Building Momentum: Reflections on BearTracks' Growth and Vision Ahead!
When Swati Agarwal, our CEO, asked me to reflect on our journey, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia. Looking back, it’s truly remarkable how far we’ve come!
From our beginnings as Bear River Associates in the 80s, to where we are today as BearTracks, the transformation has been beyond anything I could have ever imagined. It’s not just the milestones, but the people, the experiences, and the spirit that have made this journey so special.
The Early Days
Back in the ‘80s, Randy Matamoros (Randy) and I co-founded Bear River Associates with a simple yet bold vision: to create innovative solutions that could truly transform business operations. At the time, we were a Macintosh application development company, working on groundbreaking projects like contributing to the very first version of PowerPoint.
By the ‘90s, we had broadened our expertise to include Windows, web, and mobile technologies. It was during this period that we launched Star Receiver, the predecessor to BearTracks.
I still remember the pride we felt when companies like Cisco Systems deployed it as the first enterprise-level package tracking solution on a global scale. Those were thrilling times—late nights fueled by excitement, big ideas, and a whole lot of coffee! We’ve come a long way since.
Adapting to Change
Over the years, we've had many learnings. If there’s one thing I’ve truly come to understand in this business, it’s that technology waits for no one.
One of our biggest challenges came in 1994. We developed a prototype of what is now BearTracks for Apple Computer (as it was called back then), using the Apple Newton as the mobile computer. However, when Apple abruptly discontinued the Newton platform, we had to find a new mobile platform.
We chose PalmOS and migrated the mobile app from NewtonScript to C++. PalmOS devices served us well for some years, but eventually, they too became an unviable mobile platform.
Once again, we had to rewrite the app from scratch to support Windows CE and later Windows Mobile devices. These devices worked well for a few years, but over time, no mobile computers remained compatible with our customers' needs.
This meant another rewrite - bringing us to Android and iOS—the platforms we support today.
The backend had its own journey of transformation as well. The prototype used a desktop database. When we developed Star Receiver (BearTracks’ predecessor), we used PowerBuilder, a client-server development tool. As the web became the go-to for enterprise applications, we rewrote BearTracks using Java, JavaScript, and other web technologies.
In those days, customers hosted BearTracks on their own servers, maintained by their IT teams. But as the industry shifted toward vendor-managed cloud solutions, BearTracks made the leap to SaaS, ensuring we stayed ahead of the curve.
Anthony Meadows (extreme right, first row) with the BearTracks Team
Innovations and Progress
That was then. I’m retired now, but it fills me with pride to see how far we’ve come!
We now have automated testing of updates and automated provisioning, meaning customers receive new features, bug fixes, performance improvements, and security updates more frequently. The Bear River technical team follows industry best practices to ensure a rock-solid, secure, and scalable product for managing internal processes.
Another feature that stands out is the integrated training in the product. It helps new staff learn on the go, using the product when needed. Employees today are under pressure to learn quickly and get into production fast. A decade ago, formal training sessions were common, but that’s less feasible now. Today, the Learning Management System is a great solution—it’s a win for everyone.
Looking Ahead
The future of BearTracks is bright. Swati and her team bring fresh perspectives, infectious energy, and skills I could only dream of when we started. As hybrid workforces evolve, BearTracks is ready to meet these challenges across industries.
From our beginnings as a Macintosh development company to becoming a leader in SaaS solutions for last-mile logistics, we’ve grown and adapted. Our flagship product’s journey reflects this transformation.
But at its heart, BearTracks is about resilience, reinvention, innovation, and, most importantly, the people—employees, customers, and partners—who’ve made this journey possible.
To everyone who’s been part of this story: thank you. The best is yet to come!
Learn more about BearTracks here!
