Descartes buys Airclic for $29.7 million

Canadian supply chain information technology (IT) provider Descartes Systems Group said today it has acquired Airclic Inc., a provider of mobile technology services to the transportation industry, for $29.7 million.

The acquisition deepens Descartes' position in the world of mobile technology to support transportation and logistics processes. Descartes is already involved in the mobile segment. However, as businesses increasingly look to "mobilize" existing operations, Descartes decided to buy into existing mobile capabilities rather than spend the time to expand them organically.

Airclic's functions have already been integrated into Descartes' routing and transportation management systems (TMS) platforms, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Airclic's services are designed to streamline complex "last mile" logistics processes, the piece of the supply chain that touches the ultimate customer and which has historically been burdened with paper-based processes. For example, Airclic's "Perform" platform provides electronic proof of delivery (POD) services that operate on a hand-held device carried by the driver.

Airclic, based in Trevose, Pa., is particularly strong in the less-than-truckload (LTL); third-party logistics; food and beverage; retail; and health care segments. Descartes is based in Waterloo, Ontario.