards for his doctoral dissertation on "Time-based Management in the Automotive industry" (summa cum laude). Works for clients like BMW, DaimlerChrysler, General Motors Europe, MAN, Opel, Renault, Rover and several Automotive suppliers. Contributed to significant lead time reductions at OEM’s. Kai Althoff, COO and co-founder of 4flow. Graduated in Industrial Engineering at the Technical University of Berlin and the Dublin City University. Works for clients like Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Delphi, Magna Steyr, Nedcar, smart.
Web: www.4flow.de
Last modified 05.10.2004 08:50