Software

Supply chain 

network design 

for resilient growth

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Identify new opportunities in your supply chain with advanced network design software

  • Reduce supply chain costs by up to 20%
     
  • Boost service levels with AI-driven optimization​
     
  • Design efficient networks in record time

Supply chain networks are facing pressure to perform like never before 

Cost and performance pressures are rising for global supply chain networks. Disruptions and volatility force teams to focus on operational challenges, and complex data landscapes make true visibility seem impossible. 

Empower your team to make confident strategic decisions in your supply chain network. Data-driven analysis and interactive visualizations with what-if scenario comparisons make it easy to test reactions and see their impact in record time. 

Achieve more in your supply chain network with 4flow VIA®

  • Up to 20% cost reduction

    Up to 20% cost reduction

    Optimize your network from transportation to inventory and site locations to reduce costs while maintaining service levels.

    • Cost-optimize transportation routes and schedules
    • Reduce inventory levels and costs without compromising service levels
    • Make smarter location decisions that reduce your overall cost-to-serve
  • Faster planning and data-driven decision

    Faster planning and data-driven decision

    Make smarter, faster decisions with AI-powered optimization and scenario comparison

    • Speed up network planning with user-friendly analysis of complex data
    • Empower your decisions with side-by-side KPI comparisons
    • Visualize AI-optimized network suggestions to guide your best strategy
  • End-to-end network visibility

    End-to-end network visibility

    Gain a full view of your supply, production and distribution network 

    • Spot disruptions early with end-to-end network visibility  
    • Track inventory with precision to reduce overstocking and stockouts
    • Improve agility with real-time data for all stakeholders
  • Supply chain resilience

    Supply chain resilience

    Test scenarios virtually and adapt to shifting demand, disruptions and growth with confidence

    • Adapt quickly to market changes without risking operational stability
    • Test and plan your growth strategies safely
    • Prepare for disruptions and recovery quickly
  • Emissions reduction

    Emissions reduction

    Track carbon emissions in your network to empower sustainable change 

    • Track carbon emissions with a certified, industry-standard system
    • Align stakeholders on your network’s emissions
    • Identify areas to reduce emissions to reach your sustainability goals
  • Scalable network design

    Scalable network design

    Ensure measurable results with scalable, modular software that integrates with your existing IT

    • Get fast results with intuitive, modular software
    • Connect network design seamlessly with your existing systems and data sources
    • Scale confidently with software that grows with your organization

Did you know...

4flow has been listed as a Representative Vendor in the 2025 Gartner Market Guide for Supply Chain Network Design Tools for the fourth year in a row.*

Real-world success stories with 4flow VIA®

4flow VIA® in practice: key use cases

Unlock supply chain visibility with interactive analytics

Network visualization and analysis

Geospatial dashboards, digital twin modeling and carbon tracking at the touch of a button. Analyze structures, identify inefficiencies and align network costs with your goals.

Key capabilities:

  • Analyze your network with interactive, real-time maps
  • Get actionable recommendations to optimize sites and flows
  • Respond to disruptions and track KPIs

Build resilient, cost-efficient supply chains

Network design and optimization

Use AI-supported tools for greenfield and brownfield planning, scenario comparison and multi-objective tuning. Design flexible networks that balance cost, risk and performance.

Key capabilities:

  • Evaluate scenarios and key cost drivers
  • Optimize network size and location
  • Simulate growth and disruption

Smarter routing for up to 20% cost reduction and lower emissions

Transportation planning

Optimize multimodal transportation with what-if scenario planning, automated load planning and cost-to-serve insights. Improve agility and reduce emissions at the same time.

Key capabilities:

  • Determine optimal transportation modes
  • Forecast demand and streamline tendering
  • Reduce empty runs and minimize fuel waste

Smarter inventory decisions at every level of your network

Inventory optimization

Use data-driven insights and scenario modeling to align inventory levels with service targets, reduce excess stock and increase responsiveness across your supply chain.

Key capabilities:

  • Balance cost and service across your network.
  • Simulate what-if scenarios to evaluate trade-offs quickly
  • Optimize stock allocation to avoid shortages

Technology that powers smarter supply chain networks 

4flow combines AI-supported optimization and over 20 years of in-house development to deliver scalable, high-performance network design, optimization and planning solutions. 

