Descartes has acquired BearWare, Inc. (“BearWare”), a leading US-based provider of mobile solutions to improve collaboration between retailers and their logistics service providers.

BearWare’s system leverages mobile technologies to scan cartons at each point from the distribution centers through to the store front. This carton-level tracking complements shipment-level tracking and helps pro-actively identify potential inventory replenishment for each store, reduces theft and claims for lost cartons, and streamlines shipment payment. It also supports pool distribution, which helps retailers to reduce logistics costs and minimize store disruptions by eliminating unconsolidated direct shipments from suppliers and retailer distribution centers into the stores.

Descartes’ strategy is focused on growing and operating the most complete and interoperable global Logistics Technology Platform. Descartes’ Logistics Technology Platform uniquely combines the Global Logistics Network (GLN), a wide range of modular and interoperable logistics applications and the largest community of logistics-intensive companies in the world. The acquisition advances Descartes’ strategic objective to strengthen its global presence and leadership position by:

  • Extending Descartes’ network -based services through additional order, shipment, status, and invoice connectivity between shippers and logistics service providers;
  • Strengthening Descartes’ routing and mobile applications with deep cross docking, mobility, and carton-level status tracking solutions; and
  • Adds a new community of specialty retail customers and associated logistics service providers with pool distribution capabilities.

Expanding Descartes’ Global Logistics Network

Descartes’ Global Logistics Network (GLN) is the foundation on which the applications and community are built. The GLN provides community members the flexibility to easily connect and collaborate with global trading partners.  The BearWare acquisition will extend Descartes’ network-based services through additional order, shipment, status, and invoice connectivity between shippers and logistics service providers.

Enhancing Descartes’ offering of logistics management applications

Descartes’ product strategy is focused on expanding its logistics application functional footprint to provide its customers with the most comprehensive logistics management solutions in the industry.  BearWare has been building its comprehensive solutions for over 25 years.  The acquisition will strengthen Descartes’ routing and mobile applications with deep cross docking, mobility, and carton-level status tracking solutions.

Growing Descartes’ global multimodal logistics community

Descartes’ logistics community is the largest multimodal network of logistics intensive companies in the world, with over 220,000 parties using its cloud-based services in over 160 countries. Descartes’ mission is to create the world’s most comprehensive networked logistics community. BearWare adds a loyal customer base of specialty retail customers and associated logistics service providers with pool distribution capabilities to Descartes’ community.

About BearWare

For over 25 years, BearWare has been helping retailers and their logistics service providers collaborate on store shipments. BearWare’s system leverages mobile technologies to scan cartons at each point from the distribution centers through to the store front. This carton-level tracking complements shipment-level tracking and helps pro-actively identify potential inventory replenishment for each store, reduces theft and claims for lost cartons, and streamlines shipment payment. It also supports pool distribution, which helps retailers to reduce logistics costs and minimize store disruptions by eliminating unconsolidated direct shipments from suppliers and retailer distribution centers into the stores. The BearWare system is being used by leading retailers, including L Brands, Restoration Hardware and GNC to save money, support loss prevention programs and improve delivery operations effectiveness.

The acquisition makes BearWare’s customers members of the world’s premier global logistics community – The Global Logistics Network – facilitating improved performance and productivity of logistics operations around the world. As part of this community BearWare’s customers will have access to additional solutions via Descartes’ Logistics Technology Platform to improve rate management, dock appointment scheduling, transportation management, routing and scheduling, and in-transit inventory visibility.

BearWare is based in Cleveland, Ohio. Learn more about BearWare's Pool Distribution solutions.