WATERLOO, Ontario, Oct. 9, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes Systems Group (TSX:DSG) (Nasdaq:DSGX), a global on-demand software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions provider, announced the launch of its solution specifically designed to allow manufacturers and distributors to route, track in real-time and report on the performance of its product merchandisers and sales representatives.
Descartes' Sales & Merchandiser Management solution is an on-demand service that enables merchandiser and sales management to more effectively monitor and manage their mobile workforce while ensuring efficient delivery of their products to retail stores. Descartes' Sales & Merchandiser Management solution is part of Descartes' Delivery Management suite.
"Leading consumer product manufacturers and distributors have recognized that improvements in product merchandiser and sales representative productivity can drive top-line growth and customer satisfaction," said Chris Jones, Executive Vice President, Solutions and Services at Descartes. "By working with our direct-store-delivery customers, we have developed an on-demand solution that can be widely deployed through lower-cost GPS-enabled phones to help manage the logistics and in-store activities of merchandisers and sales representatives."
The Descartes Sales & Merchandiser Management solution includes:
* Weekly activity planning
* Stop sequencing
* Product delivery synchronization
* Schedule & in-store activity communication via GPS-enabled
phones
* Real-time tracking of product deliveries
* Real-time tracking of merchandisers and sales representatives
* Real-time delivery status visibility for merchandisers and
sales representatives
* Actual miles driven and in-store time calculation
* Consolidated performance reporting for management and the
merchandiser and sales representatives
* Performance data available for up-loading to corporate
payroll and expense reporting systems
* Standard integration with Descartes' delivery route planning
solutions
Potential benefits that may be achieved using the Descartes Sales & Merchandiser Management solution include:
* Coordinated plans for product delivery that consider
merchandiser and sales representative availability
* Improved merchandiser and sales management productivity
* Reduced merchandiser waiting time
* Automated instruction downloads and field data capture
* More accurate mileage reimbursement and work time
* Identification of field resource performance issues or
inaccurate geocoding of customer locations
The Descartes Delivery Management suite integrates design, planning, execution, performance management and messaging solutions that help manufacturers, retailers, distributors, service providers and their logistics services providers to optimize inbound and outbound delivery performance. It helps address business challenges including strategic delivery planning, warehouse optimization, daily planning, reservations, transportation management, supply chain visibility, mobile/dispatch/AVL, and connectivity and messaging.
The solution is being unveiled at the International Foodservice Distribution Conference in Louisville, Kentucky today at the Descartes Booth #334.
About Descartes
Descartes (TSX:DSG) (Nasdaq:DSGX), a leading provider of software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions, is delivering results across the globe today for organizations that operate logistics-intensive businesses. Descartes' logistics management solutions combine a multi-modal network, the Descartes Global Logistics Network, with component-based 'nano' sized applications to provide messaging services between logistics trading partners, shipment management services to help manage third party carriers and private fleet management services for organizations of all sizes. These solutions and services help Descartes' customers reduce administrative costs, billing cycles, fleet size, contract carrier costs, and mileage driven and improve pick up and delivery reliability. Our hosted, transactional and packaged solutions deliver repeatable, measurable results and fast time-to-value. Descartes customers include an estimated 1,600 ground carriers and more than 90 airlines, 30 ocean carriers, 900 freight forwarders and third-party providers of logistics services, and hundreds of manufacturers, retailers, distributors, private fleet owners and regulatory agencies. The company has almost 300 employees and is based in Waterloo, Ontario, with operations in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Washington DC, Derby, London, Stockholm, Shanghai, Singapore and Melbourne. For more information, visit www.descartes.com.
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This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") that relate to Descartes' solution offering and potential benefits derived therefrom; and other matters. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, "Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results" in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.