McLeod Software – a provider of dispatch, accounting and operations fleet management software – announced today, April 29, the purchase of iLENS (Integrated Logistics Execution Network Systems), a logistics software company that provides freight procurement, load execution and spot market software, as well as consulting services, for shippers, carriers and 3PLs. Terms were not disclosed.
“While the industry is struggling through a very rough economic time, our continued success is allowing us to invest in expanding our portfolio,” says Tom McLeod, president and chief executive officer of McLeod Software, based in Birmingham, Ala. “With this acquisition, we are extending our reach by adding a complete set of products for shippers to complement our successful truckload carrier and broker offerings. The iLENS product line allows us to accelerate our penetration of the supply chain and logistics space, as the new software fits well with and will strengthen the capability of our LoadMaster and PowerBroker products.”
The company says the latest acquisition is a reflection of its ability to understand the relationship between carriers, brokers and shippers; by offering a software solution that manages freight procurement and management services for shippers, as well as load execution, McLeod says it effectively expands what the company can do for current customers.
“Many of our customers are already excited about the iLENS addition,” McLeod says. “By adding new product, service and skill sets, we are able to provide benefits to our carrier and broker customers, as well as serve shippers. McLeod Software brings the carrier perspective to the freight procurement process through an approach we refer to as Carrier Alignment. The process helps reduce transportation costs for shippers – historically, with iLENS, shippers achieve an annual transportation cost savings of 10 percent to 20 percent – while providing carriers the opportunity to win freight awards that will strengthen or complement the carrier’s existing lanes and operations, A growing number of our current customers are also interested in developing a logistics capability. This product will allow us to get them there faster.”
With the acquisition, iLENS founder Michael Voelk, along with the iLENS’ systems analytics and consulting team, will join McLeod Software as vice president of iLENS sales. Current iLENS customers include Greatwide Logistics Services and Smithfield Foods.
