Descartes Announces New Port Flow Control Solutions

WATERLOO, Ontario, May 24, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes Systems Group (TSX:DSG) (Nasdaq:DSGX) announced its new Port Flow Control solutions that harness the data and connected community on Descartes' Global Logistics Network (GLN) to improve the productivity, performance and security of ocean ports.

Efficient and effective ocean ports are critical to helping economies securely and competitively advance domestic and international trade. This efficiency requires cooperation between the community members involved in moving goods in an out of a port, including ocean carriers, freight forwarders, customs brokers and truck carriers. By securely sharing and using electronic data relating to such things as shipment scheduling, booking and movement, port community members can more efficiently use the ports, and their own, limited resources.

Ports are in a constant battle to retain and attract new customers. To remain competitive, port communities must extend their reach and services to the broader logistics community, said Steve Banker, Service Director, Supply Chain Management at ARC Advisory Group. Port communities need to provide multi-party logistics services that create efficiencies across ocean supply chains by addressing the needs of the port community and its international logistics services providers, importer, and exporter customers.

Descartes' Port Flow Control solutions are designed to help manage the movement of goods into, within and out of the port. The solutions link port community members and existing systems to provide a secure platform for exchanging and accessing shipment data. This data can then be leveraged to make efficient use of assets, such as through advance notification systems for cargo pick-up and delivery; real-time scheduling of assets for cargo movement; and for secure trade lanes within the port.

Underlying Descartes' Port Flow Control solutions is Descartes' unique Global Logistics Network of over 35,000 logistics focused members and the on-demand regulatory compliance and supply chain execution services. These services streamline operations and reduce delays associated with data discrepancies and latency. With one link to Descartes' GLN, port communities can quickly gain access to the larger international logistics community and multi-party services they need to stay ahead of the competition.

Efficient seaports play a vital role in promoting trade productivity, said Cindy Yamamoto, VP Global Logistics Product Strategy at Descartes. We're excited to extend our GLN services to this new community and market to manage shipment flow at ports. Many individual port community members are already using our GLN to improve their own productivity and performance. We believe it's a logical extension for these port community members to also use the GLN to make ports more efficient, effective and secure.

About Descartes

Descartes (TSX:DSG) (Nasdaq:DSGX) is a premier provider of Global Trade Compliance, Supply Chain Execution and Mobile Resource Management services. Descartes' Global Logistics Network (GLN) unites global businesses and trading partners, allowing them to collaborate in a cost effective way and maximize productivity and efficiency. Trading partners that connect to the GLN join Descartes' Federated Network, the world's most extensive multi-modal business network with over 35,000 trading partners connected, including ground carriers, airlines, ocean carriers, freight forwarders, third-party providers of logistics services customs house brokers, freight payment agencies, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, mobile services providers and regulatory agencies. Descartes is headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and has offices in North America, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. More information and industry updates are available at http://www.descartes.com and http://blog.descartes.com.