Tech Scorecard: More Strategic Strikes on the Tech Marketplace

June 8, 2008

A look at major coporate moves in the supply chain technology sector.

While software giant Oracle Corp. got most of the attention for its $8.5 billion takeover of middleware provider BEA, it has been Descartes Systems Group, a Canadian software vendor of supply chain execution solutions, that has been the most active in its strategic acquisition of companies and technology assets. For slightly under $6 million, Descartes added routing, scheduling and ocean freight management solutions to its portfolio.

Comments Adrian Gonzalez, director of ARC Advisory Group's Logistics Executive Council, "[Descartes] has been very disciplined and methodical in its acquisition strategy. Simply stated, Descartes is focused on extending the number of participants and solutions on its Global Logistics Network by acquiring financially-stable companies with proven solutions and good customer bases."

The following scorecard highlights significant corporate moves in the supply chain technology sector since our last update in the January 2008 IW.

Company/Product	Parent Company	Transaction Type	Technology
Asaph Transportation & Logistics Consulting	LPS	merger/new name	logistics and procurement software
AssetPoint	Triton Pacific Capital Partners	acquisition (majority interest)	enterprise asset management software
BEA	Oracle Corp.	acquisition	middleware
Blesco Inc.	Viastore Systems	acquisition	material handling systems design
Configuration Solutions Inc.	Consona Corp.	acquisition	ERP/customer relationship management
Cornerstone Shipping Services	Newgistics Inc.	acquisition	parcel shipping solutions
Encentuate Inc.	IBM Corp.	acquisition	identity and access management software
FourSoft Ltd.	TAKE Solutions	merger	supply chain management solutions
Freeborders' PLM division	Lawson Software	acquisition	product lifecycle management
Generate Inc.	Dow Jones & Co.	acquisition	business intelligence
Incuity Software Inc.	Rockwell Automation Inc.	acquisition	enterprise manufacturing intelligence
Industriaplex Inc.	Agility	acquisition (minority stake)	sourcing solutions/services
Interactive Capacity Gateway	NLM	spin-off	shipment management software
LeanLogistics	CHEP (Brambles)	acquisition	transportation management software
Mobitrac	Descartes Systems Group	acquisition of assets	routing and scheduling software
Mojix Inc.	n/a	launch	RFID technology
Open Channel Solutions Inc.	CMGI Inc.	acquisition	e-business management solutions
Pacific Coast Tariff Bureau	Descartes Systems Group	acquisition of assets	contract management (ocean freight)
PowerKey	I.D. Systems Inc.	acquisition	vehicle monitoring systems
RouteView Technologies	Descartes Systems Group	acquisition	map-based routing software
RSI ID Technologies Inc.	Sirit Inc.	acquisition	RFID hardware (passive)
Spider Systems	Infogain Corp.	acquisition	ERP
Vorhoff & Associates	LPS	merger/new name	logistics and procurement software

See Also

About the Author

Dave Blanchard | Senior Director of Content

Focus: Supply Chain

Call: (941) 208-4370

Follow on Twitter @SupplyChainDave

During his career Dave Blanchard has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. He also serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2010), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its second edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.