INFORM Software
INFORM Software is a privately held German enterprise software company that develops AI-powered Decision Intelligence software combining Operations Research and Machine Learning to optimize business processes. It serves over 1,000 enterprise customers across aviation, manufacturing, logistics, finance, automotive, and maritime industries via direct sales and global regional offices.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersAachen, Germany
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What INFORM Software does
INFORM Software (legal entity: INFORM Institut für Operations Research und Management GmbH) is a privately held German enterprise software company headquartered in Aachen, Germany, founded in 1969/1972. The company develops AI-powered Decision Intelligence software that combines Operations Research algorithms, Machine Learning, and proprietary Process AI technology to optimize complex business processes. INFORM serves more than 1,000 enterprise and mid-market customers across six primary verticals: aviation (airports, ground handlers, airlines), manufacturing (mechanical and plant engineering, automotive, chemical, medical engineering), logistics (container terminals, distribution centers, intermodal operators), finance & banking (financial institutions, payment processors, insurance carriers), automotive logistics, and maritime.
The product portfolio is anchored by a core Process AI technology platform with specialized solutions including GROUNDSTAR (aviation ground operations at 170+ airports), FELIOS (production planning and scheduling), RISKSHIELD (real-time fraud prevention and AML compliance), SYNCROTESS (terminal logistics and AGV control), SYNCROSUPPLY (supply chain management), WORKFORCEPLUS (workforce management), ADD*ONE (series production planning), INVENT XPERT (SAP EWM inventory), and YMSlite (vehicle yard management). AI capabilities span optimization, anomaly detection, predictive analytics, process automation, NLP, and generative AI/LLM applications.
INFORM operates a direct enterprise field sales model with a consultative selling approach, supported by wholly-owned regional offices in Singapore, Australia, Brazil, Chile, North America, and Portugal. Revenue is generated primarily through enterprise software licenses (subscription recurring), with some solutions available as SaaS, supplemented by professional services for implementation, consulting, and training. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and requires direct sales engagement. The company is led by Co-CEOs Dr. Andreas Meyer and Peter Frerichs, with Jörg Herbers also listed in CEO capacity, and operates with 1,001–5,000 employees globally.
INFORM Software firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- INFORM Software
- Legal name
- INFORM Institut für Operations Research und Management GmbH
- Website
- https://inform-software.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- INFORM Software is a privately held German enterprise software company that develops AI-powered Decision Intelligence software combining Operations Research and Machine Learning to optimize business processes. It serves over 1,000 enterprise customers across aviation, manufacturing, logistics, finance, automotive, and maritime industries via direct sales and global regional offices.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
INFORM Software industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Enterprise Decision Intelligence Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- AI/ML Decision Intelligence & Automated Recommendations (TLAEAKAL), Data Integration, APIs & Telematics Data Platforms (TLABAJAM), Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH)
Keywords
Where INFORM Software is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aachen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
INFORM Software business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Enterprise Software Licenses: INFORM sells enterprise software solutions across aviation, production, logistics, risk/fraud, supply chain, and workforce management domains. Solutions are deployed as enterprise software with implementation services.
- Software as a Service (SaaS): Some solutions are available as immediately usable SaaS offerings, indicating a cloud-based subscription model for certain products.
- Professional Services: Implementation, consulting, and training services to deploy and customize INFORM solutions for customer-specific environments.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
INFORM Software product offering
Product offeringCore offering
INFORM Software develops and sells AI-powered decision intelligence software for business process optimization across aviation, manufacturing, logistics, finance, automotive, and maritime industries. Its portfolio of standalone products includes GROUNDSTAR for aviation ground operations, FELIOS for production planning and scheduling, RISKSHIELD for fraud prevention and AML compliance, SYNCROTESS for terminal logistics, SYNCROSUPPLY for supply chain management, WORKFORCEPLUS for workforce management, ADD*ONE for series production planning, INVENT XPERT for inventory management, and YMSlite for yard management.
Product overview
INFORM Software develops AI-powered decision intelligence software for process optimization across multiple industries. The product portfolio is organized around a core Process AI technology platform with multiple specialized solutions: GROUNDSTAR for aviation ground operations (airport resource management, aircraft turnaround optimization), FELIOS for production planning and scheduling (with modules for shift planning, staff planning, and project planning), RISKSHIELD for fraud prevention and AML compliance, SYNCROTESS for terminal logistics and AGV control, SYNCROSUPPLY for supply chain management, WORKFORCEPLUS for workforce management, ADD*ONE for simultaneous production planning, INVENT XPERT for inventory management, and YMSlite for vehicle yard management. The company serves over 1,000 customers across aviation, manufacturing, logistics, finance, retail, and maritime industries. Solutions are available as standalone products or integrated modules, with offerings for both single/small batch manufacturing and series production environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Process AI: AI-powered decision-making technology platform that combines AI and Decision Intelligence for business process optimization
- ADD*ONE
- FELIOS
- GROUNDSTAR
- INVENT XPERT
- RISKSHIELD
- SYNCROSUPPLY
- SYNCROTESS
- WORKFORCEPLUS
- YMSlite
Products and services
- GROUNDSTAR Aviation ground operations software for airport resource management, ground handling resource management, and aircraft turnaround optimization, deployed at over 170 global airports.
- FELIOS Production planning and scheduling software for mechanical and plant engineering, combining production planning, shift planning, staff planning, and project/assembly planning capabilities for single and small batch manufacturers.
- RISKSHIELD Real-time fraud prevention and risk management platform offering fraud detection for instant payments, claims fraud, subscription fraud, AML compliance, KYC/CDD, suspicious activity monitoring, and credit risk scoring.
