optimization software Archives

Optimization Software Implemented

Posted on 13 February, 202429 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Inform, the Aachen, Germany-based optimization specialist, is expanding its business relationship with AUTO1 Group, a digital automotive platform for buying and selling used cars. Following a pilot of INFORM’s vehicle Yard Management System (YMS) in 2022, AUTO1 Group and INFORM expanded the solution to a total of ten locations throughout Europe by the end of 2023. The system supports AUTO1 Group by providing end-to-end transparency and more efficient processes in the parking areas of the production centers. In addition, in 2023 AUTO1 Group and INFORM turned their focus from the optimization of parking areas to the optimization of work flows within the production centers.

AUTO1 Group offers consumers and professional car dealers across continental Europe a fast and easy way to buy and sell cars. AUTO1 Group has created a strong European production footprint with ten internal facilities to refurbish used cars for its Retail brand Autohero, the leading online shop for used cars for consumers in Europe. Internalizing the production of used cars allows Autohero to fully control each step of the process, including quality control, reconditioning, cleaning, as well as capturing photos and videos to ensure excellent car quality. AUTO1 Group currently has an internal production capacity of up to 179,900 vehicles per year at full capacity at their production centers across Europe.

Working with INFORM has been a success, according to Karol Niznik, Vice President Logistics & Production of AUTO1 Group: “The Yard Management Software has helped to improve our processes, giving us transparency of all vehicles at our sites at all times. It is therefore only logical to take the next step with INFORM. We expect similar improvements in the production centers by using the Workshop Optimization System.”

The process of refurbishing used cars is particularly challenging as a high variety of different makes and models from different build years goes through the process. Each car brings a high level of complexity to the production center in terms of resources required, spare parts, and scheduling. As a result, it is a complex task to estimate how much time will be needed to repair a specific vehicle at a given time, and adjustments to the schedule are inevitable. INFORM’s Workshop Optimization Software is designed to help with that. “With our Workshop Optimization Software, it is made clear who is working on what and at which workstation. The goal of the software is to automatically adjust the optimized schedule if any changes need to be made in the refurbishment process,” explains Hartmut Haubrich, Director of Vehicle Logistics at INFORM.

According to Haubrich, completed projects with other partners show up to 20 per cent higher productivity in the workshop. “We’re constantly working on optimizing our processes in the production centers in order to prepare vehicles in the most efficient way, which is essential for high customer satisfaction,” says David Len, Director Production Europe of AUTO1 Group.

A special feature of the INFORM system are mathematical algorithms based on operations research and artificial intelligence. They can calculate processes in real time, taking into account company-specific planning parameters, and automatically assign tasks to suitable resources.

Brita Optimizing Supply Chain Process with Kinaxis

Posted on 20 November, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

BRITA SE, a German water filtration company, has selected Kinaxis® Inc. (TSX: KXS), a leading supply chain management platform, to bring concurrent planning to its supply chain. Founded in 1966, BRITA SE invented the household water filter jug and now develops, produces, and distributes a wide range of water products for both private and commercial uses.

Recently, the company experienced significant growth, which added pressure to its demand planning and operations. With Kinaxis, BRITA SE will achieve end-to-end transparency into the entire supply chain and improved demand planning capabilities to adapt and respond to any demand changes, faster and with more accuracy.

“BRITA has continued to grow, both in our number of business segments as well as our geographical reach, so being able to understand how disruption in one area could affect the entirety of our supply chain immediately is invaluable,” said Oliver Schilling, Group Director Supply Chain Management at BRITA SE. “We’re committed to the highest standards of customer service and to our growing business, with the help of both Kinaxis and 4flow.”

With RapidResponse® BRITA SE will be able to run multiple scenarios simultaneously, giving its planners the flexibility to react to changes in demand and market volatility. Having these insights will allow BRITA to make the smartest decisions for its supply chain, faster.

“Supply chains, at their core, exist to serve humanity. BRITA provides people all around the world with filtration products providing their customers with filtered water, reducing the need for plastic water bottles,” said Claire Rychlewski, executive vice president of global field sales at Kinaxis. “We’re excited to help BRITA transform their supply chain and find resiliency, and to help them better serve humanity.”

For the implementation of RapidResponse, BRITA SE will work with 4flow, a global leader in supply chain optimization services and partner of Kinaxis to support the digitization of the supply chain.
“With our deep understanding of global supply chains and the associated IT infrastructures, we are able to support customers in partnership with Kinaxis, accelerate decision-making and break down silos,” said Dr. Marc Schleyer, Partner at 4flow and Head of Digital Practice. “We’re excited to help BRITA with a successful implementation and ensure a sustainable transformation of supply chain operations.”

Optimize Compound, Workshop Vehicle Logistics

Posted on 9 October, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

D’Ieteren Automotive, the official distributor of Volkswagen Group brands in Belgium, has selected INFORM, a global leader in optimization software, to provide a comprehensive solution for vehicle logistics and compound management. This collaboration aims to replace D’Ieteren’s former system with INFORM’s state-of-the-art software, enhancing efficiency and transparency across all vehicle logistics processes including Workshop and PDI.

With a market share of 22.5% and over 1.2 million vehicles on the road, D’Ieteren Automotive is a significant player in the Belgian automotive industry. The company manages a robust network of independent dealers across the country and offers a wide range of services, including maintenance, financing, leasing, and used vehicle sales.

The project’s goal is to implement INFORM’s software suite, designed specifically for the complexities of the vehicle logistics sector. The system, based on Artificial Intelligence and Operations Research, will cover yard and workshop operations at the compound in Kortenberg, near Bruxelles airport. It will provide comprehensive capabilities for optimized parking, real-time work order assignment as well as automatic workshop activity scheduling and efficient execution. All processes will be highly automized and improved by using the proven INFORM algorithms. With the new system and central data management in place, D’Ieteren Automotive will be able to control all its vehicle processes more efficiently at their compound.

“D’Ieteren Automotive is committed to providing fluid and sustainable mobility solutions to our customers,” said Christian Quaedpeerds, Automotive Logistics Manager for D’Ieteren Automotive. “By partnering with INFORM, we aim to leverage their expertise in digital decision-making and AI to enhance our vehicle logistics processes and additional services, ultimately delivering better service to our customers.”

The new system will offer a range of benefits, including higher punctuality, increased efficiency, shorter delivery and processing times, higher customer satisfaction, and future-proof company structures. The solution is expected to go live in 2024.

“We are excited to embark on this journey with D’Ieteren Automotive,” said Hartmut Haubrich, Director Vehicle Logistics at INFORM. “Our solution is designed to handle the complexities of the Vehicle Logistics industry, and we are confident that it will bring significant benefits to D’Ieteren Automotive. We look forward to driving the digitalization of their logistics processes and support D’Ieteren on their journey as the mobility provider for Belgium.”

This partnership marks another milestone in INFORM’s mission to supplement classic IT systems and increase the profitability and resilience of many companies. With over 1,000 software engineers, data analysts, and consultants supporting more than 1,000 customers worldwide, INFORM continues to lead the expansion of digital decision-making through AI applications in vehicle logistics and many other sectors.

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