Make robust network decisions with AI-supported optimization

How 4flow VIA® works

  • How 4flow VIA® works

4flow VIA® user interface

A unified and intuitive front end for scenario modeling, KPI dashboards and decision workflows — designed for fast, actionable insights.

AI optimization engine

Powerful multi-objective solvers automate design decisions, simulate scenarios and identify optimal trade-offs across cost, service and risk.

Data lake

Central repository for harmonized supply chain data. It enables scalable analytics, historical benchmarking and dynamic scenario inputs.

Integration layer

Connects 4flow software with customer data lakes and external platforms like SAP, Kinaxis and Excel to ensure seamless data exchange.

Unite precision and flexibility in one optimization engine​

  • Data-driven optimization and quick analysis​

  • Trusted support for smarter, faster decision-making​

  • Ideal for complex, multimodal networks

Trusted by industry leaders

Contact us

Optimizing DCs and global routes with 4flow

Global machinery manufacturer

The challenge

  • Global manufacturing company analyzing finished goods distribution from multiple plants to customer locations across North America
  • Complex multimodal network involving ocean freight, drayage, and over-the-road transport
  • Finished goods produced at multiple sites with varied requirements, including heavy and oversized items

The solution

  • Leveraged 4flow Network Design software to provide cost transparency, evaluate tariff structures, and support decision-making
  • Enabled "what-if" scenarios for production volumes, collection frequencies, and warehousing costs.
  • Conducted a detailed network study, that included greenfield and training of the team

The results

  • 2,000,000$

    reduction in logistics costs

Network and greenfield optimization for a top European FMCG company

Multinational food company

The challenge 

  • Leading FMCG company with a broad production footprint across Northern and Central Europe
  • Operates a large-scale logistics network with diverse source and delivery points
  • Network delivers to retail customer DCs with tight cost margins on customer-branded products
  • Requires full visibility into current network flows to address service levels and cost pressure

The solution

  • Modeled baseline using a distance-based evaluation (instead of actual transport cost)
  • Initiated greenfield network analysis to assess future-state options
  • Launched redesign of customer-to-warehouse allocations for distribution efficiency
  • Included lead-time considerations (isochrone logic) and full SKU-level network modeling to ensure routing transparency

The results

  • 182k

    shipments analyzed

  • 2.448

    customer locations mapped

  • 103

    network nodes

Designing a scalable network from the ground up

Automotive manufacturer

A new global automaker with 150 suppliers and 10 logistics carriers aimed to scale production and build a cost-efficient, scalable inbound supply chain across road, sea, air and rail from scratch.

The challenge 

Efficiently scale production for sustainable growth. Design a flexible transport network, optimize shipments for 150 suppliers, forecast costs accurately and prepare for future outbound flows.

The solution

  • Implemented 4flow network design for cost transparency, tariff evaluation and detailed network studies
  • Optimized production, warehouse and transport with "what-if" scenarios and quarterly reviews
  • Improved supplier decisions and forecasting with demand-driven, data-backed insights

The result

  • 1 mio. m³

    volume optimized per year

  • Quarterly

    network reviews implemented for transparency

Redesigning a complex logistics network to enable strategic decision-making

Industrial manufacturer

A leading European HVAC company with a complex distribution network spanning across Europe and Asia sought to improve network efficiency and support future logistics decisions.

The challenge 

Limited visibility into transport flows, lead times and DC utilization in a complex network. Needed a transparent baseline and analytical support to enable cost-efficient logistics decisions and future scenario planning.

The solution

  • Mapped inbound and outbound transportation lanes, including volume, modes, LSP and utilization
  • Performed center of gravity analysis to assess strategic DC/CDC positioning
  • Identified actionable initiatives including direct shipments, regional consolidations and delivery rerouting

The results

  • €2.75 mio.

    savings potential identified across eight initiatives

  • +160,000

    shipments analyzed

Redesigning intercompany tours for yearly savings with 4flow

Global automotive supplier

The challenge

  • Tier 1 multi-industry supplier with a complex intercompany network, over 60 structured tours and daily transport requirements across multiple plants
  • Optimization was limited to local efforts, lacking cross-regional visibility and transparency into key metrics
  • Logistics team faced cost pressure and needed a sustainable, software-supported optimization method

