Descartes Acquires STEPcom

Descartes has acquired STEPcom, a leading Business-to-Business (“B2B”) supply chain integration network based in Switzerland.

STEPcom has connected trading partners to its B2B network for more than 15 years, helping supply chain participants connect, collaborate and seamlessly exchange electronic data. A community of more than 600 customers leverage the STEPcom suite of solutions to automate supply chain processes and streamline a wide array of complex, mission-critical documents found in typical procure-to-pay and order-to-cash processes.

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:

Expands Descartes’ network reach and concentration, and improves supplier enablement in the Swiss market;
Strengthens Descartes’ B2B application footprint with additional tools for data pool synchronization, product information management and vendor managed inventory;
Expands Descartes’ community in Switzerland with more 600 additional customers; and
Presents additional opportunities to collect logistics & supply chain data content earlier in the business process (PO to Dock Door).

Extending Descartes’ Global Logistics Network

Descartes’ 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 STEPcom acquisition expands the reach and concentration of the GLN and improves supplier enablement in the Swiss market.

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. The STEPcom acquisition strengthens Descartes’ B2B application footprint with additional tools for data pool synchronization, product information management and vendor managed inventory.

Growing Descartes’ global multimodal logistics community

Descartes’ logistics community is the largest multimodal network of logistics-intensive companies in the world, with parties using its cloud-based services in over 160 countries. The acquisition expands Descartes’ community in Switzerland with more 600 additional customers.

Expanding Descartes’ logistics trade data content

Descartes’ leading platform combines regulatory trade data and logistics trade data to improve market research, reduce the risk of transacting with denied or restricted parties, perform shipment classification and valuation to minimize duty spend, and improve shipment planning and execution. The STEPcom acquisition presents additional opportunities to collect logistics & supply chain data content earlier in the business process (PO to Dock Door).

About STEPcom

The acquisition makes STEPcom’s customers members of the Global Logistics Network, the world’s premier global logistics community –– facilitating improved performance and productivity of logistics operations around the world. As part of this community, STEPcom’s customers will have access to the Global Logistics Network and additional solutions via Descartes’ Logistics Technology Platform.

STEPcom’s head office is in Rheinfelden, Switzerland. For more information, visit the STEPcom website at http://www.stepcom.ch.