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Descartes MacroPoint Reviews & Product Details

CH
Owner
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite on behalf of seller
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Descartes MacroPoint?

As a 3rd party logistics company that specializes in moving High Value Machines and expedited shipments, MacroPoint allows us to track shipments faster than making phone calls to dispatchers or drivers and continually "bugging" them. It allows my team to focus on other things and increases productivity. We use this system daily. We also just recently integrated with 3PL Brokerware so this has allowed us to track right from the TMS saving time as well. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Descartes MacroPoint?

Sometimes we do round trip shipments and we have to create double tracking out and back otherwise it will mark them in at the loading point and return simulataneouly causing extra costs. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Descartes MacroPoint solving and how is that benefiting you?

Keeping up with our HVP and sharing tracking with our customers. They love it! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Descartes MacroPoint Overview

What is Descartes MacroPoint?

Descartes MacroPoint is a global freight visibility platform and carrier capacity network for logistics-intensive businesses. Our real-time data​ allows you to view, analyze, predict, and communicate the status of any shipment in real time using multimodal visibility, predictive analytics, and an automated communication platform enabling “Manage by Exception” capabilities. The cloud-based solution, which is integrated with a wide range of TMS platforms, can also automate and accelerate the carrier sourcing process with AI-driven capacity matching.

Descartes MacroPoint Details
Product Website
Languages Supported
English
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Product Description

Automated Track & Trace for Shippers & Freight Brokers.


Seller Details
Company Website
Year Founded
1981
HQ Location
Waterloo, Ontario
Twitter
@descartessg
3,197 Twitter followers
LinkedIn® Page
www.linkedin.com
1,575 employees on LinkedIn®
Ownership
NASDAQ:DSGX
Total Revenue (USD mm)
$486,000,000
Description

Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, security and sustainability of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, track and help improve the safety, performance and compliance of delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world's largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world.


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Recent Descartes MacroPoint Reviews

Jairo E.
JE
Jairo E.Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
3.5 out of 5
"It gives you better control and visibility of all the loads."
The integration with the ELD of the carriers.
Sean G.
SG
Sean G.Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
5.0 out of 5
"Happy with Macropoint"
Quick troubleshooting and great attitudes about sharing new information and assisting when needed.
Alexander D.
AD
Alexander D.Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
4.5 out of 5
"Descartes Macropoint with Sandra Petrovic!"
Macropoint is the tried and true tracking for us. We know that when we partner with Macropoint in tracking our loads that it is going to be fast an...
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Descartes MacroPoint Media

Descartes MacroPoint Demo - Control-Tower Dashboard
Get a complete & comprehensive view of your in-transit shipments to quickly identify actionable insights & access real-time data
Descartes MacroPoint Demo - Every Detail in Real-Time
Dive deep into individual shipment history and access useful data to help mitigate potential disputes
Descartes MacroPoint Demo - Reporting & Analytics
Utilize customizable reporting and analytics to identify KPIs, trends and areas of need within your supply chain.
Descartes MacroPoint Demo - Global Coverage
Descartes MacroPoint provides seamless tracking across the globe, including valuable information for cross-border shipments.
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Video Reviews

667 out of 668 Total Reviews for Descartes MacroPoint

4.7 out of 5
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Descartes MacroPoint Pros and Cons

How are these determined?Information
Pros and Cons are compiled from review feedback and grouped into themes to provide an easy-to-understand summary of user reviews.
Pros
Cons

Overall Review Sentiment for Descartes MacroPointQuestion

Time to Implement
<1 day
>12 months
Return on Investment
<6 months
48+ months
Ease of Setup
0 (Difficult)
10 (Easy)
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Michael B.
MB
Heavy Haul Project Manager
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: Seller invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Descartes MacroPoint?

I like the timesheet feature, and the ability to get location pings every 15 minutes as the truck moves from point to point. The messaging feature is nice as well, but i have never had any success in getting replies back. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Descartes MacroPoint?

The fact that it tends to cut in and out semi-frequently is mildly frustrating, and the fact that it doesnt always work properly despite being set up correctly with location settings and everything turned on. it is very frustrating for both the dispatcher and the driver to have to constantly uninstall and re-install it to get it to kick on, or to even track as it is supposed to even when the location is on ALWAYS. I am not sure what the difference in tracking abilities between this one and Trucker Tools, but the latter seems to be much more user-friendly and consistent. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Descartes MacroPoint solving and how is that benefiting you?

They do seem to be getting better regarding consistency, but the tracking issues i mentioned in the previous section still exist and can get frustrating for everyone involved. I do like the new Dashboard and the ability to share and use the tracking link, that is very nice. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Tore  G.
TG
Driver Services Manager
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: Seller invite
Incentivized Review
(Original )Information
What do you like best about Descartes MacroPoint?

