PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 23, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- CSCMP Annual Conference -- Descartes Systems Group (TSX:DSG) (Nasdaq:DSGX), a global on-demand software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions provider, announced that Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. (Polar), a global air cargo carrier, has selected Descartes' Transportation Manager to automate the selection, execution and auditing of for-hire carriers across its network. Polar is also implementing Descartes' Cargo 2000 solution to monitor its shipments and comply with the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Cargo 2000 initiative.
"Descartes' logistics solutions offer an extensive feature set that will help us to manage selected carriers, uncover optimization opportunities and audit freight invoices for accuracy," said Randy Clark, Chief Operating Officer at Polar. "In addition, Descartes' Cargo 2000 will enable us to collect, monitor and measure our messaging services to comply with current and upcoming phases of the Cargo 2000 initiative."
Polar works with a number of contract carriers and, with Descartes' Transportation Manager, can now more effectively evaluate each carrier and make informed selection decisions. With the ability to efficiently plan and execute its shipments using automated processes, Polar can also cost-effectively manage its transportation spend. Information provided by the system includes quality report compilation, shipment status, exception alerts, route map creation, and departure time reporting.
With Descartes Cargo 2000, messages exchanged between contract carriers are collected, classified and stored on a Cargo Data Management Platform (CDMP). These messages, along with a route map, are stored for generating reports and statistics consistent with IATA's Cargo 2000 initiative.
"We were selected from a competitive field of logistics technology providers -- a testament to the proven value we deliver to our customers," said Scott Sangster, Vice President Global Logistics Network at Descartes. "By working with several of Descartes' solutions, Polar can meet the guidelines set by industry bodies and, at the same time, position itself to significantly lower its transportation costs, streamline overall administration, and ensure customer expectations are being met."
Built to accommodate the end-to-end transportation management business process, Descartes Transportation Manager supports order management through consolidation, financial settlement and auditing. Part of the Descartes Global Logistics Network(tm) (GLN), the solution features a Web-native design, works across multiple transportation modes and supports multiple currencies and languages. The GLN, which enables many of the world's leading transportation providers to connect to their trading partners and reliably exchange information to drive delivery performance and high levels of customer satisfaction, enables Descartes Transportation Manager users to easily and electronically connect with their business partners.
Descartes Cargo 2000 supports the IATA (International Air Transport Association) initiative that sets the rules for agreed business processes and automation standards within the air cargo industry. The solution allows users to monitor shipments at a master air waybill level from airport to airport, assisting users in complying with Cargo 2000 certification. Information provided by the system includes quality report compilation, shipment status, exception alerts, route map creation, and departure time reporting.
About Polar Air Cargo
Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. is a global leader in the international air cargo market, specializing in time-definite, airport-to-airport scheduled freight service. The Company provides a critical link in the international logistics chain by connecting major cargo markets in the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Far East via frequent Boeing 747 freighter service. Polar also promises a strong express network through its partnership with DHL Express, which owns a 49% stake in Polar. Polar is 51% owned by Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (AAWW) (Nasdaq:AAWW), and is based in Purchase, N.Y.
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.