The solution 

  • Applied 4flow Network Design software to model, assess, and restructure 24 tours (~62,000 tons/year)
  • Project led by the customer´s team with 4flow support, combining domain, industry, and software expertise
  • Built a detailed network model using ERP data and corporate data lake to identify lowutilization transport routes
  • Enabled smart restructuring of tours via hub usage and flexible cut-offs

The results

  • 500k

    €/year savings on transport spend

  • ~12%

    reduction in intercompany transport cost

  • 62.000

    tons/year restructured

Support for industry-specific supply chain challenges — with flexible software tailored to your organization

Consumer goods and retail

Balance cost and service with demand-responsive network optimization that aligns your distribution with market shifts and customer expectations.

Read more

Automotive manufacturers

Enhance global production networks with advanced network design tools that improve cost-efficiency, reduce risk and ensure resilience across complex supply chains.

Read more

Automotive suppliers

Adapt faster to OEM demands through dynamic scenario modeling, optimized delivery routes and real-time visibility across multi-tier supply networks.

Read more

Machinery manufacturers

Streamline global part-to-system flows with end-to-end network modeling — from component sourcing to final assembly and distribution.

Read more

Pharma and life sciences

Design agile, compliant networks for temperature-sensitive or regulated products — with built-in risk modeling and supply security strategies.

Read more

Basic materials and chemicals

Optimize bulk and regulated flows using volume-driven network design, transportation simulation and compliance-ready planning tools.

Read more

FAQ

4flow VIA can start to model, analyze and optimize your network with just two types of data input. That means the software is usable for most businesses – even if all you have are addresses of your network sites and shipment data from recent weeks. If you have additional data, you can add data types for an even fuller picture.

The timeline can vary depending on the project’s complexity, data availability and objectives. Thanks to modern tools, project timelines have decreased significantly. What once took up to six months can now be done in under two months—sometimes just a few weeks—with advanced supply chain software like 4flow VIA®.

Today’s supply chains face rising complexity, shifting customer expectations and constant cost pressure. Optimizing your network enables cost control, increased flexibility and improved service delivery while supporting long-term sustainability and growth

You should reassess your network after events such as:

  • Major supply chain disruptions
  • Product or technology launches
  • Regulatory or trade shifts
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Market entries

It depends on your complexity, industry dynamics, and customer variability. With today’s software, many companies reevaluate their network two or more times a year, especially during high-demand or rapid change periods.

4flow VIA® is designed for flexible integration and ease of use. You typically need:

  •  A stable internet connection and standard modern web browser
  • Access to your company’s ERP, TMS or data sources (e.g., SAP, Kinaxis or Excel)
  • IT support for data integration and user access setup
  • No special hardware is required, and cloud deployment is available for faster onboarding

4flow offers modular software pricing per license. That way, you only pay for what you need, guaranteeing the greatest ROI. Contact our software experts to discuss your use case and get details about pricing.

Any questions or looking for additional insights?

  • Download application-specific one-pagers showing how 4flow software solutions support customers from various industries
  • Access our on-demand webinar recordings on most common use cases

Access download area

Network planning and optimization

Optimizing inventory allocation across networks to balance cost and service level fulfillment

An effective approach for complex distribution networks facing fluctuating demand
Read more

Get ready for top trends in supply chain network design in 2024

Advancements in network design will help businesses overcome volatility and respond to disruptions, environmental regulations and more
Read more

Center of gravity analysis for the location of new logistics sites

Evaluating a common network design method in today’s supply chain landscape
Read more

Sustainable cost optimization with customized supply chain network design

Six steps for an optimized supply network
Read more

“Transportation optimization is becoming critical to ensure significant cost savings and supply chain resilience”

Pave the way to improved performance and cost reduction with network design, transportation optimization, data analytics and more
Read more

Network visibility — the first step towards supply chain agility

Gain supply chain transparency and better prepare for disruptions with 4flow VIA® suite – network visualization and analysis
Read more

Further reading

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*Gartner, Market Guide for Supply Chain Network Design Tools, Vicky Forman, Pia Orup Lund, February 17, 2025

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s Research & Advisory organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

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