One of the best features of MacroPoint is how easy they make it to track integrated carriers. If somebody is connected to use through ELD, that provides a fast and efficient way to track their loads. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Descartes MacroPoint?

Sometimes there is a delay in which you need to wait for the truck to ping against an unknown variable. Occasionally, you will need to wait longer than the allotted start time for tracking to begin. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Descartes MacroPoint:

I would recommend that you meet with your community success rep to find out what is right for you. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Descartes MacroPoint solving and how is that benefiting you?

One of the biggest problems that we are solving with MacroPoint is reliably tracking carriers. The cost per load is efficient enough to warrant the use of their project. Business performance has increased as loads are being tracked more reliably. With the current state of fraud, it is very important to have visibility on all shipments, and MacroPoint helps us get that done! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

CJ
Transportation and Logistics Director
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite on behalf of seller
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Descartes MacroPoint?

What I like most about Descartes MacroPoint is that we have access to track trucks that are not intracompany vehicles.

In the past our sales department, customers, and others have only been able to attain this information via phone call, text, or email - which then the accurate arrivals, departures, etc can get lost in the mix. But with this software, we can now see accurate pinged locations on the vehicles so our operation can run at maximum efficiency.

I use this program every single time we have a shipment going out.

Also the User Interface is tremendously easy to navigate and use. It only took me a few minutes of playing around in it to be able to figure out all the functions that we have available.

The implementation and integration process was quick, and easy.

For a smaller company such as ours, it only took a week or two to get completely set up.

Customer support has been fantastic since we started the process. They clearly communicate who will be running each step of the process, as well as checking back up to make sure everything is running as it should. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Descartes MacroPoint?

Pretty much the only thing I don't like about MacroPoint is that for each specific load you have to enter all of the information over again. I wish there was a feature that would save all the old locations to be selected for use again to make the entry process faster, but that is a small price to pay for what it accomplishes on the back-end. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Descartes MacroPoint solving and how is that benefiting you?

The biggist issue that MacroPoint is solving for us is shipment visibility. In the past, once shipments had left our facility - unless they were our intracompany vehicles - we would lose visibility on them with the only mode of contact being phone, text, or email. What would happen is: A customer would call us inquiring about the shipment, we would then have call the company to find out where the truck is, they would call the driver & driver would give them current location (which may or may not be completely accurate or true), to then have them call us or email us back, for which by then the customer has already called again about it. This program is going to cut all of that middle man communication out of the equation. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

IV
Data Analyst
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite on behalf of seller
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Descartes MacroPoint?

I like a lot the constant status and real time tracking for every shipment it makes the tracking work a lot much easier and it is helpful to also provide constant updates to stakeholders and with an efficient customer support quicker to help resolve any issue, also the learning curve is very quick as this tool is very intuitive and this makes MacroPoint an everyday tool. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Descartes MacroPoint?

I think that it would be awesome if there where more videos or sessions from Descartes to know if there are any updates coming or planned. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Descartes MacroPoint solving and how is that benefiting you?

The real time tracking of our shipment as it serves its purpose the tool is very helpful avoiding delays or wasting time going through each carrier page to see the information needed. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

KW
Carrier Sales Representative
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite on behalf of seller
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Descartes MacroPoint?

Easy to set up, simple to use, and effective tracking to provide updates for my customers on where their freight is and where it's been! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Descartes MacroPoint?

At times we have issue with getting tracking activated, and the app has a tendency to quickly drain your device's battery if it's not plugged in. That said, the tracking is effective and most truckers don't go anywhere without a charging cable for their devices in the truck! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Descartes MacroPoint solving and how is that benefiting you?

MacroPoint has helped us effectively and efficiently track our customers' freight and loads across town and across the country. We've been able to reduce our check calls with drivers and have been able to provide more accurate updates to our customers, so everyone comes out on top! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Transportation/Trucking/Railroad
UT
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite on behalf of seller
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Descartes MacroPoint?

As a freight broker intermediating a high volume of crossborder shipments between Canada and the US, Macropoint proves extremely useful at seeing where all the trucks are currently, all in one place, without having to contact 10-20 dispatches.

With food manufacturers, it's important to schedule delivery / pick-up appointments, sometimes even the time when the driver reaches the Border matters.

For their price packages, Macropoint is a steal for any freight broker aspiring to coordinate large projects and have a high income.

Customer support is awesome, Charlie Steinhoff made a presentation from scratch just so that I could present the program to my colleagues.

Indispensable tool for a crossborder freight broker in 2025. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Descartes MacroPoint?

Maybe the fact that it doesn't show live location but offers a ping every 15 minutes, but that isn't that much of an issue anyways. It would be cool if there were more tools to customize maps for load statistics personal + company wide. ( show your potential customers all the deliveries you had in a 100 mile radius to their warehouse in the last month ) Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Descartes MacroPoint solving and how is that benefiting you?

