What QPlaner does

QPlaner is an AI-powered workforce management SaaS platform developed and operated by Quintessence Optimization GmbH, a privately held German limited liability company headquartered in Munich at Beblostraße 16, 81677 München. The platform automates personnel deployment planning using proprietary optimization algorithms based on mixed-integer programming, linear integer programming, and constraint programming. These algorithms process over two million variables simultaneously — specifically 2,051,720 for an average week of 50 flexible employees across 18 task fields — to generate legally and operationally compliant shift, service, and duty plans.

The product is delivered as a modular web-based suite comprising core QPlaner scheduling plus modules for AI-driven shift planning (Schichtplanung), AI-driven service planning for fully flexible working hours (Dienstplanung), time management with automatic overtime/undertime calculation (Zeitwirtschaft / QZeit), employee self-service via a mobile application (Mitarbeiter-App / QApp / QConnect), integrated production and machine planning (Produktionsplan), and appointment booking (Terminbuch). Supporting sub-brands QTerminal (online time-tracking terminal) and QFlex (15-minute interval calculation) extend the surface further. The platform holds ISO 27001:2022 certification, is hosted exclusively in Germany, and guarantees a minimum 99% annual availability.

QPlaner monetizes through individually quoted SaaS subscriptions on 1-3 year contracts with monthly or annual billing, supplemented by fee-based setup support and on-site consulting. Pricing is custom-priced based on company size, modules selected, and contract length, with no public price list. The go-to-market combines a consultation-first enterprise sales motion (free 30-45 minute demo followed by a pilot phase) with a 14-day self-serve free trial for lower-friction mid-market entry. Distribution is direct via qplaner.de, focused on the DACH region, and targets organizations with 50 or more employees across fitness and health studios, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and service companies. The company is led by three managing directors — Philipp Schmette, Hans Kirchner, and Margerita Sophie Pfab — and shows no disclosed external funding.

Name

QPlaner

Legal name

Quintessence Optimization GmbH

Website

https://qplaner.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

QPlaner is an AI-powered workforce management SaaS platform from Munich-based Quintessence Optimization GmbH that automates shift scheduling, time tracking, and production planning for mid-market and enterprise customers with 50+ employees primarily in the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

München

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. SaaS Subscription - Core Modules: Web-based workforce management software offered as Software as a Service. Core modules include KI-Schichtplanung (AI Shift Planning), KI-Dienstplanung (AI Service Scheduling), Zeitwirtschaft (Time Management), Produktionsplan (Production Planning), Terminbuch (Appointment Booking), and Mitarbeiter-App (Employee App). Pricing is individualized based on company size and selected modules, with monthly or annual payment options and contract durations of 1-3 years.
2. Support and Consulting Services: Additional paid services including comprehensive and fee-based support packages during setup phase, and physical on-site consulting services in personnel questions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

QPlaner is a web-based AI-powered workforce management SaaS platform that automates personnel deployment planning. The software calculates optimized shift and service schedules by simultaneously considering employee qualifications, contracts, working-time preferences, labor-law constraints, company policies, and operational demand. Its proprietary optimization engine evaluates over 2 million variables to generate legally compliant, fair, and demand-aligned work plans for teams of 50+ employees.

Product overview

QPlaner is an innovative Workforce Management SaaS platform operated by Quintessence Optimization GmbH, based in Munich, Germany. The platform offers a modular architecture centered on AI-powered personnel deployment planning. The core QPlaner platform provides automated optimization of employee scheduling through proprietary algorithms processing millions of variables. Key integrated modules include: KI-gestützte Schichtplanung (AI Shift Planning) for traditional shift-based systems, KI-gestützte Dienstplanung (AI Service Planning) for fully flexible working hours without shift constraints, Zeitwirtschaft (Time Management) for digital time tracking with automatic overtime calculations, Mitarbeiter-App/QApp (Employee App) for mobile-based request management and communication, Produktionsplan (Production Planning) for integrated production and machine optimization, and Terminbuch (Appointment Booking) for synchronized appointment coordination. All modules share a common optimization engine and can be used together as a comprehensive workforce management solution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• QPlaner: AI-powered workforce management software for personnel deployment planning and scheduling
• QZeit
• QConnect
• QTerminal
• QFlex
• QApp (Mitarbeiter-App)

Products and services

• QPlaner Workforce Management Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• Creates optimized schedules considering over 2,051,720 variables for 50 employees with 18 task fields in a single calculation
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature7 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Personio: Personio is a Munich-based all-in-one HR SaaS for SMB and mid-market, with shift planning, time tracking, and absence management. Comparable to QPlaner in German home market, mid-market target, and overlapping WFM feature set, though Personio is broader (full HRIS).
• Quinyx: Quinyx is a Sweden-based AI-driven workforce management SaaS targeting enterprise retail, hospitality, and healthcare. Closely comparable in European focus, AI-scheduling differentiation, and vertical specialization strategy.
• Planday: Planday (owned by Workfeed/Visma) is a Denmark-based shift planning SaaS for hourly workforces in retail, hospitality, and healthcare. Closely comparable to QPlaner in product surface area, European footprint, and target verticals like retail and fitness.
• When I Work: When I Work is a US-based employee scheduling and time tracking platform for hourly workforces. Comparable in shift planning, employee app, and SMB-to-mid-market positioning.
• Deputy: Deputy is an Australia-born workforce management platform offering AI-powered scheduling, time tracking, and workforce compliance. Comparable to QPlaner across the WFM feature set and the AI-assisted scheduling positioning.
• Humanity: Humanity is a US-based employee scheduling and workforce management platform. Comparable to QPlaner in shift planning, time tracking, and employee self-service features targeting shift-based industries.
• Shiftbase: Shiftbase is a Netherlands-based shift planning and workforce management SaaS targeting SMB and mid-market employers. Highly comparable to QPlaner in core functionality (shift scheduling, time tracking, employee app) and European mid-market focus.

Broad incumbents

• Workday: Workday is a leading cloud HCM and workforce management platform for large enterprises. Overlaps with QPlaner's scheduling and time management modules but competes in a much broader enterprise HCM category.
• UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group): UKG is the largest dedicated WFM vendor globally, formed from the merger of Ultimate Software and Kronos. Overlaps with QPlaner across shift scheduling, time tracking, and labor compliance, but serves much larger enterprises with a much broader portfolio.
• SAP SuccessFactors: SAP SuccessFactors is a global enterprise HCM suite with workforce scheduling and time management modules. Comparable to QPlaner's WFM features but embedded in a much broader enterprise suite and typically sold to large multinationals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/quintessence-optimization-gmbh
• Facebookfacebook.com/QPlaner

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about QPlaner