ABZ
ABZ, Inc., founded in 1986, provides fluid flow analysis software (Design Flow Solutions) and specialized engineering consulting for the commercial nuclear power industry, process industries, utilities, and federal/state government clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersChantilly, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ABZ does
ABZ, Inc. is a privately held engineering software and consulting firm founded in 1986 and headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, with additional offices in Philadelphia, Dover, Rockaway, and Wells. The company serves the commercial nuclear power industry, engineering and process industries, energy and utilities, and federal/state government clients. Its service portfolio spans decommissioning consulting, process system analysis, litigation support, project controls, engineering services (including 2D/3D CAD), management consulting, infrastructure and redevelopment consulting, compliance services, and advanced reactor consultancy. The company holds a GSA contract enabling federal procurement access and has supported regulatory proceedings including the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment.
The firm's technology core is Design Flow Solutions (DFS), a Windows desktop fluid flow analysis suite built on Darcy-Weisbach and Bernoulli equations. The suite comprises DF DesigNet (network analysis supporting up to 9,000 branches and 1,000 tees, both gas and liquid) and DF Branch (single-pipeline analysis), distinguished by automatic energy conservation across tees/reducers/enlargers and true compressible flow treatment. Specialized tools include DECAS (Decommissioning Cost Analysis System) and SACAS (Severe Accident Cost Analysis System, benchmarked to TMI-2 accident costs) for utility risk and rate-hearing work. The software is sold on perpetual licenses ($550–$1,300 single-user; LAN up to $3,800 for 15 users) with annual maintenance subscriptions ($100–$500/year US), supplemented by optional data libraries and a TP-410 reference book. An installed base of over 22,000 working engineers across Fortune 500 firms and 30+ nuclear plants produces a recurring maintenance and consulting tail.
The business model combines one-time software licensing with recurring maintenance subscriptions and a significant professional services tail covering decommissioning cost estimates, independent fluid flow analyses, expert-witness testimony, and government advisory work. Go-to-market is direct via the corporate website with downloadable trials, PDF order forms, and senior-staff-led client engagement. DFS Version 4.19 is the current release (since 2018), with Version 5 in development. Owner-Managing Directors include Nicholas J. Capik, Michael A. Zurlo, Philip O. Moor, and David M. Tondi, supported by founding Executive Consultant Warren K. Brewer — a founder/partner-led ownership structure typical of established specialty engineering consultancies.
ABZ firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ABZ
- Legal name
- ABZ, Incorporated
- Website
- https://abzinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ABZ, Inc., founded in 1986, provides fluid flow analysis software (Design Flow Solutions) and specialized engineering consulting for the commercial nuclear power industry, process industries, utilities, and federal/state government clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ABZ industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Engineering Consulting Services
- NAICS
- Engineering Services (541330), Engineering Services (54133), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Engineering design services (line design, substation design, civil/structural) (EUADAKAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- T&D project/program management & owner’s engineering (EPCM/PMC) (EUADAKAF), LNG EPC, Commissioning & Project Development (Engineering, Construction, Permitting) (EUALAFAI)
Keywords
Where ABZ is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chantilly
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
ABZ business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licensing (Design Flow Solutions): Sale of Design Flow Solutions fluid flow software including DesigNet and Branch versions. Revenue from single-user licenses, LAN multi-user licenses, and version upgrades. Also includes optional data libraries and the TP-410 reference book.
- Software Maintenance Agreements: Annual maintenance agreements providing email notifications of software updates, priority technical support, and reduced pricing on future version upgrades. Single-user and LAN versions available.
- Consulting Services - Fluid Flow Analysis: Consulting to assist clients in solving complex fluid flow problems. Services include independent calculation checks and full analysis. Offered at fixed price or time and material.
- Decommissioning Consulting Services: Comprehensive decommissioning support including planning, cost estimating, project oversight, peer reviews, audits, due diligence, regulatory compliance, and site closure services for nuclear facilities.
- Litigation Support Services: Technical analysis and expert witness services for litigation, arbitration, and mediation. Includes discovery assistance, demonstrative exhibits, and testimony preparation.
- Management Consulting: Strategic planning, project management, organizational analysis, contract dispute resolution, safety reviews, and regulatory compliance consulting for power industry clients.
- Government Contract Services: Services to federal and state government clients under GSA contracts and direct procurement. Includes policy development, strategic planning, program management, regulatory review, and technical consulting.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Branch Version 4 Single User |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DesignNet Version 4 Single User |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | LAN Multi-User Licenses (DesignNet) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | LAN Multi-User Licenses (Branch) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Data Libraries |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Publications |
| Subscription | Annual | Single-User Annual Maintenance |
| Subscription | Annual | LAN Annual Maintenance |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
ABZ product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ABZ, Inc. develops and sells the Design Flow Solutions (DFS) fluid flow analysis software suite (DF DesigNet and DF Branch) and the DECAS and SACAS nuclear cost analysis tools, and delivers specialized engineering and consulting services for the power, nuclear, and infrastructure industries. Offerings span process system analysis, decommissioning planning, litigation support, project controls, management consulting, infrastructure and redevelopment consulting, and government services via GSA contract.