Explained in the Best Features tab already, for a freight broker involved in USA / Canada trade, this tool is amazing to manage and coordinate without stress Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Logistics and Supply Chain
AL
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: Seller invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Descartes MacroPoint?

Auto-marking loads as picked up saves our team lots of time. Tracking adds lots of value to our customers and the MacroPoint for Truckers app makes download simple for drivers. Anytime we've needed support, the Descartes MacroPoint team has been responsive, clear, professional, and willing to look into issue and offer unique solutions. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Descartes MacroPoint?

There are only I believe 8 or 10 slots for photos. This is not nearly enough for vehicles. If a driver is carrying a load of nine vehicles, we would expect a minimum of 3-5 photos of each vehicle at both pick-up and delivery. MacroPoint simply does not accomodate for this. This also confuses our drivers, often leading them to take way fewer photos than is necessary which creates issues.

Another issue with MacroPoint is the lack of flexibility for repeated lanes. If the same driver is located at a pick-up OR delivery location that is repeated among their loads, MacroPoint automatically marks the driver arrived for all loads. This is a huge problem for lots of our customers who have many vehicles to and from the same locations, so this is something that takes away from our MacroPoint experience. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Descartes MacroPoint solving and how is that benefiting you?

Descartes MacroPoint helps us know exactly where drivers are, check ETAs with an extra layer of certainty, and allow customers increased transparency and comfort. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

FK
Logistics Coordinator
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite on behalf of seller
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Descartes MacroPoint?

Most of my thoughts will be in direct reference to the "Control Tower View". On the account I run, time is everything, and when I know down the minute where a truck driver is located, how long he's been in the current location, their miles from the destination and whether they are on time or behind, I feel completely prepared to handle any situation that arises. I can answer any question my department might be tasked with. I can look at traffic patterns in various locations to get an idea of what the challenges on the road may be. The order numbers we use are exact to each shipment and make finding them easy and quick with the use of web browser finding tool, "CTRL-F". Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Descartes MacroPoint?

There is a designated search bar in the Control Tower View but for some reason when I input my company's order number (ex. 1243015) which is visible on the list (ex. CFML.1243015.2274398) that order is not highlighted or desinagted in any way. I have to use the web browsers finding function instead to locate the order I need to view. It's not a major problem but if the search bar is there it may as well be useful.

I know that a lot of this is due to driver indifference but I wish there were a more direct way to get a driver's location instead of the driver being required to update whenever they feel like it. This might be a privacy issue but if they're supplying their number than it should be automatic.

Whether it be a flaw in the system or driver error, every so often the tracking will bug out and a driver that has just left the pick up warehouse will suddenly show up as delivered even though there was no possible way of that happening so quickly. Not sure what's going on there. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Descartes MacroPoint solving and how is that benefiting you?

Time frame problems are being solved on a nightly basis for me. I cannot stress enough how important it is for me to see where a frieght driver is in real-time. If I know the driver is going to be late than it gives me the ability to proactively called ahead to the receiver and quickly solve the situation.

I can visually track every load I have shipping out of my warehouse which gives me "eyes in the sky" abilities to understand and collaborate with carriers on their time frames, as well as, track the amount of time carrier may or may not be spending on the route. These numbers provide us with documentation as to which carriers are proactively taking our shipments to their destination in a timely manner and which carriers are not as reliable. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

DT
Logistic Coordinator
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite on behalf of seller
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Descartes MacroPoint?

I can monitor every stop the driver makes while transporting my freight and respond quickly to potential risks, such as staying in the same location for too long or losing tracking entirely. It's an incredibly useful tool that keeps everything under control and ensures smooth operations. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Descartes MacroPoint?

One drawback of Descartes MacroPoint is that the information updates aren't always consistent, and the app sometimes doesn't refresh in real-time. A useful improvement would be adding a "location request" button, allowing the driver to send their exact location at that moment, eliminating the need for manual calls. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Descartes MacroPoint solving and how is that benefiting you?

Descartes MacroPoint solves the problem of manual freight tracking by providing real-time visibility of shipments, which eliminates the need for check calls and constant follow-ups with drivers. This benefits me by saving time, improving communication with customers, and allowing my team to focus on more important tasks, like booking new loads, ultimately boosting productivity and customer satisfaction Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Alexander D.
AD
Training and Development Specialist
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite on behalf of seller
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Descartes MacroPoint?

Macropoint is the tried and true tracking for us. We know that when we partner with Macropoint in tracking our loads that it is going to be fast and accurate. The support we get from our Customer Success agents is top class! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Descartes MacroPoint?

There's not much to dislike, the platform is simple and easy to maneuver once you get to know how to use it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Descartes MacroPoint solving and how is that benefiting you?

MacroPoint is our go to ELD tracking service for our assets and partner carriers. The ease of connection to ELD providers with our transportation partners is unbeatable. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.