WATERLOO, Ontario, Jan. 15, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), a global on-demand software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions provider, has launched several new services to support emerging customs regulations and compliance standards in the United States and Mexico. These services include Ocean AMS for Mexico, Import2000 Terminal Service and Multilingual ACE-for-Trucks.
Descartes is also enhancing its Global Logistics Network Customs Compliance suite to help customers comply with the recently announced U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) "10 + 2" proposed cargo security filing. The new proposed rules will require 10 new data elements from importers or their agents 24 hours prior to vessel departure and two new message sets from ocean carriers within 48 hours of vessel departure. For more information please visit http://www.descartes.com/solutions/gln/customs_compliance.html.
Descartes' new and enhanced services are value-added applications of Descartes' Global Logistics Network (GLN) Customs Compliance Suite. The Descartes Global Logistics Network helps automate, manage and streamline the end-to-end shipment process, from source to consumer, with ongoing real-time visibility. Descartes' compliance services help companies meet regulatory requirements for international shipments for both international customs agencies and security initiatives.
"Our focus is to standardize a set of business processes across a broad community of participants. This community includes airlines, freight forwarders, inspection agencies, trucking companies, ocean liners and customs brokers -- just to name a few. These additional and enhanced customs compliance services are a natural extension of our Global Logistics Network," said Art Mesher, CEO at Descartes. "We strive to continually enhance our Global Logistics Network to help our customers standardize processes and better manage the entire shipment lifecycle, to ultimately improve their operational efficiency."
Descartes' new compliance services offerings include the following:
Descartes Ocean AMS for Mexico
New regulations were established on September 1, 2007 requiring all ocean carriers and non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) to electronically file vessel manifests with Mexican Customs 24 hours prior to vessel departure from the origin port.
Descartes' Ocean AMS for Mexico helps ocean carriers and NVOCCs comply with this new regulation. It is a web-based service for entry of ocean manifest information for shipments discharged in Mexico. Data transmitted or entered into Descartes Ocean AMS for Mexico is stored, formatted and transmitted directly to Mexican Customs in accordance with the new regulations. Its intuitive interface allows data to be entered, validated and managed prior to transmission in an encrypted EDI specification for receipt by Mexican Customs. The solution was designed to process in-bound and out-bound containers with Mexican Customs.
Descartes Import2000 Terminal
Descartes' Import2000 Terminal Service helps marine container terminals and ocean carriers know, in real-time, when ocean containers have been released from the port by CBP.
As part of CBP's focus on ocean container security, CBP receives information about ocean containers on a vessel, down the to the bill of lading level, through its Ocean Automated Manifest System (AMS). For various reasons, CBP may hold a container from being released from the marine terminal at the port of destination as CBP completes various examinations. While CBP has historically communicated this 'hold' status by manual transmissions such as fax, CBP is increasingly moving to real-time transmission of electronic messages through the AMS system.
If a marine terminal or carrier releases a container with a 'hold' status, they are subject to fines and penalties. Descartes Import2000 Terminal provides carriers and marine terminals with important real-time information from CBP about the status of containers so that containers are not prematurely released.
Descartes Import2000 Terminal is designed to be available 7 days a week, 24 hours per day with integration to the operating environments of ocean terminals, port authorities and ocean carriers. By providing a continuous data feed from CBP's ocean AMS, Descartes Import2000 Terminal enables faster, more intelligent decision-making. Information provided to users includes manifest data and bill of lading "open gate decision" status with AMS history in a selection of file formats.
Descartes Multilingual ACE-4-Trucks
In May 2007, CBP announced that all trucks entering the U.S. would be required to electronically file a manifest with CBP prior to arrival at the border. The electronic manifest must include details of the cargo, the shipper and the recipient. CBP has mandated a similar e-Manifest initiative for filings to ACE for air and ocean shipments entering the U.S. Descartes' ACE-4-Trucks Service is a web-based application that allows truckers to electronically submit waybill and trip information directly to CBP in advance of arriving at the border. Detailed report updates and email e-alerts advise users of border crossing problems or manifest errors in real-time. This application also builds profile databases for the shipper, consignee, companies, driver and equipment data used on repeated shipments.
There are over 1,000 carriers using Descartes' ACE-4-Trucks service to help them comply with CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) e-Manifest initiative, including three of the top four North American for-hire truck carriers. Now, with features such as an On-Demand Spanish or French Interface, users now have the option to enter customs e-Manifests and view and alternate between data entry screens in English, Spanish or French. Administrators can also determine preferences, create new users or add carrier codes in Spanish or French.
In addition to support for Spanish and French, the Descartes ACE-4-Trucks service includes a number of other enhancements, including:
* Create Groups Automatically: Third party carriers can create their own groups to file their own manifests * Movement Type Default Option: In addition to 'In Transit', users will also have import as a default selection for manifests * Search Profiles by City or Postal Code: In addition to searching by shipper/consignee, searches can be narrowed by geography such as city or postal code * Equipment Alternate Reference Number: Carriers can utilize and search by their own internal identification numbers used in referencing trucks and trailers.
About Descartes
Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), 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 more than 300 employees and is based in Waterloo, Ontario, with operations in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, 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; Descartes' ability to help customers comply with emerging compliance initiatives 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, changes in the structure or deployment of compliance initiatives and 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.