FlowChief
FlowChief GmbH (Wendelstein, Germany, founded 2001) is a private software vendor providing 100% web-native SCADA, process control, HMI, and energy management software used by municipal water/wastewater utilities, industrial operators, and equipment OEMs across the DACH region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersWendelstein, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What FlowChief does
FlowChief GmbH is a Wendelstein, Germany-based software company founded in 2001 that builds 100% web-native (HTML5, plugin-free) automation software for industrial process control, SCADA, and energy management. Its core platform combines a process control system (PLS), SCADA, web-based HMI, mobile access via scadaApp, and an energy management module branded e-Gem, all configurable through a browser without external development tooling. OPC UA is used as the primary communication standard, with mass-data configuration via Excel and a wizard that auto-generates data models from PLC metadata, enabling deployment from compact HMI for small biogas plants to full-scale municipal water and wastewater process control.
The company primarily serves German-speaking municipal and industrial operators of critical infrastructure — water and wastewater utilities, energy and ISO 50001 compliance teams, biogas and combined-heat-and-power operators, and plant/machine OEMs — alongside enterprise customers including SCHOTT, SMA Solar Technology, SKF, Harzwasserwerke, Infraserv Höchst, and Huber SE. Long-tenured deployments (up to ~20 years at Stadt Erlangen and 14+ years at SCHOTT) indicate deep embedding into operational technology stacks, complemented by HTML5 mobile/web access, hot-standby redundancy, and NIS2/KRITIS-aware capabilities for critical-infrastructure operators.
FlowChief monetizes through a mix of perpetual on-premises licensing, SaaS, leasing, annual maintenance contracts under the FlowChief Secure brand, and professional services including training and commissioned programming. Distribution is split between direct enterprise sales from headquarters and a certified system-integration partner program (Geal, Elektro Hofmockel, bgu-Umweltschutzanlagen, Zebotec, Spangler, Zeppelin Power Systems) that delivers and operates projects for end customers, with an emerging OEM/white-label channel fronted by the Head of Product Management. The company also sustains an academic R&D pipeline through research collaborations with TH Köln and TH Nürnberg.
FlowChief firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FlowChief
- Legal name
- FlowChief GmbH
- Website
- https://flowchief.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- FlowChief GmbH (Wendelstein, Germany, founded 2001) is a private software vendor providing 100% web-native SCADA, process control, HMI, and energy management software used by municipal water/wastewater utilities, industrial operators, and equipment OEMs across the DACH region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FlowChief industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Automation Software (SCADA / Process Control)
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)
- SIC
- Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Instrumentation, Controls & Automation (DCS/PLC/SCADA, SIS, Metering) (EUAEAFAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- EMS Digitalization (Software Selection, Configuration & Workflow Automation) (EUAHAIAL)
Keywords
Where FlowChief is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wendelstein
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
FlowChief business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licensing (On-Premises): FlowChief software is sold as a perpetual license with optional on-premises installation. Customers can purchase and host the software on their own infrastructure.
- Software-as-a-Service (SaaS): FlowChief offers a cloud-hosted SaaS delivery model including support and maintenance, eliminating the need for customers to operate their own servers.
- FlowChief Secure — Maintenance and Update Contracts: Annual maintenance and software update contracts (FlowChief Secure) providing ongoing support, patches, and version updates.
- Professional Services — Training and Consulting: Revenue from training courses (Engineering Basic, User, Energy Management), online seminars, and custom development/commissioned programming services.
- Leasing / Rental Model: FlowChief offers flexible purchasing and leasing options including the ability to host or use the software as SaaS, providing pricing flexibility for customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | No publicly available pricing tiers; all sales via direct inquiry and custom quotes. |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
FlowChief product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FlowChief sells a 100% web-native (HTML5) automation software platform that consolidates process control (PLS), SCADA, web-based HMI, alarm management, historian, reporting, and energy management into a single modular application. The platform is offered alongside complementary products including the e-Gem energy management system, the FlowChief Connect M2M/IoT remote monitoring solution, the scadaApp mobile application, and Datenlogger devices, delivered via perpetual on-premises license, SaaS subscription, leasing, or hosted deployment to industrial operators and municipal utilities in the DACH region.
Product overview
FlowChief provides a modular automation software platform built on 100% web technology (HTML5). The core FlowChief Plattform encompasses process control system (PLS), SCADA, and web-based HMI capabilities, supplemented by the scadaApp for mobile access and StarterKit packages for rapid deployment. The portfolio extends to specialized solutions including e-Gem for ISO 50001-compliant energy management and carbon footprint tracking, FlowChief Connect for M2M/IoT remote control applications, and autonomous Datenlogger devices. The platform is designed for scalability from compact HMI systems for small biogas plants to full-scale metropolitan water supply monitoring systems, and supports deployment via purchase, leasing, hosting, or SaaS models.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- e-Gem: Energy management software for capturing, monitoring and controlling energy data, suitable for ISO 50001 certification.
