OptaZEN · Optimize and keep calm
Plans that work.
We plan shifts, routes and production so that rules are kept, deadlines are met and costs go down.
Even when everything changes in the morning.
WHAT WE DO
OUR SOLUTIONS
We solve complex planning problems in production, logistics and service operations.
For us, PlanningAI means mathematical optimization: plans are computed from your rules and goals, and every decision stays traceable. We build on Timefold, a planning platform with an open-source core, an Enterprise Edition for production use and ready-made planning models as a service. OptaZEN is an official Timefold partner.
PLANNING EXAMPLES IN 3D
Employee Rostering
Automated shift planning in 15-minute steps, compliant with labour rules and sized for peak demand
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Production Planning
Fine-grained scheduling for manufacturing and process industry: OEE optimization, batch tracking, energy-aware scheduling and ERP integration
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Field Service Planning
Route optimization and technician dispatch: SLA management, real-time replanning and customer communication
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Vehicle Routing
Optimize pickup & delivery routes with time windows, capacity, and driver constraints
Maintenance Scheduling
Plan preventive and corrective maintenance to maximize asset uptime and minimize disruption
Location Optimization
Pick the best geographical locations for new stores, distribution centers, or telco masts
Timetabling
Schedule rooms, resources, and sessions, from university courses to conference agendas
Task & Project Scheduling
Assign tasks with dependencies and skill requirements to resources while meeting deadlines and balancing workloads
Warehouse Optimization
Optimize pick paths, slot assignment, and inventory placement for faster throughput
Energy-Aware Production
Schedule energy-intensive production around power prices and peak loads, optionally with battery storage on the existing connection
WHY COMPANIES NEED PLANNINGAI
Efficiency
With manual planning, OEE, utilization and travel times stay below their potential
Flexibility
Short-notice changes, demand peaks, and cancellations break static plans
Compliance
SLAs, labor law, quality standards, and documentation requirements must be met automatically
Bottlenecks
Scarce personnel, machines, vehicles, and materials under constant pressure
Knowledge Silos
Planning know-how sits in spreadsheets and with a few experienced people, which makes it hard to scale or hand over
Cost Pressure
Rising labor, energy, and logistics costs demand plans that maximize every resource
CONSULTING
We evaluate your planning challenges, design the optimal solution architecture, and guide your team from concept to go-live
DEVELOPMENT
Complete PlanningAI applications with data integration, backend, optimization engine and user interface, delivered ready for production
TRAINING & COACHING
Hands-on enablement for your dev team to build, tune, and extend PlanningAI solutions with Timefold independently
WHAT WE CAN BUILD
Automated Scheduling
Engines that generate optimized plans at the push of a button
Planner UIs
Interfaces that let planners stay in control with visual editing
Real-time Replanning
Solutions that react to intraday changes automatically
ERP Integration
Connectors to SAP, ERP, and your existing system landscape
Compliance by Design
Rules, SLAs, and constraints encoded into the optimization model
KPIs & Dashboards
Reporting layers that make planning results measurable
HOW THE OPTIMIZATION WORKS
THREE RECORDED RUNS ON SAMPLE DATA
Each image replays a recorded Timefold run on sample data. The axis under the headline is the real solve time, and every figure comes from the solver's intermediate solutions.
THE TIMEFOLD ECOSYSTEM
THREE PRODUCT TIERS
Which tier fits depends on the planning problem and on who runs the application.
Timefold Open Source
For a specific planning problem and a team that builds and operates its own application.
Timefold Enterprise Edition
For large problems in production use: multi-threaded solving, faster score calculation and support with an SLA.
Timefold SaaS Models
For standard problems that run as a service and connect to your systems through an API.
- Field service routing
- Employee shift scheduling
- Pick-up and delivery routing
OptaZEN supports all three tiers with consulting, development and training.
Already using Timefold?
We review your planning model, speed up score calculation, support the migration from OptaPlanner and train your development team.
Write to usABOUT OPTAZEN
THE ART OF PLANNING OPTIMIZATION
As an official Timefold partner with over 10 years of experience in Timefold/OptaPlanner frameworks, we assist you through the concept phase, implementation, and can support your dev team in delivering PlanningAI solutions.
