Descartes inks logistical software deal

Descartes Systems Group, a supply chain software firm that offers its technology to the pharmaceutical space, has acquired Portrix Logistic Software, a Germany-based provider of multimodal rate management solutions for logistics services providers (LSPs), for $26.7 million.

Portrix’s core product, known as Global Price Management (GPM), is used by customers to provide global shipment routing, pricing, rating and capacity allocation management. The company’s solutions mix with key systems that need quick, accurate and complete shipping and pricing options, including customer relationship management (CRM), transportation management and customer-facing online booking platforms, such as Descartes Kontainers.

“Automated rate management tools are critical for LSPs looking to digitize the customer experience,” says Henning Voss, co-founder of Portrix and now vice president of product management, rate management solutions, Descartes. “As the momentum for digitization accelerates, the demand for our solutions continues to grow. In particular, we’ve seen an increase in demand for an integrated Descartes Kontainers-Portrix solution, making the decision to combine with Descartes a logical next step for the business and our customers. We’re looking forward to taking our existing partnership with Descartes to the next level.”