Product overview
ABZ, Inc. is a consulting and software company founded in 1986 that offers a portfolio of specialized products and services primarily serving the nuclear power and infrastructure industries. The core software product is Design Flow Solutions (DFS), a comprehensive fluid flow analysis software suite comprising DF DesigNet V4 (pipe network analysis for up to 9,000 branches and 1,000 tees) and DF Branch V4 (single pipeline analysis), both supporting liquid and gas analysis. Supporting the software are specialized PC-based tools: DECAS (Decommissioning Cost Analysis System) for nuclear facility decommissioning cost estimation, and SACAS (Severe Accident Cost Analysis System) for risk management and insurance analysis. Beyond software, ABZ provides extensive consulting services including process system analysis, litigation support, engineering services (2D/3D CAD/design drawing), decommissioning consulting, management consulting, infrastructure consulting, and government services through GSA contract. The company serves government agencies, utilities, and infrastructure industries with a combined offering of specialized engineering software and professional consulting services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Design Flow Solutions™: Fluid flow software suite providing computer tools to solve fluid flow problems. Includes DF DesigNet® V4 (pipe network analysis for gas and liquid) and DF Branch® V4 (single pipeline analysis).
- Crane Companion
- DECAS
- SACAS
Products and services
- Design Flow Solutions (DFS) Fluid flow analysis software suite providing engineers with computer tools to solve fluid flow problems for liquids and gases in complex piping systems. Sold to engineering professionals across water, aerospace, automotive, power generation, oil & gas, chemical, marine, and food processing industries.
- DF DesigNet V4
Quantifiable outcome
- Supports networks with up to 9000 branches and 1000 tees
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ABZ
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ABZ technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
ABZ partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Litcon GroupminorLitcon Group is listed as an alliance partner on ABZ's website. The partnership combines resources and specific expertise to address client needs in areas including litigation support and technical consulting. ABZ states they are proud to partner with industry leaders that share the same work ethic, values, and common goals in satisfying client needs.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ABZ competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sunrise Solutions (PIPE-FLO): Sunrise Solutions' PIPE-FLO and PIPE-FLO Professional are pipe system design and analysis tools for compressible and incompressible flow — the closest direct functional competitor to DF DesigNet for process and utility piping networks.
- Holtec International: Holtec International operates a major nuclear decommissioning and used fuel management business (HI-STORMS, Holtec Decommissioning International), directly competing with ABZ for decommissioning planning, cost estimation, and spent fuel consulting work.
- Bentley Systems: Bentley's OpenFlows / WaterGEMS / Hammer product line offers network-level fluid flow analysis for water, steam, and gas systems — directly comparable to ABZ's Design Flow Solutions in target use case (pipe network modeling) and target customer (engineering consultants and utilities).
- EnergySolutions: EnergySolutions is a leading U.S. nuclear decommissioning and waste management services provider. It is the most direct competitive peer to ABZ's Decommissioning Consulting practice and the user base of the DECAS tool.
- Hexagon (Intergraph CADWorx & CAESAR II): Hexagon's CADWorx, CAESAR II, and PV Elite products address pipe stress, pipe routing, and pressure vessel analysis used by the same process and power engineering customer base that ABZ serves with Design Flow Solutions.
Broad incumbents
- AVEVA (Schneider Electric): AVEVA's plant design (E3D, PDMS) and process simulation portfolio (AVEVA PRO/II, Dynamic Simulation) targets the same process industries and power plant engineering workflows that ABZ supports with DFS and consulting.
- Siemens (Simcenter, PIPE-FLO distribution history): Siemens' Simcenter portfolio (including Flomaster for pipe network flow) and broader digital industries software compete with DFS in industrial fluid flow applications, particularly within power generation and process plant customers.
- Crane Co. (Crane Technical Paper 410): Crane Co. publishes the reference Technical Paper 410 ("TP-410") that ABZ resells and historically built its "Crane Companion" product around. Crane is a broad industrial incumbent in fluid handling whose engineering reference work underpins much of the fluid-flow calculation market ABZ serves.
- Tetra Tech: Tetra Tech is a large engineering and consulting firm (and an alumnus employer of ABZ Managing Director Philip O. Moor) providing water, environmental, and energy engineering services — broadly comparable to ABZ's process and infrastructure consulting practices at much larger scale.
- Ansys: Ansys Fluent and Ansys System Coupling are CFD and multiphysics simulation platforms used by the same aerospace, energy, and process engineering customers that use Design Flow Solutions — a broad incumbent overlapping with ABZ at high-fidelity flow analysis.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ABZ social profiles
Digital presenceABZ financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ABZ leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
ABZ funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ABZ 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 ABZ
What does ABZ do?
ABZ, Inc. develops and sells the Design Flow Solutions (DFS) fluid flow analysis software suite (DF DesigNet and DF Branch) and the DECAS and SACAS nuclear cost analysis tools, and delivers specialized engineering and consulting services for the power, nuclear, and infrastructure industries. Offerings span process system analysis, decommissioning planning, litigation support, project controls, management consulting, infrastructure and redevelopment consulting, and government services via GSA contract.
Is ABZ a public or private company?
ABZ is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was ABZ founded?
ABZ was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ABZ based?
ABZ is headquartered in Chantilly, United States, in the North America region.
How does ABZ make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Software Licensing (Design Flow Solutions) is the primary driver. The others are software Maintenance Agreements, consulting Services - Fluid Flow Analysis, decommissioning Consulting Services, litigation Support Services, management Consulting and government Contract Services.
Who are ABZ's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sunrise Solutions (PIPE-FLO), Holtec International, Bentley Systems, EnergySolutions and Hexagon (Intergraph CADWorx & CAESAR II). Broad incumbents are AVEVA (Schneider Electric), Siemens (Simcenter, PIPE-FLO distribution history), Crane Co. (Crane Technical Paper 410), Tetra Tech and Ansys.
Does ABZ have an API?
No public API is recorded for ABZ.
What industry is ABZ in?
ABZ's product category is Engineering Consulting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADAKAG, Engineering design services (line design, substation design, civil/structural), with a secondary code of EUADAKAF, T&D project/program management & owner’s engineering (EPCM/PMC). Its NAICS code is 541330 and its SIC code is 8711.