IBS acquires Accenture Freight and Logistics Software

SaaS provider IBS Software has acquired Accenture Freight and Logistics Software (AFLS), a provider of technology platforms that help airline and ocean transportation companies manage their freight operations.

The purchase is expected to bolster IBS’ air cargo capabilities and extend its reach into ocean freight and logistics.

Boosting the freight business is an increasingly critical priority for airlines, IBS said, and the AFLS acquisition consolidates the latest innovations that can accelerate growth.

In particular, IBS highlighted AFLS’ cloud-based collaboration platforms, which deliver advancements in airline partnerships – a major focus area for carriers.

Plus, AFLS has a suite of platforms that enable ocean carriers to automate critical business functions and make data-led decisions for commercial operations.

IBS Software executive chairman V K Mathews said: “The acquisition of AFLS is a strategically important milestone for our cargo and logistics business to broaden its global footprint, with ocean transportation being a natural adjacent industry in which to expand our expertise.

“It is a synergistic opportunity to bring our decades of experience and expertise to the ocean cargo business, as well as strengthen our own capabilities to provide greater value to the air cargo customers.”

IBS Software chief executive Anand Krishnan said: “Cargo and logistics are vital to the global economy. It’s an area ripe for growth and hungry for transformation. Recent moves by logistics businesses to enter air cargo as they seek to influence the supply chain at every level are evidence of the growing disruption in the sector. AFLS will be pivotal in our wider mission to transform the global supply chain through digital innovation.”

IBS will open a new development centre in Chennai, its fourth in India, to support the growth it anticipates will occur as a result of its acquisition of AFLS.