- FlowChief Connect
- web.HMI
Products and services
- FlowChief Plattform The central 100% web-based automation software platform unifying process control (PLS), SCADA, and web.HMI capabilities for industrial and municipal infrastructure operators in the DACH region.
- e-Gem Energiemanagement-Software Standalone energy management software for recording, monitoring, and controlling energy consumption; supports ISO 50001 energy audits, peak load optimization, energy planning, and cross-facility energy data management for industrial and municipal customers.
- FlowChief Connect M2M/IoT remote control and monitoring solution based on PLC technology for secure, high-performance monitoring and control of globally distributed plants and machines.
- scadaApp Native mobile application for Apple iOS and Android devices providing remote SCADA access, plant monitoring, and alarm notification for operators on the move.
- FlowChief StarterKit Entry-level package providing immediate access to the FlowChief platform for quick deployment and evaluation of automation and SCADA capabilities for small installations.
- Datenlogger Energy-autonomous data loggers for remote data acquisition from distributed infrastructure, enabling cost-effective monitoring without dedicated hardware infrastructure.
Quantifiable outcome
- SCHOTT AG has used the e-Gem ISO 50001-certified energy management system since 2011 as a central data hub for energy planning, peak load optimization, billing, and technical services.
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use FlowChief
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
FlowChief technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature11 records
FlowChief partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Geal mbH (Certified System Integrator)coreGeal mbH has specialized in automation, visualization, and remote monitoring of water and wastewater plants for over 20 years. The company became a FlowChief certified partner in 2013. Geal provides customized systems for customers and highlights FlowChief's technologically convincing software, simple engineering, and flexible applicability. The company's CEO Dipl.-Ing. Christian Schön provides a testimonial.
- TH Köln — Institut für AutomatisierungstechnikcoreFlowChief cooperates with TH Köln's Institute of Automation Technology in education and research. The university uses FlowChief software in its Process Control Technology Laboratory to train future engineers. Students implemented an intelligent pump management system for the Pulheim wastewater network in close collaboration with FlowChief developers. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Norbert Große (Deputy Institute Director) is the key academic contact.
- TH Nürnberg — Nuremberg Campus of Technology (DATA·e·Pump Project)minorFlowChief participates in the DATA·e·Pump research project with TH Nürnberg, focused on improved process control for pump systems including novel control algorithms, observer algorithms for operating point and characteristic curve estimation, and autotuning functions.
- Umweltcluster Bayern (Bavarian Environmental Cluster)minorFlowChief is a member of the Umweltcluster Bayern, a network of Bavarian environmental businesses, science, municipalities, and municipal operations. The cluster connects companies, R&D representatives, service providers, planners, political organizations, municipalities, and public clients.
- Allianz für Cybersicherheit (German Alliance for Cyber Security)minorFlowChief is a member of the Allianz für Cybersicherheit, founded in 2012 by Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) to strengthen Germany's resilience against cyberattacks.
- Cluster Mechatronik & Automation e.V.minorFlowChief is a member of the Mechatronics & Automation Cluster e.V., a platform for defining and implementing measures that serve the advancement of mechatronics and related fields.
- Automation Valley NordbayernminorFlowChief participates in Automation Valley Nordbayern, a regional Industry 4.0 initiative with approximately 300 member companies and scientific institutions. The cluster employs 40,000 people in northern Bavaria.
- DWA (Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft)minorFlowChief is a member of the DWA, a politically and economically independent association that promotes sustainable water management and R&D. The DWA provides a forum for ideas and supports policy through consultation.
- Elektro Hofmockel GmbH & Co. Elektroanlagen KG (Certified System Integrator)coreIndependent electrical systems company with nearly 100 years of history. The company works with multiple systems in process and control engineering but highlights FlowChief's exceptional practicality: it runs without additional installation on any browser and works with all terminal devices, including mobile via app. CEO Karl Weber is a referenced contact.
- bgu-Umweltschutzanlagen GmbH (Certified System Integrator)corebgu-Umweltschutzanlagen GmbH has been internationally active for nearly 40 years in water protection. Together with FlowChief, bgu developed the bgu-Teleservice, offering municipalities a modern portal solution with visualization, on-call alarm, and norm-compliant CSO basin protocols including DABay interface. Access is via PC or mobile smartphone app.
- Zebotec GmbH (Certified System Integrator — Photovoltaic)coreZebotec GmbH has been internationally successful for over 15 years in PV power plant control and is a certified FlowChief partner. The company provides customers with portal solutions for maximum flexibility and security in capturing PV system data, independent of manufacturer, using FlowChief's cross-industry industrial standard.
