Swissport International and Descartes Expand Real-time Tracking Network for Air Cargo


WATERLOO, Ontario, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq: DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced that Switzerland’s Swissport International, the largest airport ground services and air cargo handling agent worldwide, is deploying Descartes Core Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)™ readers at all 115 of its cargo warehouses. The deployment significantly expands the network used to provide airlines with real-time tracking of international mail, parcel and cargo shipments via the Descartes Core™ Unit Load Device (ULD) Tracking solution.

“Our cooperation with Descartes and the introduction of global ULD tracking at our cargo warehouses creates added value for our customers and drives the digital transformation of the cargo supply chain and the industry,” said Hendrik Leyssens, Swissport’s Vice President Global Cargo Operations.

A next-generation, Bluetooth-enabled solution, Descartes Core ULD Tracking helps air carriers and their partners automate freight tracking, increase operating efficiencies and improve asset management by providing real-time visibility of air shipments bundled into a single ULD container or pallet. Shipments can be tracked whether in the air or on the ground via the Descartes Core BLE network, part of the Descartes Global Logistics Network™. In addition to location, other sensor-based information such as precise temperature, movement (e.g., shock, acceleration and orientation) and humidity can be monitored. Innovative new tags that support smoke and fire detection, light sensing, and doorway ingress/egress are also in development. This data, combined with forecasting of asset location requirements, helps carriers reduce ULD fleet losses, better match capacity with ULD inventory, and reduce the unnecessary costs associated with misplaced equipment or the requirement to lease additional ULDs.

“We’re pleased to work with Swissport to increase the value of its warehouse network and the overall reach of BLE-enabled tracking locations worldwide,” said Scott Sangster, Vice President – Global Logistics Network at Descartes. “Descartes is dedicated to delivering proven innovations in IoT and real-time network technology that help make the movement of air cargo smarter and more efficient.”

About Swissport International
In 2019, Swissport International AG provided best-in-class airport ground services for some 265 million airline passengers and handled roughly 4.6 million tons of air freight in 115 cargo warehouses worldwide. Several of its warehouses have been certified for pharmaceutical logistics by IATA’s CEIV. The world's leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, with 64,000 employees, achieved consolidated operating revenue of 2.99 billion euros in 2018. At the end of December 2019, Swissport was active at 300 airports in 47 countries on six continents.
For more information, visit www.swissport.com.

About Descartes
Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance and security of logistics-intensive businesses. Descartes has over 220,000 connected parties using its cloud-based services. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, schedule, track and measure 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. Learn more at www.descartes.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Global Media Contact
Mavi Silveira                                                                                          
Tel: +1(800) 419-8495 ext. 202416                                                          
msilveira@descartes.com                                                                        

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