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

4flow software is trusted by businesses across industries

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Enabling network resilience with continuous updates

Multinational supermarket chain

A multinational supermarket chain with thousands of stores across Europe manages a complex logistics network with over €5 billion in annual costs. Adapting to changing demand is crucial.

The challenge 

Optimize the entire network by analyzing costs, transport flows, emissions and performance across regions while identifying vulnerabilities. Enable transparency to adapt the network to market changes.

Solution

  • Analyzed network performance costs and other KPIs using 4flow network design software
  • Modeled scenarios to optimize network
  • Set up a lean process and maintenance mode for continuous, low-effort network updates
  • 150+

    lanes modeled and analyzed

  • 50+

    warehouse location scenarios evaluated

Optimizing legacy networks into one lean structure

Consumer goods retailer

Recent aquisitions prompted a leading consumer goods retailer active in 31 countries to unify and scale its complex, multi-national supply chain network. 

The challenge 

Streamline the network to support market entry and long-term market expansion with improved network visibility, reduced planning effort and data-driven decision-making for growth and acquisitions.

Solution

  • 4flow network design software implemented to optimize distribution structures
  • Cost-efficient ports of discharge and optimal hub configurations identified to minimize costs
  • Planning effort reduced and significant cost savings achieved 
  • 14

    distribution centers optimized

  • 4700+

    stores included in network redesign

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.

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
  • 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.

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
  • €2,75 mio.

    savings potential identified across eight initiatives

  • +160.000

    shipments analyzed

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

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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
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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
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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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