I Descartes takes over Impatex to strengthen technology services for customers

Recently, global logistics technology solutions provider Descartes Systems has acquired the UK’s largest and oldest-established Customs and freight-forwarding software company Impatex. The deal is significant for the logistics industry. Chris Jones, Execu

According to Jones, technology is more important than ever for the cargo and logistics industry because of the increasing expectations of shippers (manufacturers, retailers and distributors) that use them and governmental regulations. Shippers want to have a better understanding of the status of their freight in real-time and not just at the shipment level, but related to the purchase orders and quantities in each shipment. In addition, shippers are expecting more ‘value-added’ services where logistics companies are taking a greater responsibility managing the flow of goods. All of this requires logistics technology to provide the visibility and control that shippers are demanding. From a governmental regulation perspective, goods can no longer move around the world without electronic clearance from the importing country. Logistics companies must be connected to the governmental agencies controlling the customs clearance process to efficiently move goods for their customers.

On asked about upcoming plans and programmes, “We launched a number of new and enhanced products in 2013, some of which were Japan AFR (import security filing) which comes into effect in March 2014; the Descartes Community, a collaborative application connecting companies in the logistics ecosystem and acquired KSD Software, a leading provider of Scandinavian and European customs filing solutions and Impatex, a leading UK customs and forwarder enterprise applications provider,” he said.

Today, Impatex provides its iCE ( Integrated Customs for Europe) Customs processing system for high-volume users such as Agility, Ceva, Damco, DHL, DSV, Expeditors, Geodis, Hellmann, Kuehne + Nagel, Panalpina, SDV, UPS and UTI. iCE is progressively replacing its well-established Customs Manager predecessor, in use by hundreds of freight forwarders, as well as shipping lines and shippers.

“Impatex also continues to develop its unique, browser-based NetFreight

Specifically, Descartes Global Logistics Network can connect Indian logistics companies to the carriers, customers and partners they use globally to move goods”

Chris Jones Executive Vice-President Marketing and Services, Descartes

forwarding and Customs system, designed for small to mid-size agents, and bought from its inventor Evgeni Pantchev in 2007. NetFreight is now used by over one hundred freight agents in the UK, and a growing number in the USA, Europe and the Middle East. Evgeni will re-join Impatex under its new ownership at the beginning of the New Year,” he said.

Descartes provides global logistics technology services for cargo and logistics companies. These include network-based services to book shipments, file-related customs documents and track the progress of those shipments on a global basis. Descartes Logistics Technology Platform can help Indian logistics companies efficiently manage the movement of goods for their customers on a global basis. “Specifically, Descartes Global Logistics Network can connect Indian logistics companies to the carriers, customers and partners they use globally to move goods. Descartes Global Freight Exchange ( GF-X) can help Indian logistics companies book air freight and Descartes Customs filing solutions can help Indian logistics companies clear goods for entry into North American, European, Japan and other countries,” Jones said.

Descartes believes that the Indian logistic industry is rapidly evolving to address the tremendous growth that the Indian economy has been seeing for the last 20 years. With the expansion of the Indian manufacturing industry, Descartes believes that global logistics will become increasingly important for Indian logistics companies.

“At present, Descartes does not have a direct presence in India, but can do business with Indian logistics companies on a global basis,” added Jones.