- Christian Fink — Head of Product Management (Key Internal Contact)coreChristian Fink is the Leiter Produktmanagement (Head of Product Management) at FlowChief and serves as the primary contact for manufacturers and OEMs evaluating FlowChief for product integration. He can be reached at +49 9129 14722-32, [email protected].
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
FlowChief competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PSI Software (Industrial Software): German industrial software group active in energy network control, metals, and infrastructure. Comparable on geography, vertical focus on critical infrastructure operators in Germany and Central Europe, and similar product scope (control center software, SCADA, energy management).
- COPA-DATA: Austrian-headquartered vendor of the zenon SCADA/HMI platform, similar in size, DACH origin, and product philosophy (energy/process automation software with web-based engineering). Directly competes with FlowChief in mid-market industrial and renewable energy projects.
- KISTERS: German-headquartered vendor of KISTERS energy data management, water management, and environmental monitoring software. Closely comparable to FlowChief on geography, target verticals (water utilities, energy data) and customer profile (DACH municipalities and industrial sites).
- Inductive Automation: U.S. vendor of Ignition SCADA/MES, a web-native (Java/HTML5) platform competing on the same plugin-free architectural premise as FlowChief. Targets industrial automation customers and overlaps in water/wastewater and energy verticals via Ignition Edge and Ignition Cloud.
Broad incumbents
- AVEVA: Industrial software specialist with AVEVA Plant SCADA, Historian, and CONNECT cloud platform after the Schneider/AVEVA convergence. Competes with FlowChief in industrial plants and is increasingly targeting municipal water utilities through digital twin offerings.
- Schneider Electric (EcoStruxure): Global vendor covering water utilities (Aveva-Wirsching / Wonderware heritage) and industrial SCADA under EcoStruxure. Competes with FlowChief across both water/wastewater and renewable-energy projects, often through global framework agreements that exclude small specialists.
- Rockwell Automation (FactoryTalk): North American industrial automation incumbent whose FactoryTalk View / VantagePoint SCADA platforms see growing deployment in European plants. Competes with FlowChief in industrial plant/machine builder accounts and OEMs.
- ABB Process Automation (System 800xA): Global process automation leader with the System 800xA SCADA/DCS platform and ABB Ability industrial software portfolio. Major competitor for water/wastewater and renewable-energy SCADA opportunities against FlowChief.
- Siemens Digital Industries (SIMATIC/PCS 7): The dominant industrial automation incumbent in Europe, offering SCADA/PCS 7/WinCC, extensive water industry solutions, and a global direct sales channel. Competes with FlowChief in larger municipal and industrial SCADA procurements but at very different scale and breadth.
- Honeywell Process Solutions (Experion): Global DCS/SCADA incumbent serving process industries (water, chemicals, energy). The Experion platform competes for enterprise-level process control tenders where FlowChief participates as a niche specialist.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FlowChief social profiles
Digital presenceFlowChief compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
FlowChief financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FlowChief leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
FlowChief funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FlowChief 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 FlowChief
What does FlowChief do?
FlowChief sells a 100% web-native (HTML5) automation software platform that consolidates process control (PLS), SCADA, web-based HMI, alarm management, historian, reporting, and energy management into a single modular application. The platform is offered alongside complementary products including the e-Gem energy management system, the FlowChief Connect M2M/IoT remote monitoring solution, the scadaApp mobile application, and Datenlogger devices, delivered via perpetual on-premises license, SaaS subscription, leasing, or hosted deployment to industrial operators and municipal utilities in the DACH region.
Is FlowChief a public or private company?
FlowChief is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was FlowChief founded?
FlowChief was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is FlowChief based?
FlowChief is headquartered in Wendelstein, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does FlowChief make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Software Licensing (On-Premises) is the primary driver. The others are software-as-a-Service (SaaS), flowChief Secure — Maintenance and Update Contracts, professional Services — Training and Consulting and leasing / Rental Model.
Who are FlowChief's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PSI Software (Industrial Software), COPA-DATA, KISTERS and Inductive Automation. Broad incumbents are AVEVA, Schneider Electric (EcoStruxure), Rockwell Automation (FactoryTalk), ABB Process Automation (System 800xA), Siemens Digital Industries (SIMATIC/PCS 7) and Honeywell Process Solutions (Experion).
Does FlowChief have an API?
No public API is recorded for FlowChief.
What industry is FlowChief in?
FlowChief's product category is Industrial Automation Software (SCADA / Process Control). Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAEAFAC, Instrumentation, Controls & Automation (DCS/PLC/SCADA, SIS, Metering), with a secondary code of EUAHAIAL, EMS Digitalization (Software Selection, Configuration & Workflow Automation). Its NAICS code is 5415 and its SIC code is 3822.