Descartes Acquires Exentra

Descartes Systems Group (News - Alert) recently announced that it has completed the acquisition of Exentra Transport Solutions Limited, a UK-based provider of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS (News - Alert)) driver compliance solutions for the European Union (EU). The transaction was wroth GBP 10.7 million (approximately USD $17.0 million). Moreover, Descartes acquired approximately GBP 0.2 million in working capital (approximately USD $0.3 million).

With the acquisition, Descartes has expanded its customer base, as Exentra brings thousands of UK routing-centric customers to Descartes' Logistics Technology Platform. The platform integrates more than 35,000 trading partners to unite their businesses in commerce. Customers use modular, Software-as-a-Service solutions to route, schedule, track and measure delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the multi-modal logistics community.

"The EU driver compliance legislation has been in place longer than comparable regulations in North America. In the EU, not only is every vehicle required to have tachograph hardware, but the hardware is standardized and fitted during vehicle production," said Steve Fisher, CEO of Exentra and director of Compliance at Descartes. "Our experience strengthens Descartes' Routing, Mobile and Telematics suite to address the US regulatory environment, while our combined solutions also have an immediate impact on the quality and safety of route planning for our collective UK customers."

"Guided by our customers, we continue to invest in our Routing, Mobile and Telematics suite of products," said Edward Ryan (News - Alert), CCO at Descartes. "We're particularly excited about making this incremental strategic investment in the UK market where we have a long history of route planning success with marquee customers such as John Lewis Partnership and Wolseley."

In related news, Descartes Systems Group recently unveiled key product advances at a recent event that are designed to help Descartes' customers improve their productivity and performance. The advances enhance Descartes' Routing, Mobile & Telematics, Transportation Management, Global Logistics Network services, Customs' & Regulatory Compliance and Broker & Forwarder Enterprise systems.

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