Whether you need to optimize employee rosters, production schedules, or field service routes: we build complete solutions from data integration through the optimization engine to the user interface. Our customers range from global corporations to small and mid-sized businesses, worldwide and close to each customer.
Your Questions
Every planning problem has optimization potential. Describe your planning problem, and we assess feasibility and expected impact in a free initial conversation.
Typical customer questions:
- Can PlanningAI optimize our shift planning or production scheduling?
- How do we integrate optimization into our existing ERP system?
- Is Timefold the right tool to solve our planning problem?
- How to speed up our Timefold score calculation?
- Can you build a complete solution with UI and data integration?
- What is the best model for our routing or scheduling problem?
WHO WE WORK FOR
Our customers
We deliver planning optimization across industries worldwide. From warehouse shift scheduling and automotive production lines to technician dispatch for utility providers, our solutions adapt to the specific constraints and regulations of your sector.
Logistics & Warehousing
Healthcare & Nursing
Manufacturing & Automotive
Pharma & Chemical
Airports & Aviation
Food & Beverage
Energy & Utilities
Rail & Infrastructure
Security & Facility Mgmt
Home Care & Ambulance
Hospitality & Leisure
Software & ERP Providers
WHAT CUSTOMERS SAY
Project Feedback
Hendrik Jacobsen
Product Manager - Industrial Data Services, SW Machines
February 23, 2026 - Germany
I worked with Simon on a Timefold scheduler project for the manufacturing industry. He supported us with his deep domain expertise which is accompanied by a well-structured work approach. Proactive, responsive, and always willing to dive into the intricate details of real-world applications. I would highly recommend his services!
Sophie Zellmer
Driving Digital Transformation in Operations & Supply Chain, Allnex
January 14, 2025 - Germany
I had the pleasure of working with Simon on a complex project focused on production planning and optimization using OptaPlanner/Timefold in the context of chemical production. From the initial concept through to architecture and development, Simon demonstrated exceptional expertise and dedication.
What truly sets Simon apart is his pragmatic approach to problem-solving and his quick and deep understanding of business processes and context. He is highly flexible and always available to address any challenges that arose, making him an invaluable asset to our team.
I highly recommend Simon for any project requiring a blend of technical proficiency in the planning and optimization domain, business understanding, and excellent interpersonal skills.
I had the pleasure of working with Simon on a Timefold project. He quickly grasped the complexity of our planning problem. We appreciated his coaching approach, sharing his expertise with our team. He helped us get our Timefold model on track quickly.
Pavel Tomasko
Freelance React Developer
August 14, 2024 - Czechia
We asked Simon for help with our first job scheduling project. He quickly understood our needs and provided us with insights so we could successfully continue. We appreciate his attitude and skill.
The Optazen team is very professional and meticulous. They are very knowledgeable about Timefold technology and have demonstrated the ability to empathize with the client's business to find non-obvious solutions.
Simon helped rewriting our software module for solving a vehicle routing problem with pickups and deliveries as well as time windows.
During the rewrite, Simon provided great value to us in numerous ways. His detailed understanding of both the vehicle routing domain and Optaplanner helped us create a performant and flexible model.
Retrospectively, we are very happy to have worked with Simon and would absolutely recommend his services.
Simon got the "perfect mix" you expect from a consultant: agility, concreteness with strong adaptive capabilities in enterprise context.
I had a very good experience from his collaboration during realization of MVP related to optimization task: I greatly appreciated his incredible technical skills and his ability to translate it in business value. His work is always top-notch, and he is always welcoming to feedback and making improvements.
I have no hesitation in recommending Simon to other potential consultants and partners!
WHO WE ARE
Our Experts
Founder and CEO
Simon Tiffert
Education:
Scientific Programmer - FH Aachen, University of Applied Sciences (Dipl. Technomathematiker)
Experience:
- 20+ years of Java/web ecosystem
- 15+ years of customer account management and consultancy
- 15+ years of international software projects: project lead, dev lead, sw architect, developer
- 10+ years of optimization projects (Drools Planner, Timefold Consulting, Timefold Training, OptaPlanner Consulting, OptaPlanner Training)
OUR ADDRESS
Weißdornweg 6, 53578 Windhagen, Germany
REPRESENTED BY
Simon Tiffert
VAT ID
DE351904148