What 4flow Se does

4flow SE, headquartered in Berlin and founded in 2000, is a privately held supply chain technology and services firm operating three integrated businesses: supply chain strategy and technology consulting, AI-native optimization software (centered on the optaire platform, with 4flow vista for network design and 4flow iTMS for transportation management as complementary products), and fourth-party logistics (4PL) managed services. The optaire platform is modular and AI-native by design, organized into four modules — Logistics, Risk and Disruptions, Network, and AI Fabric — that deploy AI agents to continuously sense operational changes, analyze scenarios, and trigger optimized actions across network design, transportation, inventory positioning, and disruption response.

4flow generates revenue through a hybrid commercial model: professional services engagements (supply chain strategy, network design, sustainability, SAP Digital Supply Chain and Kinaxis Maestro implementations), recurring software subscriptions for optaire and ancillary tools, and multi-year 4PL managed services contracts that include control-tower orchestration and ongoing network optimization. Pricing is custom-quoted per engagement, with annual billing on the software side; no public list pricing is disclosed. Distribution is built on direct enterprise sales, consulting-led engagement models (where strategy and implementation work serves as the entry point that pulls platform adoption forward), and core technology partnerships with SAP and Kinaxis.

The company serves large enterprise manufacturers and logistics service providers across at least ten verticals — including automotive (BMW, Bosch, Volkswagen, Porsche), life sciences (Roche, Novartis, Bayer, BD), consumer goods and retail (Mars, HelloFresh, Unilever, Puma, eBay), semiconductors and high-tech (Infineon, Siemens), postal and logistics (Austrian Post), chemicals (BASF), aerospace (Airbus), and emerging segments such as defense and renewable energy. 4flow operates from over 20 locations spanning North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, with named hubs including Berlin (HQ), Shanghai (supporting Infineon), Verden, and operations in Bulgaria and Turkey (supporting Austrian Post's parcel network).

Name

4flow Se

Legal name

4flow SE

Website

https://4flow.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Short description

4flow SE, headquartered in Berlin, provides AI-native supply chain optimization software (optaire), network design and transportation management tools, and fourth-party logistics managed services. It serves global enterprise manufacturers and logistics providers across automotive, pharmaceutical, consumer goods, semiconductors, and postal sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Supply Chain Consulting and Logistics Software

NAICS

Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services (541614), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

4PL / Lead Logistics Provider (LLP) & Control Tower (TLAIABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Supply Chain Orchestration & Network Design (Multi-Carrier, Multi-Node) (TLAIABAB), Exception Management, Track & Trace & Visibility Operations (SLA/KPI Governance) (TLAIABAF), Tower-by-Mode Managed Transportation (Air/Ocean/Rail/Truck Control Towers) (TLAIABAC), Carrier Procurement, Tendering & Freight Audit/Pay (FAP) Management (TLAIABAE)

Keywords

• Supply chain consulting
• Logistics optimization software
• Fourth-party logistics services
• Transportation management systems
• Supply chain network design

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin-müggelheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Supply Chain Consulting: Strategy, planning, and technology implementation consulting services including supply chain strategy, network design, digital transformation, SAP implementation, and Kinaxis implementation.
2. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: AI-native optaire platform and specialized software including TMS, network design software, and Kinaxis applications. Modular licensing allows customers to start with specific modules.
3. 4PL Managed Services: Fourth-party logistics services including supply chain orchestration, control tower operations, and ongoing network optimization. Includes 4PL services providing end-to-end visibility, governance, and optimization across logistics networks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

4flow SE provides supply chain consulting, AI-native optimization software, and managed fourth-party logistics (4PL) services to enterprise clients. Its core product, optaire by 4flow, is a modular AI-native platform connecting network design, logistics execution, and risk management, supported by specialized software (4flow vista, 4flow iTMS) and consulting-led technology implementations for SAP and Kinaxis. The company also delivers ongoing managed 4PL services including supply chain orchestration, control tower operations, and data solutions.

Product overview

4flow SE offers a modular, AI-native platform called optaire by 4flow for end-to-end supply chain and logistics optimization. The platform consists of four integrated modules: Logistics, Risk and Disruptions, Network, and AI Fabric. Supporting the platform, 4flow provides specialized software including 4flow vista (network design software), 4flow iTMS (integrated Transportation Management System), and Kinaxis Transportation Load Optimizer integration. The company also offers consulting services for supply chain strategy, network design, sustainability, and technology implementation (SAP, Kinaxis), as well as managed 4PL services including supply chain orchestration, control tower operations, and data solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• optaire by 4flow: Modular, AI-native platform for end-to-end supply chain and logistics optimization connecting network, logistics and risk management.
• 4flow vista