- SYNCROTESS Terminal logistics and transport management system for intralogistics, AGV control, yard management, and horizontal transport optimization at maritime terminals, distribution centers, and industrial facilities.
- SYNCROSUPPLY Supply chain management software for demand planning, inventory management, spare parts management, and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP).
- WORKFORCEPLUS AI-powered workforce management software with employee app, process analysis, and staff planning capabilities for shift and task assignment across manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and aviation industries.
- ADD*ONE Optimization solution for simultaneous production planning for series manufacturers, enabling feasible, cost-optimized, and on-time production planning.
- INVENT XPERT Stocktaking and inventory management software offering inventory sampling and inventory management specifically for SAP EWM environments.
- YMSlite Yard management system for vehicle logistics, supporting car terminals and finished vehicle logistics operations.
Companies that use INFORM Software
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
INFORM Software technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature3 records
INFORM Software partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- PSA AntwerpflagshipINFORM and PSA Antwerp partnership for maritime terminal optimization. Successfully implemented Integrated Terminal Scheduler (ITS) at Europa Terminal in March 2026. The optimization software supports full operational capacity by dynamically managing the entire horizontal transport chain across Automated Stacking Cranes, Straddle Carriers, and Quay Cranes, demonstrating that transformation can be implemented without compromising service levels during a complex modernization project.
- ACFE (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners)coreINFORM supports International Fraud Awareness Week by promoting anti-fraud education and awareness initiatives worldwide. As a leader in AI-powered fraud prevention solutions, INFORM partners with ACFE engaging in activities such as training, surveys, and media campaigns to raise awareness about fraud prevention.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
INFORM Software competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SAP (specifically SAP IBP / SAP EWM): SAP provides supply chain planning (IBP), warehouse management (EWM), and broad enterprise software. INFORM explicitly integrates with SAP EWM and competes for production planning (FELIOS) and supply chain (SYNCROSUPPLY) workloads inside SAP shops.
- ABB (Ability Optimization): ABB provides industrial automation software, AGV/robotics control, and mining/marine automation systems alongside INFORM's SYNCROTESS AGV control and maritime automation offerings. Larger incumbents in industrial automation and process control.
Direct peers
- Blue Yonder: Blue Yonder is a direct competitor in AI-driven supply chain planning, demand planning, and S&OP. Overlaps with INFORM's SYNCROSUPPLY and FELIOS offerings for manufacturers and distributors globally.
- o9 Solutions: o9 Solutions provides an AI-powered Integrated Business Planning platform spanning supply chain, S&OP, and demand planning. Competes head-on with INFORM SYNCROSUPPLY for large enterprise planning deals.
- Kinaxis: Kinaxis (formerly Kinaxis Inc.) offers the RapidResponse platform for concurrent supply chain planning, with strong manufacturing and S&OP positioning. Directly comparable to INFORM's industrial planning and scheduling capabilities.
- Manhattan Associates: Manhattan Associates provides supply chain, inventory, and yard management software. Overlaps with INFORM's SYNCROTESS, YMSlite, and INVENT XPERT offerings in distribution and yard management.
- FICO: FICO is a leading provider of fraud detection, AML compliance, and credit risk scoring platforms. Directly comparable to INFORM's RISKSHIELD product for financial institutions and payment processors.
- AIMMS (now Atana): AIMMS provides advanced optimization modeling and decision support software built on operations research - the same mathematical heritage INFORM leverages. Competes in supply chain optimization, production planning, and workforce planning.
- Descartes Systems Group: Descartes provides logistics technology, transportation management, and customs compliance software. Overlaps with INFORM's logistics, finished vehicle logistics, and time slot management solutions.
Emerging players
- Celonis: Celonis pioneered process mining and AI-driven process optimization. While distinct technically, it represents an adjacent and emerging approach to operational process optimization that could overlap with INFORM's Process AI value proposition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
INFORM Software social profiles
Digital presenceINFORM Software financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
INFORM Software leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
INFORM Software subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
INFORM Software funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
INFORM Software M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about INFORM Software
What does INFORM Software do?
INFORM Software develops and sells AI-powered decision intelligence software for business process optimization across aviation, manufacturing, logistics, finance, automotive, and maritime industries. Its portfolio of standalone products includes GROUNDSTAR for aviation ground operations, FELIOS for production planning and scheduling, RISKSHIELD for fraud prevention and AML compliance, SYNCROTESS for terminal logistics, SYNCROSUPPLY for supply chain management, WORKFORCEPLUS for workforce management, ADD*ONE for series production planning, INVENT XPERT for inventory management, and YMSlite for yard management.
Is INFORM Software a public or private company?
INFORM Software is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was INFORM Software founded?
INFORM Software was founded in 1972. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is INFORM Software based?
INFORM Software is headquartered in Aachen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does INFORM Software make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Enterprise Software Licenses are the primary driver. The others are software as a Service (SaaS) and professional Services.
Who are INFORM Software's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SAP (specifically SAP IBP / SAP EWM) and ABB (Ability Optimization). Direct peers are Blue Yonder, o9 Solutions, Kinaxis, Manhattan Associates, FICO, AIMMS (now Atana) and Descartes Systems Group. Celonis is listed as an emerging player.
Does INFORM Software have an API?
No public API is recorded for INFORM Software.
What industry is INFORM Software in?
INFORM Software's product category is Enterprise Decision Intelligence Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAHAJ, Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian), with a secondary code of TLAEAKAL, AI/ML Decision Intelligence & Automated Recommendations. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7373.