Maxflow develops a cloud-based platform for creating and sharing computer-based workflows that piece together stand-alone apps to accomplish more complete tasks. This is analogous to the assembly line in manufacturing where individual stations are chained together to create a more complete work. The created workflow facilitates the automation of tasks, encapsulates best practices, and helps democratize the use of sophisticated software tools. It enables the automatic search for optimal results by coupling design optimization algorithms with the ability to run the workflow automatically.