Products and services

• optaire by 4flow Modular, AI-native platform for end-to-end supply chain and logistics optimization, connecting network, logistics and risk management and supporting execution in real time. Sold to enterprise clients as a software subscription.
• 4flow vista Supply chain network design software for transportation network optimization, scenario simulation, and redesign of cost-efficient network structures. Used by clients such as Austrian Post across Central Eastern Europe and Turkey.
• 4flow iTMS Integrated Transportation Management System for global planning and operations, providing continuous optimization of transportation and routes with EDI integration and ERP interface capabilities. Implemented for clients such as Bosch with over 10% transportation cost savings across 7 plants and 1,200 lanes in Europe and China.
• Kinaxis Transportation Load Optimizer (TLO) Transportation planning application embedded in Kinaxis Maestro for optimizing transportation loads, implemented by 4flow as a certified Kinaxis partner. Deployed for BAT with 3 months advance planning visibility.
• 4flow 4PL Services Fourth-party logistics managed services providing supply chain orchestration and control tower capabilities to enterprise clients globally. Awarded 2025 Gartner Leader status for 4PL, furthest in Completeness of Vision.
• Supply Chain Orchestration Services End-to-end orchestration services for logistics networks providing visibility, governance, and optimization. Delivered as managed engagements to enterprise clients.
• Data Solutions Data-driven supply chain solutions for planning and optimization, supporting enterprise clients with data management and analytical services.
• SAP Digital Supply Chain Implementation Services Consulting and implementation services for SAP Digital Supply Chain solutions, delivered as an SAP partner with optaire platform integration support for SAP S/4HANA environments.
• Kinaxis Maestro Implementation Services Certified partner implementation services for the Kinaxis Maestro supply chain planning platform, supporting global rollouts such as the BAT engagement.
• Data-Driven Supply Chain Consulting Consulting services for transforming supply chains through data-driven approaches and analytics.
• Supply Chain Strategy Consulting Strategic consulting for supply chain transformation and digital strategy across strategy development, digital transformation, and supply chain execution topics.
• Network Design Consulting Supply chain network design and optimization consulting services, including scenario modeling and footprint design.
• Sustainability Consulting Sustainability-focused supply chain consulting services covering carbon reduction and sustainable logistics strategy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20% cost reduction in supply chain networks
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KinaxiscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for Kinaxis Maestro (RapidResponse) and Kinaxis Transportation Load Optimizer (TLO). 4flow is a certified implementation partner providing Kinaxis application implementation services. 4flow has implemented Kinaxis solutions for clients including BAT and supports global roll-outs.
• SAPcoreTechnology or IntegrationSAP partnership for SAP Digital Supply Chain implementation services. 4flow provides SAP implementation consulting for supply chain transformations. SAP S/4HANA integration supported by optaire platform.
• Meta Platforms (Facebook)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFacebook fan page for recruitment and employer branding. Joint controllership agreement in place for Facebook Insights data.
• LinkedInminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany profile on LinkedIn. Used for company page presence and lead generation via LinkedIn advertising and outreach.
• New Work SE (XING)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany profile on XING German professional network.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Accenture (Supply Chain & Operations practice): Accenture's large supply chain and operations consulting practice competes for the same transformation engagements as 4flow's consulting arm, and Accenture is also a major Kinaxis/SAP implementation partner directly competing with 4flow's technology implementation services.
• Manhattan Associates: Manhattan Associates provides supply chain, inventory, transportation, and warehouse management software to large enterprises; its TMS and SCM products overlap with 4flow iTMS and the optaire logistics module.
• Blue Yonder: Blue Yonder (formerly JDA, owned by Panasonic) is a large incumbent in supply chain planning, execution, and transportation management; its TMS, SCP, and Luminate platform overlap with 4flow iTMS and optaire's optimization and risk features.
• Kinaxis: Kinaxis is a public supply chain planning platform vendor (Maestro / RapidResponse) and a 4flow strategic technology partner; its concurrent scheduling and planning capabilities overlap with optaire's planning, risk, and TLO modules, and Kinaxis also competes for implementation dollars.
• Körber Supply Chain: Körber offers a broad supply chain software portfolio (WMS, TMS, voice, robotics) plus consulting services; comparable to 4flow's combination of supply chain software and consulting/managing of customer operations.

Direct peers

• E2open: E2open offers a multi-tier supply chain orchestration and control tower platform with strong transport management overlap, competing directly against optaire's orchestration, risk, and logistics modules for global enterprise deals.
• o9 Solutions: o9 provides an AI-powered integrated business planning platform (planning, forecasting, supply chain) that directly overlaps with optaire's network, logistics, and risk modules; both target large global manufacturers with an enterprise field sales motion.
• GEP: GEP combines supply chain consulting, procurement software, and managed services for enterprises, closely mirroring 4flow's three-pillar model of consulting + platform + managed services. It is the most direct analog as a privately held, advisor-led supply chain SaaS+services player.

Emerging players

• ToolsGroup: ToolsGroup provides AI-driven supply chain planning and inventory optimization software; it overlaps with the optaire Network and Logistics modules and competes for similar manufacturing/CPG/logistics clients.

Others

• LLamasoft (now part of o9 Solutions) / Coupa / Slalom Supply Chain: Coupa (formerly including the LLamasoft network design franchise) provides supply chain design and procurement technology adjacencies to optaire/4flow vista; included as a thematic adjacency rather than a direct sales competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/4flowglobalcareers
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/4flow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 4flow Se